http://www.studentsreview.com/VA/JMU_comments.html Life at JMU - Comments en http://www.studentsreview.com/VA/JMU_comments.html 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 th... Sat, 04 May 2013 09:01:34 GMT StudentsReview 1408-93666 Copyright 2013 StudentsReview, Ecliptical Technologies, Inc. 1408-93666 1408 58 Political Science Female Undergraduate Class 2016 1st Year Neutral 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. Sat, 04 May 2013 09:01:34 GMT http://www.studentsreview.com/VA/JMU_comments.html http://www.studentsreview.com/VA/JMU_comments.html 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 Virgin... Wed, 20 Mar 2013 07:44:43 GMT StudentsReview 1408-92663 Copyright 2013 StudentsReview, Ecliptical Technologies, Inc. 1408-92663 1408 53 Other Female Undergraduate Class 2015 1st Year Neutral 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. Wed, 20 Mar 2013 07:44:43 GMT http://www.studentsreview.com/VA/JMU_comments.html http://www.studentsreview.com/VA/JMU_comments.html 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... Wed, 20 Mar 2013 12:52:20 GMT StudentsReview 1408-92654 Copyright 2013 StudentsReview, Ecliptical Technologies, Inc. 1408-92654 1408 53 Other Female Undergraduate Class 2015 1st Year Neutral 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. Wed, 20 Mar 2013 12:52:20 GMT http://www.studentsreview.com/VA/JMU_comments.html http://www.studentsreview.com/VA/JMU_comments.html I absolutely loved JMU. I just graduated there in December ('12). The education I received was not only of an excellent quality, but it truly shaped who I am now for the better. JMU truly helped me be... Tue, 26 Feb 2013 03:42:20 GMT StudentsReview 1408-92270 Copyright 2013 StudentsReview, Ecliptical Technologies, Inc. 1408-92270 1408 64 Public Health Female Undergraduate Class 2012 4th Year Positive I absolutely loved JMU. I just graduated there in December ('12). The education I received was not only of an excellent quality, but it truly shaped who I am now for the better. JMU truly helped me become an adult and a committed active citizen. I had great opportunities there that have given me invaluable experience, such as creating my own non-profit organization, working in an office, being a peer educator, and more. I applied to some of the top universities in the country (GWU, BU, and Emory) and got into all of them, and I couldn't have done it without the quality education I got at JMU. But of course, not everything is perfect there.

Cons: this school is inundated with white, upper middle class, typical American "hot" bros and biddies. There is certainly a white wash at this school and if you don't look like the typical JMU student, you may feel a bit isolated. This is especially true for the girls because of the way off ratio of women to men. This is coming from the perspective of a black woman with natural hair; if I had to stereotype myself, it would be a hippie health nerd. That being said, everyone is so nice and I didn't find it hard to get along with people, but I didn't make any true friends outside of my group of friends I made freshmen year. If you're not a typical JMU student, I would say definitely try to make a good group of friends early and stick with them, you guys will get each other through in a special and important way. But again, everyone is really nice, approachable, and open.

Pros: pretty much everything else! The campus is beautiful and well laid out, there are SOO many awesome student resources, the professors are great (for the most part, there are certainly bad ones), the academics are quality, and there are a lot of awesome opportunities. There is certainly a good party scene, but it's only exciting if you like to get very drunk in stuffed apartments with good looking white frat and sorority types. Don't get me wrong, I partied quite a bit when I was a freshman and sophomore, but by the end of my second year I was officially over that scene; some love it all 4 years.

The best thing about this university is that it is so student focused! During the search for graduate schools, I realized that many big universities with the academic quality of a place like JMU tend to be heavily researched based, at the expense of their students. My professors were incredibly accessible, overall friendly, and there are plenty of resources that the school put forward that ensure success. We recently got a new president (Alger) and he went on a listening tour throughout the university to create a development plan for JMU that will further launch the school. I got to be a part of this tour and there are a lot of exciting things that are about to happen at this school, it's a good time to enroll!

If you're willing to put in the work and can take the overall homogeneous demographics...go to this school. I've met some of my best friends there, have grown into a competent young adult, and my degree is competitive. Myself and all of my alumni friends are incredibly proud of our alma mater and I can't think of any other school in the state that I would have rather gone to. Tue, 26 Feb 2013 03:42:20 GMT http://www.studentsreview.com/VA/JMU_comments.html http://www.studentsreview.com/VA/JMU_comments.html JMU was the greatest 4 years of my life. I would got back in a heartbeat if I could. I am currently doing great and have a job in my preferred field. The only suggestion would be to get an internship ... Tue, 09 Oct 2012 04:12:19 GMT StudentsReview 1408-89778 Copyright 2013 StudentsReview, Ecliptical Technologies, Inc. 1408-89778 1408 53 Other Male Undergraduate Alumnus Class 2000 Positive JMU was the greatest 4 years of my life. I would got back in a heartbeat if I could. I am currently doing great and have a job in my preferred field. The only suggestion would be to get an internship between junior and senior year. I did not and it took a while to find a job, unlike friends I know that had one and got a job right away. Tue, 09 Oct 2012 04:12:19 GMT http://www.studentsreview.com/VA/JMU_comments.html