Anonymous
Post 04/30/2026 08:21     Subject: Was JMU always so popular
It’s a university that prioritizes teaching undergraduates, which is really something special. Most of the flagships you hear about here get their ratings because of research and graduate programs. This doesn’t make them bad schools or anything, they just don’t have the same focus on undergrad teaching.

JMU is also insanely affordable for in-state. Not sure about the OOS cost.

Anonymous
Post 04/30/2026 08:00     Subject: Was JMU always so popular
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I was surprised to see that Jmu’s acceptance rate is 72%.


In-state is 66%.
https://research.schev.edu/iProfile//232423/James-Madison-University



Yes, I list the acceptance rate of instate (66%) and out of state (78%) averaged. Still not as competitive as I expected.


JMU is not very competitive overall but it has gotten MUCH more competitive at certain high schools in Northern Virginia, partly because it has become less of a regional school. If kids from Massachusetts are taking up more spots, it leaves fewer spots for in-state kids. And when some NOVA high schools have enormous numbers applying, many of these students will get shut out. Our high school counselor told my kid that it was a "reach" at our school for anyone under 4.0W, which I knew was an exaggeration, but still, I do know decent students who got turned down.
Anonymous
Post 04/30/2026 07:58     Subject: Was JMU always so popular
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
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.


But the Greek system runs the social life there, it was obvious to the naked eye. The program kid wanted is stronger at other state schools. Campus was too spread out, buses required. Kid was driving their own decision and ended up at a school that outranks JMU in chosen fields (major and minor) and has stronger national name recognition. If kid moves to the West Coast, people will still know the name. JMU they would have to google.


Glad you and your kid are happy with where he/she landed, but that first sentence is just not accurate.
Anonymous
Post 04/30/2026 07:54     Subject: Was JMU always so popular
Anonymous wrote:
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.


But the Greek system runs the social life there, it was obvious to the naked eye. The program kid wanted is stronger at other state schools. Campus was too spread out, buses required. Kid was driving their own decision and ended up at a school that outranks JMU in chosen fields (major and minor) and has stronger national name recognition. If kid moves to the West Coast, people will still know the name. JMU they would have to google.
Anonymous
Post 04/29/2026 22:41     Subject: Was JMU always so popular
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I was surprised to see that Jmu’s acceptance rate is 72%.


In-state is 66%.
https://research.schev.edu/iProfile//232423/James-Madison-University



Yes, I list the acceptance rate of instate (66%) and out of state (78%) averaged. Still not as competitive as I expected.


JMU is a good school in a beautiful environment. With a small endowment, it is dependent on keeping the place completely full for tuition revenue. My parents school Illinois State is similar in that each school really has to reload each year for 20,000 students. Both benefit from the difficulties in obtaining admission from their respective flagships.
Anonymous
Post 04/29/2026 22:31     Subject: Was JMU always so popular
It’s very affordable instate and still pretty affordable out of state.
Anonymous
Post 04/29/2026 22:30     Subject: Was JMU always so popular
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
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

Only 16% submit SAT, so that's not correct.


19%. And the average range is 1210-1370.

https://www.jmu.edu/admissions/fastfacts.shtml

16%
https://www.jmu.edu/pair/ir/common-data-set/index.shtml
Anonymous
Post 04/29/2026 22:02     Subject: Was JMU always so popular
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I was surprised to see that Jmu’s acceptance rate is 72%.


In-state is 66%.
https://research.schev.edu/iProfile//232423/James-Madison-University



Yes, I list the acceptance rate of instate (66%) and out of state (78%) averaged. Still not as competitive as I expected.
Anonymous
Post 04/29/2026 22:01     Subject: Was JMU always so popular
Anonymous wrote:Maybe it was popular but it was looked on as a not so smart kid school. I went to another school in VA in the early 2000’s


Yes, we can tell. No one ever looked at JMU like that, sorry.
Anonymous
Post 04/29/2026 21:59     Subject: Was JMU always so popular
Anonymous wrote:
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!


If your kids weren’t into it, fine, of course. But this is just kind of a weird comment. JMU has a great art school and performing arts programs, as well. No one’s gonna bat an eye at streaked hair, lol.


Very true. My neighbor's daughter goes there and is quite "alternative," very involved in theater and has a similar friend group. JMU has all kinds of people.
Anonymous
Post 04/29/2026 21:58     Subject: Was JMU always so popular
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
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

Only 16% submit SAT, so that's not correct.


19%. And the average range is 1210-1370.

https://www.jmu.edu/admissions/fastfacts.shtml
Anonymous
Post 04/29/2026 21:54     Subject: Was JMU always so popular
Anonymous wrote:I was surprised to see that Jmu’s acceptance rate is 72%.


In-state is 66%.
https://research.schev.edu/iProfile//232423/James-Madison-University
Anonymous
Post 04/29/2026 21:50     Subject: Was JMU always so popular
Anonymous wrote:
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.


It's not that bad if you time it right. Driving to VaTech is worse.


Well, VT is two hours further but it's not any worse - just longer. And quite beautiful.
DP
Anonymous
Post 04/29/2026 13:04     Subject: Was JMU always so popular
Parents that worry about their college age students driving on 81 should worry about their children driving, period. It’s not a difficult road to drive, it just has traffic backups a lot.
Anonymous
Post 04/29/2026 12:52     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.


It's not that bad if you time it right. Driving to VaTech is worse.