As a Mary Washington grad (and UVA medical school grad), I find this thread to be ridiculous.

Look, we are incredibly lucky that there are so many schools in Virginia where a student can get in-state tuition and an excellent education. I thrived at Mary Washington and really found my niche. Having attended UVA for medical school, I am pretty certain I wouldn't have enjoyed it as an undergrad. I needed a smaller liberal arts type experience and I had no interest in greek life or sports, etc. But other people do! And that's okay! There is literally a fit for almost everyone in the state. We are so lucky to have these options, people.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is how I judge: where do I hire from, and where did the people from the coffee shop go.

I hire from Tech, UVA, and W & M. JMU -- I never found the students from JMU compelling. I hire math, physics, geosciences, EE and ME.

No one has to explain Tech, UVA or W & M.


At the coffee shop. I see several from Mary Washington, and several from CNU.

This is truly one of the most idiotic posts ever. As if we're supposed to believe you interrogate the baristas re: where they went to college. Nice try, though.

I treat the baristas as humans. I talk to them about many things. I am a regular, and see them every day. The subjects have come up.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Neighbor's DS chose to join the Marines and after serving took his $$$ for school and chose UNC Chapel Hill over all the VA schools, including UVA.

Doesn't it makes more sense to go to college first with ROTC money and then have a better [officer] rank?

It isn't always "better" to be an officer (and I say this as a wife of a retired officer.) Depending on what he wants to do in the Marines, there are many billets/MOS that are exclusively for enlisted. Some enlisted members decide to get their commission after serving 4 years and going to college, many would even say that those who are prior enlisted make better officers.

Anonymous wrote:Neighbor's DS chose to join the Marines and after serving took his $$$ for school and chose UNC Chapel Hill over all the VA schools, including UVA.

Doesn't it makes more sense to go to college first with ROTC money and then have a better [officer] rank?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are the lower tier schools really "on the rise" or are we just becoming more (or less?) realistic in our assessments as our kids reach college age?

Mason has been on the rise for two decades. It just ain’t happening.

Mason has hit the no 1 "up and coming lists" for USN&WR, etc. for the last few years. Read its wiki and look into Mason Korea.

Pass.

Anonymous wrote:Here is how I judge: where do I hire from, and where did the people from the coffee shop go.

I hire from Tech, UVA, and W & M. JMU -- I never found the students from JMU compelling. I hire math, physics, geosciences, EE and ME.

No one has to explain Tech, UVA or W & M.


At the coffee shop. I see several from Mary Washington, and several from CNU.

This is truly one of the most idiotic posts ever. As if we're supposed to believe you interrogate the baristas re: where they went to college. Nice try, though.

Anonymous wrote:Friends DS, who probably could have gotten into any of the state schools, fell in love with CNU and seems to be doing really well in the Amy ROTC program there.

+1
I keep hearing wonderful things about CNU.

W&M
UVA
The Rest

Neighbor's DS chose to join the Marines and after serving took his $$$ for school and chose UNC Chapel Hill over all the VA schools, including UVA.

Friends DS, who probably could have gotten into any of the state schools, fell in love with CNU and seems to be doing really well in the Amy ROTC program there.

Kid #1 is a current student at UVA. Kid #2 is a junior in a NOVA high school and is a different type of student. He will be applying to the so-called consolation prize schools in Virginia. This does not bother him in the least. For him, VT is a reach school.

He is interested in the military and at this point plans to go to college first and then look at his options to go into the Army as an officer. Corp of Cadets at VT, VMI and even Naval Academy we have toured, and he wasn't interested and/or doesn't have the stats. Any suggestions for this type of student as to which schools would be a good fit?

Anonymous wrote:Top 3 schools in the state

UVA
W&M
Tech

The rest are like a consolation prize. Everyone gets a medal

Unfortunately, 100% right. This is all.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Top 3 schools in the state

UVA
W&M
Tech

The rest are like a consolation prize. Everyone gets a medal

This seems to accurately reflect what students at our NOVA public school thinks. Most of the better students will consider these 3 schools (whether as matches or safeties depending on their academics) but not the others.

Sadly, that might reflect the snobs we have brought them up to be, rather than what various schools actullay offer.

So true - parents are to blame for so much unhappiness around here. Positive, successful people - the ones in coveted and influential leadership positions - do NOT think this way - ever.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Top 3 schools in the state

UVA
W&M
Tech

The rest are like a consolation prize. Everyone gets a medal

This seems to accurately reflect what students at our NOVA public school thinks. Most of the better students will consider these 3 schools (whether as matches or safeties depending on their academics) but not the others.

Sadly, that might reflect the snobs we have brought them up to be, rather than what various schools actullay offer.

Anonymous wrote:Here is how I judge: where do I hire from, and where did the people from the coffee shop go.

I hire from Tech, UVA, and W & M. JMU -- I never found the students from JMU compelling. I hire math, physics, geosciences, EE and ME.

No one has to explain Tech, UVA or W & M.
At the coffee shop. I see several from Mary Washington, and several from CNU.

I am in consulting and have several JMU alums working for me. They are technically competent and have good social skills that help build good relationships with clients and peers.
However, I have wide latitude wrt majors. English, Econ or even Anthro major will not disqualify a candidate from consideration.
I have no time to go to coffee shops, so no insight into this dark underside of life.