The University of Mary Washington

Date: May 16 2009
Major: Psychology (This Major's Salary over time)
I think I know who the previous poster is; I think we had Spanish together in Spring 09. Regardless, I do agree with her completely.

I am 22 years old and I had to transfer from George Mason for economic reasons. The only university I could afford was in my hometown where UMW is. I was supposed to be a senior but they made me a junior again. I was supposed to transfer in with 97 credits but apparently, UMW administrators felt the need to decide which classes I actually learned something in rather than giving me, and GMU, the benefit of the doubt. Because of this, It would have taken me to Spring of 2011 to actually finish up al the while, I realistically should have graduated a month ago. Transfer students should avoid this school.

Even though this is a liberal arts school, they shamelessly force on students that already done the time. Even though I was attempting a Bachelors of Science at GMU, they still felt the need to force foreign language on me to which I attempted twice (with earnest effort) and still got Ds both times. I explained my situation to me Advisor and the Dean of Academics but both were hardly sympathetic towards me. Additionally, even though I studied 4 to 8 hours a day for my classes, I still ended up getting Ds and Cs in my classes all the while, I knew students that only studied half of the hours I did and did way better than me. A senior with a 3.3 GPA doesnt just start doing badly but apparently, I “should have studied an hour for every credit I took as if I didnt already hold other responsibilities already (i.e. work).

Finally, I do agree with the last poster that many (not all) of the students at UMW do seem pretty sheltered. Many of them hold no job (which therefore pay no bills), stay on campus vast majority of the time and barley study anyway which amazes me since they still manage to do well. On a related note, the Dean told me that I wanted to do better, I should only work 10 a week at most “like other student do. As if 10 hours paid anything let alone any job hiring you for those hours anyway. The students here are nice but they are barley getting a real world experience at this school; the academics at UMW apply shielding yourself with a textbook at the time rather than doing anything hands-on or practical.

Overall, if one has been at UMW since their first or second year, they will probably do well but for those who transfer in and/or commute, their going to have a hard time succeeding. Im going to my local community college to become a registered nurse, this school was a waste of my time and has been a constant stressor in my life. I am glad Im never going back to this school. Sorry for being bitter but dont judge unless you experience.