James Madison University

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-

For me - a VA resident, looking to stay in-state, who didn't have the grades to get into William and Mary or UVA (because I actually had a life in High School), and looking for the "college experience" the choices were JMU, or Virginia Tech.

There are some other decent schools in VA but they just weren't quite on par with JMU and VT for me. VCU(too close to home/too urban), Longwood(too much like high school), Mary Washington(too small), Radford(too easy to get into), George Mason(too commuter),

And of course U of R, and Washington and Lee, are good schools, if you have 40K to spend. Bridgewater and Randolph Macon just cost 40K.

So when I got into both JMU and VT, it was a TOUGH decision. After touring the campuses I ultimately chose JMU. JMU was a little smaller, and seemed a little more personable - the small college feel, with the big college amenities as the tour guide told me. The people at JMU seemed more sociable and relatable as well (less rednecks). JMU is also more liberal, which aligned closer to my political views. It didn't hurt that JMU was 60% female and the girls were way better looking than at Tech.

I would have been happy at VT as well. While JMU has a good reputation locally, VT has more of a reputation nationally. Even though I?m not that into football, the football scene at Tech was something I missed too. Though JMU has a very respectable football program now, as evidence by our win over VT last year! VT, being more research oriented, is better known for their science programs, whereas JMU is a liberal arts school, emphasizing an all-around education. Also, the Bar scene at Tech is better but the off campus house/apartment parties at JMU blow Tech out of the water. I found the people at JMU to be very active ? everyone was into something, whether it was Roller Hockey, the Equestrian Club, The Earth Club or Greek Life.

JMU and VT are comparable academically. Look at the admissions data - JMU admits a slightly lower percentage of applicants, but Tech's SAT/GPA numbers are slightly higher. If you were like me, it came down to where I could see myself for the next 4 years. My recommendation is to tour JMU and tour Tech and see how you feel about each. Also ask around to people who go/went there. Depending on your preferences you might choose JMU or you might choose Tech.

4th Year Female -- Class 2004

Faculty Accessibility: A, Scholastic Success: B-

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