I’m from Upstate NY but now live near Philadelphia. People here in the Mid-Atlantic know about Richmond and are impressed. The alumni network is very strong and welcoming. It is on par with Colgate and Bucknell, both highly respected institutions. What makes Richmond different is the location, the weather, and the food. The food at Richmond - both at the dining hall and off campus in Careytown - is excellent and only getting better. There is a burgeoning art and food scene in Richmond. Richmond’s endowment (among the highest on a per student basis) is a huge advantage. The new Provost was recruited away from UVA. The new athletic director from Bucknell. Richmond has momentum and is a nice blend of a LAC, with business, moving in a very positive direction.
Interesting thread - my S wants to go “south” (we are in Massachusetts) and I have been diligently looking at schools mainly in Virginia-S and N Carolina. U of Richmond keeps coming up high on our list as the campus looks beautiful and we consistently hear good things about the school. We plan on visiting in the Spring. Hoping to finalize his list by then!