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

My department is being run straight into the ground. I was in a very competitive IB program in high school and I got a scholarship here and chose it due to financial pressures. NOT WORTH IT! In every way VCU has disappointed me... There is no advising in my department and the teachers and faculty actually HIDE from you to avoid a meeting. I walked in with 22 credits and I am STILL going to graduate late, even though I have straight A's and followed the course plan they published very carefully. VCU has had a few bright spots, but they are swiftly dashed to pieces by the SGA or administrators. There are no traditions, no school spirit and no considerations for anyone trying to succeed. As for the food, they claim to provide healthy options and have expanded the choices a lot in the last few years. However, in typical VCU fashion, most choice are not available for a meal plan swipe except at extremely inconvenient times (early Sunday morning, starting at 3 or 5 p.m. right BETWEEN lunch and dinner) so you end up funneling MORE money into this shithole than you ever thought you should. The police are out to get you because they are on a power trip about being both campus and city cops. I have never gotten in trouble but only because I have studied my rights extensively. If you are expecting to EVER do anything without having to stand in line, you are fucking dreaming- especially if it is to pay tuition or requires a lazy university worker to get out of their damn chair. As for extracurriculars, they are numerous and crop up all the time. However, because the spirits are so broken here, no one stays in any clubs that are not profession-oriented (mostly because you need these clubs to get the hell out of here). God forbid your club attract more then 15 or so members because then the SGA will simply regulate you to death. For instance, the some foreign language clubs were doing quite well until the SGA decided that food should no longer be allowed at club meetings ever, even if it is made by the members at their own expense. Somehow, VCU manages to strangle you with red tape but takes almost no precautions for safety of students.

As for Richmond as a whole, I am a native so I have experience in the constant heart-breaking downer it is to live here. We cant keep a sports team in town because no one wants to leave their fucking house. We have some cool festivals but every year they are filled with more and more unruly children or infants and become less and less about drinking, merry-making and music. If anything fun ever begins to happen, someone gets hurt or shot and everyone is too spooked to do anything for a year (i.e. the balcony collapse in the fan). I am not a person who has trouble having fun and making friends, the trouble is that it is difficult to keep a positive attitude when you are surrounded by such negative people.Therefore, my advice to you is to not only stay the hell away from VCU but also Richmond. If VCU is your only option, do not join the alumni association, cheer for the basketball team or waste your time on sports clubs. You will need to be sitting outside offices all day long to get the information you need to graduate on time or to study abroad for as many semesters as possible. The only worse choice you could make for your education is a Christian-based school or Radford.

3rd Year Female -- Class 2012

Social Life: C+, Education Quality: F

There are plently of other places much better than VCU. If you are in state, an art student and do not care about acedemics, VCU will be satisfatory. However, if you are planing to go into any other major, stop looking at VCU.

Yet, if you are a grad student, VCU has some great programs. Also note, MCV is not VCU do not let them fool you into thinking they work together in giving you an education. They do not. VCU students think that because MCV is close by they are getting that education. MCV does not leak its acedamia into VCU. Ever.

Over all, if you are a Virginia resedent and an art student. VCU may be right. Or, if you are a grad student.If you are an undergrad who does not plan to major in art or if you are out of state, you will not enjoy this insitution.

1st Year Female -- Class 2014

Friendliness: B, Collaboration/Competitive: F