<p>I have read many threads about UMW on here but none of them are as recent as I'd hoped. I am submitting my application and am pretty confident I will get in. (3.9 gpa, 1880 SAT). I just wanted to know what people think about UMW. I'm applying to the Honors Program because I thought it would be beneficial for me if I ever wanted to transfer. UMW was initially not my first choice, but realistically it is probably the school I will end up going to. I just wanted to know things like is it academically rigorous, how is the social life there, how do students typically spend their weekends, how involved are the students, how is housing, etc. I would really appreciate if someone could tell me either their experience or the experience of someone they know. I keep getting mixed reviews: many people like it and many people think it is just average. Would it be smarter for me to stay close to home (I live in Nova) and go to George Mason? thanks!</p>
<p>UMW doesn’t have an Honors Program. They have Honors Admission, which is just their name for an early action program. The only benefit is knowing that you’re admitted by February 15 instead of April 1. With your stats, you have an excellent chance of being selected. You’re supposed to apply before January 15 to be considered for Honors Admission, but my son (he’s a sophomore there) applied on January 31 and was selected anyway.</p>
<p>UMW is a very good school academically, but sometimes dealing with the administration is frustrating. George Mason isn’t bad, but it’s huge! Classes are a lot smaller at UMW. If you went to Mason, would you commute? I think UMW is an ideal distance from Nova–too far to commute, but you can be home in less than an hour if necessary.</p>
<p>I agree with stevensmama, you are comparing apples and oranges. The two schools are so different in size, location, etc. </p>
<p>My D spends her weekends doing what most college students do: laundry, paper writing, homework, at least that’s what she tells me. I also hear there are parties and trips to concerts and plays both in F’burg and DC, Richmond, and VA Beach. Like any school, your social life is what you make it.</p>
<p>Academically is where I think UMW shines. Almost all of D’s professors have been really good, none have been bad. Class sizes are small and getting the classes she wants has not been a problem. There is no Honors Program because I don’t think they need one. Standards are pretty high and many kids bomb out so there is a natural weeding process.</p>
<p>I also agree it’s an ideal distance from Nova. Not so handy you’d run home for dinner but easy if you really need to get there.</p>
<p>My daughter is a junior at UMW. It is a wonderful school. Academically, it is very strong and many have commented that it is easy to get in, but hard to stay in. I really have to agree with that statement. My daughter is double majoring in PS and english. Most of her professors have been wonderful and very approachable. If you put in the effort, they are more than happy to give you their time. The campus is beautiful and they are always making improvements. The dorms that she has been in all have been great. It’s true that the administration at times can be frustrating…but I hear that about many schools, so that should not deter you from going. As far as things to do, if you look for them, you will find them. The students for the most part really seem great. All in all, I think it is a wonderful place to get a solid education.</p>
<p>up in philly area we don’t know too much about VA schools so I’m interested to hear more about UMW, also how does it compare to schools like JMU and U Richmond? We may be planning a spring college tour for my junior and would like to check out some good VA schools. Can you clue me in to the pros and cons of these different schools? also, how convenient is the school to Amtrak train?</p>
<p>UMW is much smaller than JMU and much cheaper than UR. You probably noticed both of those already but those are the most outstanding differences. UR is more difficult to get into, JMU maybe slightly easier. Does your kid have a major selected? That could also make a difference. UMW is beautiful in the spring so it’s a good time to visit.</p>
<p>The Amtrak trains go through the Fredericksburg VRE station. It is within walking distance of the campus, my D has done it with a rolling suitcase. VRE only goes north as far as Union Station, but those trains are cheaper than riding Amtrak.</p>
<p>At present her interests are languages, psychology and/or something in the sciences. She’s typically an A/A- student in math/science/languages but a B/B+ student in english lit/history.</p>
<p>Thanks for the transportation info. It seems like it is a bit easier to get to our area from UMW than JMU, where it seems the only options are to take a cab to Staunton and then a once a day Amtrak train north; or a bus that goes to Allentown which is an hour north of Philly. I guess that from F-Burg one could take VRE to Union Station and then transfer to AMTRAK northeast corridor service from there.</p>
<p>aside from the points that you already mentioned, any other points of comparison? I guess that U Richmond as a more expensive school might attract a more well to do crowd. I see it has a high proportion of out of state students, yet it strikes me as more “southern” with a big emphasis on Greek scene? What is UMW like socially?</p>
<p>UMW is NOT a party school…at all:) The kids seem to keep themselves busy with movies and other things going on on campus. The new gym looks amazing and I suspect that basketball games will become much more popular. Central Park, which is a HUGE shopping/dining/movie area has just about everything. The kids also seem to spend time in FB, eating and stuff. Having the train station in walking distance also allows the students to head into DC or go down to Richmond. My daughter tends to head to DC…but she is a PS major, so she likes it there. Overall, I think UMW is a wonderful school and a real bargin. Good luck:)</p>
<p>Her areas of interest could be well met at UMW. The faculty are very good, classes are not huge, and my D has not had a lot of trouble getting classes she wants. There are no fraternities or sororities. D tells me there are some “fake” ones, I’m not sure what that means exactly but they are not national.</p>
<p>U of R is known as a preppy school around here. Their roots are not elite but several years ago they had a president who believed that if they charged a big tuition they would get a better quality student body. Dr. Cooper’s mention of minds full of mush eventually cost him his job but his idea seems to have worked. Word around Richmond is that they take very few locals. It’s also a beautiful campus.</p>
<p>I want to clarify the train situation in Fredericksburg. The VRE travels north in the morning and south in the evening. Other trains stop there throughout the day but they are Amtrak. Your D could very easily ride the train home as long as she packed as much as she could carry easily.</p>
<p>It is not a party school, but parties are going on all the time if you know where to look.</p>
<p>There is a bus from JMU to the Vienna, VA Metro Station every Friday it takes 2 hours. It returns every Sunday from Vienna @ 5:30. The Metro ride from Vienna to Union Station in D.C. is about 20 minutes. It takes longer from JMU to Union Station than from UMW but is still an easy trip.</p>
<p>thanks avgmom- do you have a link for this bus service?</p>
<p>Sorry for the delay, I haven’t been back on the forum for a while. The link for the bus service is [JMU</a> - Student Travel Options](<a href=“Alternative Transportation at JMU - JMU”>Alternative Transportation at JMU - JMU) Scroll down the page to the “Bus” category.</p>