Virginia Commonwealth University

- Not your classic college experience. If you're expecting to have memories of wild parties every weekend, friends that stay the same for four years, etc. this is not that type of school. VCU is unique because it set in a urban setting - the school was built around the city of Richmond, not the other way around, as in a lot of college towns. If you are not looking for the classic college experience, then this may be a good thing for you... all depends on what you want.

- Small fish in a big pond. There are 30,000 people that go to this school. A majority of these students are commuters from the greater Richmond area - this includes people from 18 up to 35. Again, could be a good thing if you are looking for variety in your classes and different points of view, but after being on campus for about a month you learn that this campus is truly not made up of only the 18-23 age bracket. Also, getting help from the people that run this school is harder than you can imagine. Faculty, that is teachers, are usually willing to lend a helping a hand... other than that, you are on your end. How do I take this hold off of my account to sign up for classes? How do I find out who my counselor is? I have a question about what classes I have to take to make sure I graduate on time, can anyone help? EXPECT to contact at least 2 to 3 people... this school truly forces you to grow up quickly.

The social scene before you are 21:

- parties in local neighborhoods or "have a nice day" cafe... those are your two options. expect for everyone, students and non students, to be at these parties. Best "roll deep" in case a fight breaks out and expect to pay money to get in AND drink at these parties... its just the way it is.

After 21:

-many bars and a few decent clubs downtown. This can be a little bit better as Richmond has a lot of young professionals who offer variety to the whole scene. It is definitely not your average "college bar" scene... but Richmond has a small city feel to it... after 4 years there, you find you have come kind of connection to every other person you meet.

Pro's:

- Richmond is a city that is slowly becoming a better place. During my four years there, the city has somewhat transformed and is making its downtown area nicer and more cosmopolitan. No telling whether this will continue with the economy and its current state.. but who knows

- Learn to grow up, fast. From my first semester at VCU, I learned that I was going to have to make MY way through college. VCU is not in the middle of nowhere, they've got brilliant people and some of the stupidest people I've ever met in my life, some people finish... some people definitely don't. Some take longer, some transfer... so everyone is going in a million directions, so you learn to be independent quickly. After the whole experience you will be a better, more independent person for it.All in all, if I had to do VCU again.. I wouldn't. I made 3 best friends, had some good times, graduated with a 3.0 (yes, in 4 years), and am now looking at graduate school. Despite all these things, I feel as though there could have been more... a lot more... if VCU was a different place. This is an urban school in a growing city ... make sure you realize this as you apply. I think VCU is a school that is unique and different... and that anyone who is thinking about going there should take this into account when considering it.