Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We recently took our DS on tours of UVA, VT, Radford, JMU, and UMW.

UMW was our favorite hands down. Beautiful campus, more than enough offerings- no Greek scene (son isn't a partier), ridiculously affordable and small enough to not get lost. All the others minus Radford just seemed so huge and overwhelming. I get that the academics might be stronger at UVA and Tech, but not if you're a middle of the road undecided student.

Why isn't UMW more popular?

It's pretty far behind JMU academically too. Is it less popular than Radford?

JMU was our least favorite by a long shot and he'd be accepted there. The dorms were garbage with old AC window units. The tour didn't include the library or any academic buildings. Mostly the time was spent talking about inclusion, I kid you not. I will say the dining hall food was good and that matters to him.

Ah, you’re one of them. Talk of “inclusion” is a trigger for you.

Your kid cares about the food and doesn’t care about inclusion. Sounds like a real deep thinker. You must be so proud.

Not caring about other people's sexuality means one is dull? Is that what woke means today?

Look, let’s be honest. There’s not a kid in Virginia who has a prayer at UVA who is also looking at Radford and was turned off my talk of “inclusion” at JMU.

My hunch is that OP’s son’s best shot at a decent in state school is UMW - and then only because he’d be applying as a boy - so OP wants us to talk it up.

Uhhh, no. I'm OP. Son is a stand out baseball player and is entertaining options to play at those schools. He would not play for Tech or UVA but he could probably get in, Tech almost certainly. He didn't like UVA- said it was full of preppy nerds. We took him there so he's getting as much exposure to as many schools as possible. Like I said- UMW surprised us. If it weren't for the baseball option I'm not sure we would have visited given my misconception.

Considering that UVA has one of the most storied overall athletic programs in the country and UMW barely has one, the idea that UVA is full of “nerds” and UMW isn’t is preposterous. But good luck to your son at UMW if he’s not a fan of inclusion.

Also, if he’s truly a “stand out” baseball player why wouldn’t he play for UVA or Tech? You’re contradicting yourself.

well of course division 1 baseball is another level, UVA players are routinely being drafted to the MLB. That isn't happening from Mary Washington. He can be a local standout and go to a div 3 team and have a great experience, so there are varying levels of "standout". I know star regional and even state championships winning baseball players who play club at div 1 or do div 3.

NP. The math department at UMW seems oddly strong for a small college with a high admissions rate, especially in cryptography. Can anyone speak to that?

OP,

I'm glad you liked it! My DD just finished her first year there. It has been a good fit for her. To answer your question about why it isn't more popular... I have a few ideas. In fact, they recently sent out a survey to parents, students, and alumnae to ask what the pros and cons were and what the image is, etc.

Here's my take.
(1) as a small school, it doesn't have the "big-U"-rah-rah sports image/marketing. They do have teams and the teams do well (soccer, basketball, volleyball, and clubs for rugby and others). But, if you as a parent went to a big-state-U type of school, you might steer your kid toward that dynamic.
(2) this is a big one: I really think the name "MARY..." turns off young men in the 17-18 yr old range. Honestly, I told them to LEAN INTO marketting themselves as "UMW" and minimize the "Mary" part. Yes, I'm a feminist, but in marketing, they need to look at who their audience is, and how the audience perceives them. Most male teens are not going to want to tell their friends they are going to "MARY..." Guys are going to want to tell their friends they are going to "Christopher Newport" or "Radford" before they want to say they are going to "Mary... U."

I know the alumni would have a fit if they changed the name altogether. But, I think in the service of staying relevant and solvent, they should seriously consider renaming themselves to "UVA-Fredericksburg" or "Univ. of Central Virginia" or something else. Even using JUST "UMW" would be a start.

3. They DO have a computer science degree... and that's CRUCIAL for attracting guys. They need to AMP UP the connections for that degree (i.e. internships, etc.)

That said, their biology dept. is very strong. My DD is in that dept. They have so many great international opportunities. It IS a lot easier to get to know your advisor and professors, and they do have research opportunities. If you want to apply to medical, dental or law school, or really any grad program later, having professors who actually KNOW you is going to make a huge difference in the quality of the recommendation letters they can write on your behalf.

My DD likes the size of the campus. She likes the food. She likes the size of the classes. The campus is pretty, and it's easy to get involved in clubs/activities. It is a campus that is accepting of diversity without the typical "toxic masculinity" that you see at "big-state-U." They students are just good people.

If you are confident enough to do your own thing and not follow the pressure of the crowd that says "you must go to X, Y, or Z college" then you can have a very good experience at UMW. If you need Greek life or football Saturdays -- then this isn't going to be a good fit.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We recently took our DS on tours of UVA, VT, Radford, JMU, and UMW.

UMW was our favorite hands down. Beautiful campus, more than enough offerings- no Greek scene (son isn't a partier), ridiculously affordable and small enough to not get lost. All the others minus Radford just seemed so huge and overwhelming. I get that the academics might be stronger at UVA and Tech, but not if you're a middle of the road undecided student.

Why isn't UMW more popular?

It's pretty far behind JMU academically too. Is it less popular than Radford?

JMU was our least favorite by a long shot and he'd be accepted there. The dorms were garbage with old AC window units. The tour didn't include the library or any academic buildings. Mostly the time was spent talking about inclusion, I kid you not. I will say the dining hall food was good and that matters to him.

Ah, you’re one of them. Talk of “inclusion” is a trigger for you.

Your kid cares about the food and doesn’t care about inclusion. Sounds like a real deep thinker. You must be so proud.

Not caring about other people's sexuality means one is dull? Is that what woke means today?

Look, let’s be honest. There’s not a kid in Virginia who has a prayer at UVA who is also looking at Radford and was turned off my talk of “inclusion” at JMU.

My hunch is that OP’s son’s best shot at a decent in state school is UMW - and then only because he’d be applying as a boy - so OP wants us to talk it up.

Uhhh, no. I'm OP. Son is a stand out baseball player and is entertaining options to play at those schools. He would not play for Tech or UVA but he could probably get in, Tech almost certainly. He didn't like UVA- said it was full of preppy nerds. We took him there so he's getting as much exposure to as many schools as possible. Like I said- UMW surprised us. If it weren't for the baseball option I'm not sure we would have visited given my misconception.

Considering that UVA has one of the most storied overall athletic programs in the country and UMW barely has one, the idea that UVA is full of “nerds” and UMW isn’t is preposterous. But good luck to your son at UMW if he’s not a fan of inclusion.

Also, if he’s truly a “stand out” baseball player why wouldn’t he play for UVA or Tech? You’re contradicting yourself.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We recently took our DS on tours of UVA, VT, Radford, JMU, and UMW.

UMW was our favorite hands down. Beautiful campus, more than enough offerings- no Greek scene (son isn't a partier), ridiculously affordable and small enough to not get lost. All the others minus Radford just seemed so huge and overwhelming. I get that the academics might be stronger at UVA and Tech, but not if you're a middle of the road undecided student.

Why isn't UMW more popular?

It's pretty far behind JMU academically too. Is it less popular than Radford?

JMU was our least favorite by a long shot and he'd be accepted there. The dorms were garbage with old AC window units. The tour didn't include the library or any academic buildings. Mostly the time was spent talking about inclusion, I kid you not. I will say the dining hall food was good and that matters to him.

Ah, you’re one of them. Talk of “inclusion” is a trigger for you.

Your kid cares about the food and doesn’t care about inclusion. Sounds like a real deep thinker. You must be so proud.

Not caring about other people's sexuality means one is dull? Is that what woke means today?

Look, let’s be honest. There’s not a kid in Virginia who has a prayer at UVA who is also looking at Radford and was turned off my talk of “inclusion” at JMU.

My hunch is that OP’s son’s best shot at a decent in state school is UMW - and then only because he’d be applying as a boy - so OP wants us to talk it up.

Uhhh, no. I'm OP. Son is a stand out baseball player and is entertaining options to play at those schools. He would not play for Tech or UVA but he could probably get in, Tech almost certainly. He didn't like UVA- said it was full of preppy nerds. We took him there so he's getting as much exposure to as many schools as possible. Like I said- UMW surprised us. If it weren't for the baseball option I'm not sure we would have visited given my misconception.

Funny thing is that he thinks the UVA students are "preppy nerds" but you also called him "not a partier" Other than baseball, what IS this kid interested in? Anything?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We recently took our DS on tours of UVA, VT, Radford, JMU, and UMW.

UMW was our favorite hands down. Beautiful campus, more than enough offerings- no Greek scene (son isn't a partier), ridiculously affordable and small enough to not get lost. All the others minus Radford just seemed so huge and overwhelming. I get that the academics might be stronger at UVA and Tech, but not if you're a middle of the road undecided student.

Why isn't UMW more popular?

It's pretty far behind JMU academically too. Is it less popular than Radford?

LMAO. The entering class at MWU has better stats than JMU. But please continue with your delusions.

DP: They seem to be very close academically. UMW has slightly higher SATs and % submitting SATs, JMU has slightly higher HS GPA.
JMU
26% of students submit SAT scores
Range: 1160-1310
GPA: 3.62-4.12

UMW
30% of students submit SAT scores
Range: 1170-1330
GPA: 3.33-4.06

My child was not interested because it didn't offer the program of studies he wanted. It seemed like it could be a good option for others.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We recently took our DS on tours of UVA, VT, Radford, JMU, and UMW.

UMW was our favorite hands down. Beautiful campus, more than enough offerings- no Greek scene (son isn't a partier), ridiculously affordable and small enough to not get lost. All the others minus Radford just seemed so huge and overwhelming. I get that the academics might be stronger at UVA and Tech, but not if you're a middle of the road undecided student.

Why isn't UMW more popular?

It's pretty far behind JMU academically too. Is it less popular than Radford?

LMAO. The entering class at MWU has better stats than JMU. But please continue with your delusions.

JMU is trash. Literally any other school in the state is better. I'd pick ODU over JMU.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We recently took our DS on tours of UVA, VT, Radford, JMU, and UMW.

UMW was our favorite hands down. Beautiful campus, more than enough offerings- no Greek scene (son isn't a partier), ridiculously affordable and small enough to not get lost. All the others minus Radford just seemed so huge and overwhelming. I get that the academics might be stronger at UVA and Tech, but not if you're a middle of the road undecided student.

Why isn't UMW more popular?

It's pretty far behind JMU academically too. Is it less popular than Radford?

LMAO. The entering class at MWU has better stats than JMU. But please continue with your delusions.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We recently took our DS on tours of UVA, VT, Radford, JMU, and UMW.

UMW was our favorite hands down. Beautiful campus, more than enough offerings- no Greek scene (son isn't a partier), ridiculously affordable and small enough to not get lost. All the others minus Radford just seemed so huge and overwhelming. I get that the academics might be stronger at UVA and Tech, but not if you're a middle of the road undecided student.

Why isn't UMW more popular?

Well you may have answered your own question. Many students, especially around here, don't want to go to the 149th ranked LAC with a bunch of "middle of the road undecided students." But if you liked it, by all means apply. It shouldn't be that hard to get in since the acceptance rate is 82%.

What a snarky and incorrect statement. About 95% of my DD's and DS's friends had literally no clue what they wanted to study when they left for school. And the ones that were certain they wanted to study medicine and computer science ended up studying education and engineering. A junior in HS is very different than a sophomore in college.

Really? Just go ahead and fill out a college application these days and tell them you "literally have no clue what you want to study." I think that'd go into the reject pile pronto. Except maybe at schools like UMW with acceptance rates of 82%, and even they might have second thought on such an applicant.

Having a bad morning, are you?

I'm sure it's a very fine school. And so is Christopher Newport and some of the other less selective colleges. Your kid can have a good experience at any of these, and maybe even get a good job afterwards.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We recently took our DS on tours of UVA, VT, Radford, JMU, and UMW.

UMW was our favorite hands down. Beautiful campus, more than enough offerings- no Greek scene (son isn't a partier), ridiculously affordable and small enough to not get lost. All the others minus Radford just seemed so huge and overwhelming. I get that the academics might be stronger at UVA and Tech, but not if you're a middle of the road undecided student.

Why isn't UMW more popular?

It's pretty far behind JMU academically too. Is it less popular than Radford?

JMU was our least favorite by a long shot and he'd be accepted there. The dorms were garbage with old AC window units. The tour didn't include the library or any academic buildings. Mostly the time was spent talking about inclusion, I kid you not. I will say the dining hall food was good and that matters to him.

Ah, you’re one of them. Talk of “inclusion” is a trigger for you.

Your kid cares about the food and doesn’t care about inclusion. Sounds like a real deep thinker. You must be so proud.

Not caring about other people's sexuality means one is dull? Is that what woke means today?

Look, let’s be honest. There’s not a kid in Virginia who has a prayer at UVA who is also looking at Radford and was turned off my talk of “inclusion” at JMU.

My hunch is that OP’s son’s best shot at a decent in state school is UMW - and then only because he’d be applying as a boy - so OP wants us to talk it up.

Uhhh, no. I'm OP. Son is a stand out baseball player and is entertaining options to play at those schools. He would not play for Tech or UVA but he could probably get in, Tech almost certainly. He didn't like UVA- said it was full of preppy nerds. We took him there so he's getting as much exposure to as many schools as possible. Like I said- UMW surprised us. If it weren't for the baseball option I'm not sure we would have visited given my misconception.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We recently took our DS on tours of UVA, VT, Radford, JMU, and UMW.

UMW was our favorite hands down. Beautiful campus, more than enough offerings- no Greek scene (son isn't a partier), ridiculously affordable and small enough to not get lost. All the others minus Radford just seemed so huge and overwhelming. I get that the academics might be stronger at UVA and Tech, but not if you're a middle of the road undecided student.

Why isn't UMW more popular?

It's pretty far behind JMU academically too. Is it less popular than Radford?

JMU was our least favorite by a long shot and he'd be accepted there. The dorms were garbage with old AC window units. The tour didn't include the library or any academic buildings. Mostly the time was spent talking about inclusion, I kid you not. I will say the dining hall food was good and that matters to him.

Ah, you’re one of them. Talk of “inclusion” is a trigger for you.

Your kid cares about the food and doesn’t care about inclusion. Sounds like a real deep thinker. You must be so proud.

Not caring about other people's sexuality means one is dull? Is that what woke means today?

Look, let’s be honest. There’s not a kid in Virginia who has a prayer at UVA who is also looking at Radford and was turned off my talk of “inclusion” at JMU.

My hunch is that OP’s son’s best shot at a decent in state school is UMW - and then only because he’d be applying as a boy - so OP wants us to talk it up.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We recently took our DS on tours of UVA, VT, Radford, JMU, and UMW.

UMW was our favorite hands down. Beautiful campus, more than enough offerings- no Greek scene (son isn't a partier), ridiculously affordable and small enough to not get lost. All the others minus Radford just seemed so huge and overwhelming. I get that the academics might be stronger at UVA and Tech, but not if you're a middle of the road undecided student.

Why isn't UMW more popular?

It's pretty far behind JMU academically too. Is it less popular than Radford?

JMU was our least favorite by a long shot and he'd be accepted there. The dorms were garbage with old AC window units. The tour didn't include the library or any academic buildings. Mostly the time was spent talking about inclusion, I kid you not. I will say the dining hall food was good and that matters to him.

Ah, you’re one of them. Talk of “inclusion” is a trigger for you.

Your kid cares about the food and doesn’t care about inclusion. Sounds like a real deep thinker. You must be so proud.

Not caring about other people's sexuality means one is dull? Is that what woke means today?

DD applied to UMW and we liked a lot about it. Pretty campus, good size, seemed to have a lot of personal attention and a robust department with multiple majors in her area of interest. She also liked the lack of Greek life. It would have been her cheapest option. But, she didn't like that it was so close to home and it didn't have an extracurricular that was really important to her. So she's going to a smaller OOS LAC that has a lot of the same things + the EC she wants.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We recently took our DS on tours of UVA, VT, Radford, JMU, and UMW.

UMW was our favorite hands down. Beautiful campus, more than enough offerings- no Greek scene (son isn't a partier), ridiculously affordable and small enough to not get lost. All the others minus Radford just seemed so huge and overwhelming. I get that the academics might be stronger at UVA and Tech, but not if you're a middle of the road undecided student.

Why isn't UMW more popular?

It's pretty far behind JMU academically too. Is it less popular than Radford?

JMU was our least favorite by a long shot and he'd be accepted there. The dorms were garbage with old AC window units. The tour didn't include the library or any academic buildings. Mostly the time was spent talking about inclusion, I kid you not. I will say the dining hall food was good and that matters to him.

Ah, you’re one of them. Talk of “inclusion” is a trigger for you.

Your kid cares about the food and doesn’t care about inclusion. Sounds like a real deep thinker. You must be so proud.