Anonymous wrote:FWIW, I would focus on fit. If your kid is someone who will thrive almost anywhere, JMU could be great choice. The kids we know there (or recent grads) are happy and have strong affinity for the university. UVA is great choice too. Good luck to your student!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

the ones who went to UVA ... they are still talking how they went to UVA

So true. And a reason many are turned-off. When I'm in a room w/grads from Michigan, Ivies, UVA, it's UVA making sure you know they went to UVA.

+100
They have really convinced themselves that they’re somehow more special than everyone else. Honestly, not sure I’d want my kids around people with such chips on their shoulders and delusions of grandeur.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In all honesty there’s no justification for overpaying for a UVA degree when the desired career tops out at $100k after grad school. Any “connections” will be of little or no use. Essentially, your fellow alumni would likely look down on the graduate for their chosen profession. It’s sad but true.

It’s not true. OP has no idea where her child will end up or in what major. 80% of all
students change their major at least once. UVA gives the child the greatest springboard in almost every field. If we are talking about in $13,000 in full tuition at JMU, that’s nothing compared to what a UVA experience could give this kid.

DP. You are a broken record with your “80%” claim on every thread. You seem to mistakenly think UVA is the only school that could possibly offer other majors should the student decide to change. Please stop the delusions. JMU offers a fantastic experience and education in myriad majors. There’s no way I’d pay for UVA if I had a full ride to JMU, or to many other schools, for that matter.

Is the National Center for Education Statistics good enough for you. Please read and learn.

“Based on various reports from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and academic studies, it is highly common for college students to change their majors.
Around 80% of college students in the U.S. change their major at least once.

On average, college students change their major at least three times over the course of their college career.

While some data indicates about 30% of undergraduates change their major within the first three years, others show 50-75% or up to 80% change their major at some point before graduation.

It is often considered a normal part of the college experience for students to explore new interests and refine their career goals.

Contrary to the belief that this delays graduation, some research suggests students who switch majors can have a higher graduation rate (82-84%) when they find a better fit. “

The quibble isn't about whether kids change their majors - of course they do! The issue is that you are constantly trying[url] to tout UVA as the *only* school one should attend if there's even a chance the student will need to change their major. [b] You just sound utterly absurd every time you post this. JMU is a great school with a wide variety of majors to choose from. My own kids changed their majors while attending JMU with no problem. Please stop repeating yourself.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In all honesty there’s no justification for overpaying for a UVA degree when the desired career tops out at $100k after grad school. Any “connections” will be of little or no use. Essentially, your fellow alumni would likely look down on the graduate for their chosen profession. It’s sad but true.

It’s not true. OP has no idea where her child will end up or in what major. 80% of all
students change their major at least once. UVA gives the child the greatest springboard in almost every field. If we are talking about in $13,000 in full tuition at JMU, that’s nothing compared to what a UVA experience could give this kid.

DP. You are a broken record with your “80%” claim on every thread. You seem to mistakenly think UVA is the only school that could possibly offer other majors should the student decide to change. Please stop the delusions. JMU offers a fantastic experience and education in myriad majors. There’s no way I’d pay for UVA if I had a full ride to JMU, or to many other schools, for that matter.

Is the National Center for Education Statistics good enough for you. Please read and learn.

“Based on various reports from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and academic studies, it is highly common for college students to change their majors.
Around 80% of college students in the U.S. change their major at least once.

On average, college students change their major at least three times over the course of their college career.

While some data indicates about 30% of undergraduates change their major within the first three years, others show 50-75% or up to 80% change their major at some point before graduation.

It is often considered a normal part of the college experience for students to explore new interests and refine their career goals.

Contrary to the belief that this delays graduation, some research suggests students who switch majors can have a higher graduation rate (82-84%) when they find a better fit. “

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In all honesty there’s no justification for overpaying for a UVA degree when the desired career tops out at $100k after grad school. Any “connections” will be of little or no use. Essentially, your fellow alumni would likely look down on the graduate for their chosen profession. It’s sad but true.

It’s not true. OP has no idea where her child will end up or in what major. 80% of all
students change their major at least once. UVA gives the child the greatest springboard in almost every field. If we are talking about in $13,000 in full tuition at JMU, that’s nothing compared to what a UVA experience could give this kid.

DP. You are a broken record with your “80%” claim on every thread. You seem to mistakenly think UVA is the only school that could possibly offer other majors should the student decide to change. Please stop the delusions. JMU offers a fantastic experience and education in myriad majors. There’s no way I’d pay for UVA if I had a full ride to JMU, or to many other schools, for that matter.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

the ones who went to UVA ... they are still talking how they went to UVA

So true. And a reason many are turned-off. When I'm in a room w/grads from Michigan, Ivies, UVA, it's UVA making sure you know they went to UVA.

+100
They have really convinced themselves that they’re somehow more special than everyone else. Honestly, not sure I’d want my kids around people with such chips on their shoulders and delusions of grandeur.

Anonymous wrote:

the ones who went to UVA ... they are still talking how they went to UVA

So true. And a reason many are turned-off. When I'm in a room w/grads from Michigan, Ivies, UVA, it's UVA making sure you know they went to UVA.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What if the kid changes their major? A lot do. UVA will give the kid more options.

How many wanna be teachers, nurses and social workers end up in IB or PE?

There are definitely people who do Teach for America for a few years and then end up pivoting and going into a field where they can make $$$$. I work with several former TfAers who are doing very well. Plus the kids college friends/peer group will likely end up being wealthier and more successful as adults if the kid goes to UVA, which with lead to a better network/increases chances of marrying someone who is successful. As a PP said, there are no sure things in life but it sounds like the OP can stretch and pay for UVA and I bet that investment has a more than 50/50 chance of paying off.

I wouldn’t bet $80,000 on a 50/50 Mrs. degree.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:no shade to JMU but it's a huge difference in the job market overall, no matter the major. My grads are always been told, "wow UVA!" when they interview and it definitely makes an impression. I know that's anecdotal
but UVA in state is not that expensive, and the reputational difference is a wide gulf.

As a hiring manager in a competitive field, I focus more on the individual, their internships, their activities, and their demeanor more than where they went to school. JMU allows a kid to stand out and have opportunities that they may not have at a hyper competitive school like UVA - I have one of each on my team and both are hard workers and really smart. If I didn't know, I could not tell you which person went to UVA and which one went to JMU.

I guess one data point is better than none.

Anonymous wrote:What if the kid changes their major? A lot do. UVA will give the kid more options.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In all honesty there’s no justification for overpaying for a UVA degree when the desired career tops out at $100k after grad school. Any “connections” will be of little or no use. Essentially, your fellow alumni would likely look down on the graduate for their chosen profession. It’s sad but true.

It’s not true. OP has no idea where her child will end up or in what major. 80% of all
students change their major at least once. UVA gives the child the greatest springboard in almost every field. If we are talking about in $13,000 in full tuition at JMU, that’s nothing compared to what a UVA experience could give this kid.

the ones who went to UVA ... they are still talking how they went to UVA