James Madison University

1st Year Male -- Class 2009

Education Quality: A+, Surrounding City: D

I transferred to James Madison University for the Spring 2014 semester and lived off campus, expecting to have the time of my life and meet many new faces. I was only able to experience this school for a mere three weeks so keep that in mind when taking this review into account.

My director for my health program incorrectly informed me of my required classes to apply for this health program, which I was not informed of until I had moved to the school and signed a lease. Word of warning, drill every adviser you can with questions until you are 100% sure if you are a transfer. This is what caused me to withdraw, I refuse to pay a school for an extra year and a half for their own incompetence.

Onto my perception of the campus...it's beautiful but this school is not commuter friendly in the least. Good luck finding a parking space after paying the 110 dollar (WTF) commuter parking pass. Someone has clearly made an error in the parking logistics department, as I would typically spend thirty minutes driving around looking for a parking space EVERY DAY. The parking garage is a safety hazard at best, being completely full 99% of the time. If you require us to pay for a pass, then you are required to provide ample parking space for all.

The buses would routinely fill up at one stop, not allowing many students to board thus having to wait for a second bus.

The parking is not the only logistics horror, as the gym is PACKED almost all day. The size of this gym is laughable given the amount of tuition money flowing into this school. Want to relieve stress by lifting weights? Good luck, all three rows of dumbbells were taken up by kids daily. As a part time personal trainer I almost vomited at the sight of this routine circus act.

The people at this school were generally friendly, though don't expect much in the way of diversity as others have stated. Basically, if you are a white female sorority clone, you will have the freaking time of your life...and possibly get raped...just saying.

A little about myself, I'm a 22 year old white good looking male that can get along with just about anyone...and I do not have a short fuse when it comes to stress. I loved the food and gorgeous girls (seriously, so many attractive girls) but this school has major flaws that need to be addressed and I do not suggest it for a transfer student. If you come to this school into dorm life right out of high school I can see the benefits of that route.

1st Year Male -- Class 2016

Campus Aesthetics: A, Surrounding City: D

Let me be the one to be completely honest with you. JMU is the biggest hype school on the face of the earth. By this, I mean the school is incredibly hyped up to be an almost perfect atmosphere; this is not entirely false. People hold doors for you, but don't expect everyone to. The school lies to you when it says that Greek life isn't that huge. Unless you are a sorority or fraternity type, you won't be completely satisfied with your experience. Some, not all, sorority girls are very standoff-ish and rude. The school is also the least diverse school I have ever come across. Most people are white, from NOVA or Richmond, or the northeast. The geneds are hard and sorta uncessary- I had to take a really hard art history course and spent more time on that to get a B than I spent on classes for my major. The school is really big and a nuisance to get around. Once you figure out the bus system, you'll be ok. Don't expect to get on the ICS (inter-campus shuttle) ever, its almost always full. Try to not get classes in Memorial Hall as it can be hard to get to. The parking at JMU is an absolute joke, you pay 200 plus to get a parking pass with no guaranteed spot. The parties aren't very fun either; usually crowded apartment parties that get busted right away or frats where no one gets in except pretty girls. I once got denied because I wasn't hot enough, I kid you not.The low down- JMU is a really big school, and it's outgrowing the small, nothing-town of Harrisonburg. The students are generally happy and the professors are good, advisors are hit or miss. The academics are good and they have a good reputation. Basically, I reccommend but read my whole review first, it will help you in the end.

1st Year Female -- Class 2018

Campus Aesthetics: A+, Surrounding City: D+