Anonymous
Post 04/29/2026 07:29     Subject: Was JMU always so popular
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Yes popular VA instate back up to UVA, VT, and W&M.


That was my point earlier that other posters didn't get. No one was "striving" to get to JMU. It's a fantastic school, but it was not popular in the early 00's. It was a back up plan.


Ha! I was certainly "striving" to get into JMU around that time. I didn't get in and was crushed. Maybe speak for yourself?
DP


If you had 1050 SAT
Anonymous
Post 04/29/2026 05:00     Subject: Was JMU always so popular
I was surprised to see that Jmu’s acceptance rate is 72%.
Anonymous
Post 04/29/2026 00:37     Subject: Was JMU always so popular
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:In the 90s people called it “Just Missed Uva” lots of people from my high school in Fairfax county went there. Lots of people from NJ too.


Why has it declined so much.


It hasn't. It’s still the choice along with VT for in state kids who Just Missed UVA. Where else?

For the vast majority of kids it’s the back up to VT as well


JMU’s biggest flaw is that it has 3 other more selective in state schools that are also a bargain relative to out of state or private choices. But it’s academically on par or the same selectivity as a lot of other public/out of state schools like Indiana, Penn State, Ohio State, Michigan State, U Delaware, U Mass, Pitt etc.

For Virginians it’s $35k a year COA, so much cheaper than these out of state choices.

For OOS, it’s still only about $50-55k, about the same as other out of states but not as large or far away.

Plus, employers think of it positively and I know a lot of people who have jobs after coming out of this school. Including some VPs and above at my Fortune 500 company.



+100
Anonymous
Post 04/28/2026 23:42     Subject: Was JMU always so popular
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:In the 90s people called it “Just Missed Uva” lots of people from my high school in Fairfax county went there. Lots of people from NJ too.


Why has it declined so much.


It hasn't. It’s still the choice along with VT for in state kids who Just Missed UVA. Where else?

For the vast majority of kids it’s the back up to VT as well


JMU’s biggest flaw is that it has 3 other more selective in state schools that are also a bargain relative to out of state or private choices. But it’s academically on par or the same selectivity as a lot of other public/out of state schools like Indiana, Penn State, Ohio State, Michigan State, U Delaware, U Mass, Pitt etc.

For Virginians it’s $35k a year COA, so much cheaper than these out of state choices.

For OOS, it’s still only about $50-55k, about the same as other out of states but not as large or far away.

Plus, employers think of it positively and I know a lot of people who have jobs after coming out of this school. Including some VPs and above at my Fortune 500 company.

Ummm, no.
-JMU grad and reliable donor
Anonymous
Post 04/28/2026 23:10     Subject: Was JMU always so popular
Anonymous wrote:I hate driving on 81 more than almost any other roads around here. If I had to do it regularly, or my college aged student was, I'd lose it.


So strange. I drive hundreds of miles on 81 several times a year to visit family… I find it so much nicer than any of the 95s. What do you dislike about 81?
Anonymous
Post 04/28/2026 23:07     Subject: Was JMU always so popular
Anonymous wrote:Our kids mulled it, but in the end, they didn't feel like they would quite fit in, socially. Our kids are very bright, but artsy and more introverted, individualistic types, definitely not Greek system material. Our kids have ended up at schools where they could blend in seamlessly without a second glance. Where they can streak and dye their hair on occasion and nobody will notice or care, wear quirky thrift store finds instead of Lululemon and American Eagle Outfitters, or whatever. In the end, it's all about fit. Every kid has to go on feel and pick the school where they walk on to the campus and say: this is me, this is my vibe. We all thought the gym was very nice, though!


I have two kids at JMU and neither had any interest in Greek life. Oh, and they often wear thrifted clothes and have lots of likeminded friends. I think you are really over-generalizing the student population. It's only about 20% Greek.
Anonymous
Post 04/28/2026 23:04     Subject: Was JMU always so popular
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Yes popular VA instate back up to UVA, VT, and W&M.


That was my point earlier that other posters didn't get. No one was "striving" to get to JMU. It's a fantastic school, but it was not popular in the early 00's. It was a back up plan.


Ha! I was certainly "striving" to get into JMU around that time. I didn't get in and was crushed. Maybe speak for yourself?
DP
Anonymous
Post 04/28/2026 23:03     Subject: Was JMU always so popular
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:In the 90s people called it “Just Missed Uva” lots of people from my high school in Fairfax county went there. Lots of people from NJ too.


Why has it declined so much.


It hasn't? What a weird take.
Anonymous
Post 04/28/2026 23:02     Subject: Was JMU always so popular
Anonymous wrote:I hate driving on 81 more than almost any other roads around here. If I had to do it regularly, or my college aged student was, I'd lose it.


Meh, I've gotten used to it having kids at both JMU and VT. And it's a beautiful drive, especially the farther south you go.
Anonymous
Post 04/28/2026 15:51     Subject: Re:Was JMU always so popular
Anonymous wrote:I personally know two JMU graduates, with Bachelor's degrees only, who are CFOs of their respective companies.


Their business school is the star of the university.
Anonymous
Post 04/28/2026 15:45     Subject: Re:Was JMU always so popular
I personally know two JMU graduates, with Bachelor's degrees only, who are CFOs of their respective companies.
Anonymous
Post 04/28/2026 14:51     Subject: Was JMU always so popular
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:In the 90s people called it “Just Missed Uva” lots of people from my high school in Fairfax county went there. Lots of people from NJ too.


Why has it declined so much.


It hasn't. It’s still the choice along with VT for in state kids who Just Missed UVA. Where else?

For the vast majority of kids it’s the back up to VT as well


JMU’s biggest flaw is that it has 3 other more selective in state schools that are also a bargain relative to out of state or private choices. But it’s academically on par or the same selectivity as a lot of other public/out of state schools like Indiana, Penn State, Ohio State, Michigan State, U Delaware, U Mass, Pitt etc.

For Virginians it’s $35k a year COA, so much cheaper than these out of state choices.

For OOS, it’s still only about $50-55k, about the same as other out of states but not as large or far away.

Plus, employers think of it positively and I know a lot of people who have jobs after coming out of this school. Including some VPs and above at my Fortune 500 company.

Anonymous
Post 04/28/2026 14:49     Subject: Was JMU always so popular
If you live in Maryland, then it probably appeals to students becuase it's still pretty close to home and not in a dumpy area like UMD is and it's better than all of the other MD state school options.
I grew up in MD, but went to a private HS in DC. JMU was very popular in the 90s as a Just Missed the U (UVA) place to go.
Anonymous
Post 04/28/2026 14:44     Subject: Was JMU always so popular
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:In the 90s people called it “Just Missed Uva” lots of people from my high school in Fairfax county went there. Lots of people from NJ too.


Why has it declined so much.


It hasn't. It’s still the choice along with VT for in state kids who Just Missed UVA. Where else?

For the vast majority of kids it’s the back up to VT as well
Anonymous
Post 04/28/2026 14:40     Subject: Was JMU always so popular
Anonymous wrote:Football team and coach/x-coaches in national spotlight. Brings more eyes to the school.


It was also one of the later colleges to go on the common app. Ever since it went on the common app about four years ago, applications have increased exponentially.