Virginia Commonwealth University

VCU is what you make of it. I wanted to go to VCU because of all the opportunities for internships in Richmond, and that's exactly what I'm getting. I'm doing a TV internship and I'm doing some reporting for 2 newspapers because I sought those opportunities out (and I'm only a Freshie!). If you're coming for journalism, then you've made a brilliant decision because Richmond is home to about 4 news stations, innummerable radio stations, a smattering of small newspapers, a large paper that overshadows the others (the Times-Dispatch), and a lot of controversy/politics that make for great stories. The Mass Comm teachers are very nice and friendly, and the classes for it have been very informative so far (MASC 103 is a joke, though, so don't expect much, it's just a lab). Just ask the teachers about opportunities and how you can get involved and you'll find enough things to fatten your resume up that you'll forgive VCU for not having a REAL journalism reporting course available to you 1st semester (or 2nd semester, unless you applied for MASC 203).

I also got all As in my 1st semester courses, though that wasn't much of an accomplishment; all of my classes were pretty easy, they just gave out a lot of busy work. I did learn a few things about economics and research papers, but I feel like I got a higher quality education in high school. I've heard, though, that classes get tougher as you get closer to graduating, and apparently I only got easy teachers (hmm, I'm lucky I guess). I'll update this review in the discussion area of my post.

I'm in the Honors College, which I highly recommend that you join if you can because they allow you to register for classes early, you are exempt from the oh-so-stupid Focused Inquiry course that everyone else has to take and get to take more useful writing courses instead, and you get access to some of the best advisors on campus (they really care about you, and they're always trying to help you get a scholarship). You have to do some petty things to remain in the Honors College, like attending 3 1-hour Burgland Seminars a semester and getting your "passport" stamped to prove it, but the benefits are definitely worth it. The Honors kids are really cool, too (in a goofy, dorky kinda way) and they're some of the nicest/funniest people on campus.

What other people said about VCU's offices being extremely unorganized is totally true: I tried to change my major 3 months before school started, and it took 5 months for them to finally get it done, and only after I harassed the office workers and my Honors College advisor to death. They also lose paperwork all the time, so make copies and check up on them often (they lost my transcripts from my DE courses, but I resent them and it's all be sorted out now).

The above quirks, though, aren't really a big deal. Everyone here is very friendly and sociable, and Richmond is a wonderful city. There are some homeless people, but they don't really bug you, though they might ask for cash sometimes (just lie). I wouldn't advise walking around by yourself at night, but I've personally never had a problem when I was walking back from a night class at 9:40. There is a party every night, and the clubs ALWAYS have a college night.

As for school activities, I don't know what everyone else was complaining about. There are, frankly, too many. I wish I could go to everything and be a part of 3 sports teams at once, but I just don't have time to. There's just so much to do, it's hard to limit yourself to being a part of just a few. Of course, you also have the option of doing nothing and just relaxing, though that gets boring really quickly. Make sure you do yourself a favor and sign up for a couple of clubs. (I've heard the Asian clubs are really fun, and you don't even have to be Asian to go... and you get free food!)

Speaking of food, here's the deal with the dining at VCU: there are "swipes" and there are "dining dollars." Swipes are a part of the meal plan. Every swipe on your VCU card is a block from that meal plan. You have to buy a plan if you live on campus (expect if you live in GRC 1), and the minimum number of blocks you can get is 150.

Dining dollars come with meal plans and are just dollars on your VCU card that you can use to buy food in the VCU Commons or other items on campus, without tax.

Neither blocks or swipes carry over, so make sure you use them all up over the semester, otherwise you're wasting your money.

Here the deal with the food places sponsored by VCU:

The main dining court, Shafer=carbs, fats, salads, sandwiches, and expensive "Upper Cuts" (taking and extra swipe or two) like lobster. Also beware of Shafer Shits! You can get it from the "Fanfare" section of Shafer, but only certain foods trigger it, I just haven't figured out which. It doesn't affect everyone, though...

Cary St. Market and Deli (located below the Cary and Belvidere Apartments)=delicious hams, chicken, wraps,

etc. for the same price as a typical Shafer meal(1 swipe). It's slightly out of the way if you live in the Freshman dorms, but it's worth it.

Bleeker St. (Inside the School of Business)= delicious paninis and sandwiches and wraps, also for 1 swipe. Also out of the way (close if you live in GRC), but worth it.

Quizno's (in the B&B on campus, closed on weekends)= a delicious but unhealthy sandwich combo for 1 swipe

Subway (only works with swipes on the weekends, dining dollars or real money otherwise)= Subs, combos, etc.- not phenomenal, but not bad

Generic Chinese, American "restaurants", plus a Chick-fil-A (in the commons)= good, but fattening foods: takes dining dollars during the day and swipes at nigit: closed during the weekends

Remember that VCU always serves better food during Open Houses and parent days. If you're looking for an accurate taste of Shafer, go during a regular school day and pay the $5 to see if you like it or not. After a while, though, you'll get tired of it, regardless of how tasty you think it is at first. That's where those other VCU sponsored establishments come in. :DI hope my review was helpful and if you have any questions, just ask me!

1st Year Female -- Class 2013

Faculty Accessibility: A+, Useful Schoolwork: F

I love VCU. I will always love VCU. I hope you eager students looking up reviews on universities will consider VCU. My first recommendation: Don't listen to ANYONE. Not even me. Visit the campus yourself and go on a tour. Check out the area yourself and see how you feel about it. I chose to attend this school instead of JMU and I feel I made the right decision. I made so many friends who I still keep in touch with even today and I learned so much. I always had wonderful teachers. I loved the food, and even if you want to eat elsewhere there are great places ALL OVER the campus. I enjoyed walking and biking everywhere too. it really keeps you in shape and parking is AWFUL so don't bring a car. You don't need one. Dorms are not that great. I lived off campus my last two years and It was much better than the dorms. Sports are great. Academics are better than I expected them to be. The thing about VCU is a lot of people get accepted but not everyone finishes. You will find major classes to be much better than your gen eds. Financial aid office is really the only bad part. I had some trouble with them. Tuition isn't too bad instate though. Campus crime is always a big discussion. It is very safe on campus and off campus you just always know your surroundings like any city. I have been out as late as 3 am and had nothing happen. Stick with friends or groups after dark and follow the rules and you will be just fine. I love VCU and I always will. I'm happy with my degree and I am happy I was able to attend this school. I hope you will consider VCU as one of your options when choosing a college!

4th Year Female -- Class 2012

Education Quality: A+, Campus Aesthetics: D+

VCU really got me ready for Medical School. Within my M1 class, all students who went to VCU for undergrad are near the top of the class. Dr. Chandler in the Honors College is a gem and really takes pride in every student who passes through her program. I loved it at VCU and am doing great in Grad school thanks to it.

Alumnus Male -- Class 2000