James Madison University

In my honest opinion, even though I was eventually kicked out of school for legal troubles, James Madison is a great school. I will list how I feel about different areas of the school.

Student Body (B+)=Students are extremely friendly and helpful, but a big part of this school revolves around sorority sluts and fraternity idiots. (I was in a fraternity so don't think that I am just saying this because I didn't have friends and I dated 2 sorority girls, so don't judge me in that department either.)

Professors (A)= The professors are all approachable and extremely helpful. They are all knowledgable and creative when it comes to assignments.

Classes (A-)= The classes can be challenging and difficult, especially the business school, but overall are interesting and fair.

Surrounding Town (F)= Harrisonburg is the lamest town I have ever been to and there is absolutely nothing to do, but get drunk and smell the sweet smells of chicken shit.

Campus (A-)= This is one of the most beautiful campuses I have ever seen, but don't get me wrong some of the Florida, California, and Arizona schools are a little better.

2nd Year Male -- Class 2010

Individual Value: A, Surrounding City: F

Over four years ago, I had a tough decision to make: Georgetown, Wake Forest, UNC, UVA, or JMU. There were other schools, but I never really had the intention of attending them. Georgetown, Wake Forest, and UNC were my top choices, but at the time these schools seemed to cost too much (I would've been out-of-state for UNC). Also, my parents preferred UVA and JMU because they were closer to home. After visiting both schools in the spring, I decided on JMU (I hate to admit it, but I chose JMU because I saw more attractive females during my visit to JMU than I did during my visit to UVA. I advise anyone who plans to attend college to not make their final decision on something as trivial as this).

My years at JMU have been alright, but not as great as I would've liked them to be. The first year wasn't bad, but the party scene got old and even the appeal of the campus dies out fast. Soon after that first year I came to realize that there wasn't much to do at JMU. Now I'm not saying that I'm angry at my decision to attend JMU; however, it's just that when I look back my past four years, I don't think I've really developed into the college grad that I wanted to be. Sure, I have a very solid GPA, but college should be more than just getting good grades and partying. Well, enough with this rambling, let me give you the positives and negatives of this university from my P.O.V.

postives: some professors are truely caring and are unforgettable, Cranberry Farms is pretty good, springs seasons are nice (especially after a cold and windy winter), greater female to male ratio

negatives: student body is not very diverse, some professors are miserable jackasses, the cold winters, D-hall (the food is terrible!), not much of a social scene outside of campus (there is nothing much to do in Harrisonburg beside partying), secluded environment (far away from major metropolitan cities, but some may actually like this), overcast skies is the norm in the Shenandoah Valley, minimal student housing on campus, freshmen prohibited from bringing cars to campus, General Education requirements, obnoxious guys at parties who want to start a fight with any other male, lots of rednecks in the town of Harrisonburg (some are indifferent and others are simply bitter towards college kids, and a student body that doesn't seem very motivated (there are probably some, but perhaps I've hung out with the wrong crowd). Also, JMU is technically a commuter campus (JMU representatives may inform you that JMU is unlike its sibling university, George Mason, because just about all the students who live on campus remain on campus, even during the weekends. What these representatives didn't tell you is that most of these students are freshmen and aren't allowed to bring their cars to campus, thereby limiting their means to leave).

neutrals (can be positive or negative based on your P.O.V.): lots or partying and lots of alcohol, small time sports programs (don't expect to see anything similar to the likes of programs at bigger Division I schools, but then again, unless you're an athlete, you should be going to college for its academics, not its sports), predominantly white campus (like 90% white, which I don't mind b/c I'm white, but just a notice for those of you who are minorities), financial aid wasn't that bad since I was in-state (however, with the grants and scholarships I was offered at Georgetown, I would only have been about 13K deeper in debt over four years had I decided to go to that school) and I heard out-of-state wasn't that bad, but a friend of my from New Jersey says that all she gets for financial aid is eligibility to pull out loans (in my opinion, that's not really financial aid). I hope this is helpful to anyone considering going to college in the near future or whenever. JMU is not a bad school; though, given the chance to go back, I would not. Rather, I would like to see how things would turn out at another school. A little more advice is to visit the schools, and if possible, see what the schools are like during the winter (after all, you're going to have to deal with the winters for the next four years or more). Also, spend at least a day visiting the community surrounding a particular campus. Last, but not least, listen to other people's views about a school, but do so knowing that these views are based on opinions and what may be favorable or unfavorable to one person may be opposite to you.

4th Year Male -- Class 2007

Collaboration/Competitive: B, University Resource Use/ spending: D-

This is my second year at JMU and my second year playing on one of their Division 1 sport teams. Had I not chosen to play my sport in college, I more than likely would not have found myself at JMU, but the schools I would have picked don't have my sport, so here I am. I can't say that I am disappointed in my choice, each day I grow to love JMU a little more.

The Good-
I've found my professors to be great. Sure, some of them are boring, and some of them are just plain fucking weird, but I've always been able to get in touch with them during office hours if I needed to. As far as athletics go, they hook us up. There are also a shit ton of organizations or groups to join, and if you find yourself sitting alone in your dorm on a Friday night, that's your own fault. Also, if you choose to move off campus after your freshman year, the off-campus housing is not only affordable, but incredibly convenient. That's as long as you're not planing on living in a palace, I can't say my Ashby apartment is a 5-star hotel.... but anyways the majority of the housing is located on Port Republic Road and that makes going from party to party or what have you on weekends and such real easy. It's a great setup. Food is awesome, great variety. Lots of natury stuff to do. I can dig it. Parties are great in my opinion, but that's because I'd choose a house party over a bar anyday. If bars are your thing, don't come here...

The Bad-
PARKING SUCKS DICK. That's all I have to say about that. Gen eds are sometimes annoying as fuck. Why the hell should I have to take theatre? I shouldn't. Also, getting in to the classes I need is getting increasingly difficult. Oh and this whole building of the new stadium busines is getting annoying, but I guess it'll be worth it in the long run. Oh yeah and when you want a paper towel after you wash your hands you have to press this button down first in order to be able to push the paper towel lever. You only 2 pushes and not that much towel comes out. Also, I always imagine how dirty that button must be but they probably clean them.

The Ugly-
Girls walking around in Uggs, leggings (since when did it become okay not to wear pants?!), and a Northface. Tots cute. The ratio is terrible (if you're a girl).

Be careful, there are a lot of Bible thumpers, but there are also liberals. You gotta be careful who you agree to get coffee with these days...Overall, I really like this school. There is a ton of pride, and I'm starting to really feel this whole "i bleed purple" business. If I didn't go to JMU and play my sport, to be honest I'd probably be the world's biggest pothead burnout and my life would have amounted to nothing. So here's to you, JMU, for keeping me straight!

1st Year Female -- Class 2012

University Resource Use/ spending: A+, Perceived Campus Safety: C-