James Madison University

JMU is an amazing school. It has a beautiful campus wonderful staff and the students are friendly and helpful. Nothing beats sitting on the quad all day.

The only thing I do not like about JMU is the greek system. Most the girls are involved in greek life and expect you to be involved also and if you're not you get dirty looks at parties.

The parties are amazing and there is always somewhere to go. The drunk bus makes it easy to get to place to place without getting in trouble with police.

1st Year Female -- Class 2016

Education Quality: A+, Surrounding City: D-

I'm a second semester Sophomore at JMU. When I was applying to colleges back in High School, I never really gave JMU the consideration it deserved. I applied here because, like everyone else is Virginia, I knew it was a good school. When I didn't get accepted to my first choice, I decided to come to JMU. The beginning of Freshman year, I wasn't happy here at all. Maybe it was because I was the only one from my graduating class to come here and all of my other close friends went to either Tech or UVa, or maybe it had to do with my living situation and being away from home. I didn't really get involved as a Freshman; I played intramural soccer and made some close friends in my dorm and through networking. As the year went on, I liked school a little more.

As a Sophomore, I have become more involved (joined Greek life, volunteer at a close by Elementary school, etc.), and I have truly realized that everything happens for a reason. I love JMU! I have had the best year here thus far. The campus is beautiful. It is divided up into three "sections" and all are and look very different, which is good because I never get sick of looking at the same architecture! The students and faculty at JMU are the kindest people you will ever meet. People ALWAYS hold doors, my professors show so much interest in students' success- they are always willing to help. I have made some of the best friendships here. Campus is the perfect size- big enough where you don't know everyone but small enough where you always run into someone you know. The food is great, as well as the off-campus housing, social life, and academics.

Sometimes I feel like JMU doesn't get the credit or attention it deserves. The classes here aren't easy. In fact, they are rigorous and challenging, and you have to work for your grade. JMU has a huge gened requirement (which sucks), but I know that eventually I'll appreciate it. The people here tend to live by the motto: "work hard, play hard".

What I like most about JMU, aside from the friendly and welcoming atmosphere and people, is that it provides me with opportunities that I wouldn't be able to find anywhere else. JMU is known for its number of organizations, majors/minors, and study abroad programs. The faculty here do their best to make it possible for each student to become more well-rounded socially, academically, spiritually, you name it. I am currently a Health Services Administration major (about to switch to Marketing) with a double minor in Business and Spanish. Other schools such as UVa don't even offer this major or minors. I am studying abroad next spring for a semester in Salamanca (to fulfill my Spanish minor requirements). It has always been my dream to study abroad and JMU has provided the opportunity for me to reach it. I could ramble on and on, but reading this review doesn't do the experience I've had here justice. If you are a High School senior and thinking of applying, do it. It will be the best decision you've ever made.

1st Year Female -- Class 2015

Useful Schoolwork: A+, Surrounding City: C+

I am a Communication Science and Disorders major, which is only offered at (in Virginia) JMU, UVa, VCU, Longwood, ODU and Radford (take note, this only undergrad programs-it's even more limited in the graduate program). So, I didn't have much choice in where I could apply and then attend. And UVa was my #1. Didn't get in there, so I came to JMU (some call JMU: "just missed Uva," which, sadly, is true). Now, looking back on it all, Uva isn't super awesome either based on some of the stories I've heard from friends. But nevertheless, JMU has some issues for me personally. I looked at this website before choosing my decision, and yet I still chose to come here with the full knowledge that this is a party school. I don't drink alcohol because I'm not 21, simple as that. Maybe next year, when I'm 21, I'll get into the party scene. But the last 2 semesters have been pretty lame for me-you're stuck with chilling in the dorm, seeing a movie at the on-campus theater, maybe going to an occasional UPB event. It got old after awhile.

I sincerely wish this campus was in an actual city. Now, I don't hate Harrisonburg because I've met some of the sweetest, most southern (in a good way- we do open doors for people here) people ever here (I'm also a Big Sister for Big Brothers Big Sisters, so I also love my little who lives here). But I just love cities more than I love rural. So, be careful about that. It does make a difference in your life here. Also, forewarning to the females out there: MANY OF MY FRIENDS HAVE BEEN SEXUALLY ASSAULTED HERE. They all were sober, had peppers spray, weren't promiscuous etc, but the men here can be raping douche bags and who can't hold their alcohol. Thankfully, I have not had that experience, but I can only imagine. Academics, I have so far been, moderately challenged. I had harder classes in high school, but I do enjoy the freedom and indepenedence that college classes give me. I can do homework whenever I want, visit prof's whenever, etc. A positive is that the prof's are very accessible and do care very much for the student. It's really awesome actually how much they love teaching. JMU is not a research school at all, so the prof's are here for the students.

1st Year Female -- Class 2015

Campus Maintenance: A, Perceived Campus Safety: F