Virginia Commonwealth University

I want to say that VCU is unique, i will give it that. But if you are a person who has been exposed to the real world, (aka you have had a job/or been downtown more than twice) then you will most not likely enjoy it. Orientation should have been a clue, i had ONE person talk to me who i became friends with, and he was naturally a talkative person. Welcome week and the first two weeks of class it appears that there is stuff to do, there's school spirit, etc. After that, which by then you can not un-enroll, its gets real, really quick. As previous posts have mentioned, really cliquey. I commuted from about 40 mins away which i do not recommend. If you're gonna go to VCU you have to live on campus or within walking/biking distance, otherwise don't waste your time. My first semester was tough but I had a good friend that went there who i met at work who made it worth going. The advisors from orientation set me up in classes that only applied to a VCU degree which screwed me over as far as transferring. Campus is dirty and boring if you have been to Richmond previous to starting college, and after about 2 months of being there. Most people who "get" VCU and its complicatedness are those who have been sheltered, lived in the boonies, or who are selfish. I met one new person after orientation that i would call a friend, she is really cool and i do not regret going only because i would not have met the 3 people who made it worth going. One word; Shady. Second semester sealed the deal for me, i failed all but 2 classes, one i got a C which was a class i enjoyed and the other a D which i worked my butt off in and got nothing in return. I also had to withdrawl from 2 classes. I took a choir class to try and make the most of VCU but was surrounded by STUCK UP music majors who frowned upon my high school choir experience, and who wouldnt even speak if seen elsewhere on campus. I stuck it out the rest of the semester and took finals and actually tried and it didnt work out. So i decided after first semester to transfer, but since the only good grades i had were in VCUonly classes and the classes that I failed would be the only ones that counted. I wasn't a slacker, i had a lot on my plate and jumping from those "highschool" level classes to simple 101 classes was terrible. And if you plan on working and going to school forget it unless you work a 6 hour shift once a week. Second semester i had to take a full time job since money got tight and it was just impossible to keep it together. Final Four and the basketball stuff was nice because the school actually seemed like a family.Richmond seemed to mimic Charlottesville in the college town feel. There was actual pride. Richmond should really take note because VCU is 1 of 3 things Richmond actually has going for it. Its ghetto and almost has a "black hole" appeal. Carytown is nice and belle isle is nice, but I recommend just visiting and that way you can still leave with some respect for richmond. As for the future I am taking fall of 2011 off and will not be returning to VCU. It really was a confidence killer. I do not regret it though because I learned what i did NOT want out this whole experience.

1st Year Male -- Class 2014

Scholastic Success: C-, Faculty Accessibility: F