<p>Its hard to say that a great amount of people love CNU when their graduation rate after six years for an entering freshman class is only 13%... compare that with any good school and you will see the difference, and it is because most people transfer out. Sure some people might fail out but its a small percentage. Im not bashing CNU but you cannot just ignore that fact.</p>
<p>Well, you're entitled to your own opinion, but you're not entitled to your own facts. 13% is the four-year graduation rate. The six-year graduation rate is 37%. Since about 30% transfer, that leaves some 30% who either drop out or flunk out--not the small percentage you claim. </p>
<p>CNU is in flux. Each class has a significantly higher GPA and SAT average than the last. Each admissions year they admit a smaller percentage of their applicants. The university has begun a program called Graduate in Four, that focuses on those students whose educational process has stalled. If I were a HS student considering CNU, this trend and the rate of change would weigh as much as the historical values.</p>
<p>I think a lot of kids go to CNU thinking it's going to be a big party. While there are party schools among CNU's peer group, CNU seems to have its academic head screwed on right. As a parent, I find that to be the overarching consideration.</p>
<p>But, make no bones about it, you will work for your grades at CNU. 17% of freshmen end up on academic probation, and the average GPA is a 2.4. Perhaps that's why a lot of kids transfer to other schools.</p>
<p>The fact is that Christopher Newport truly is an "up and coming" college, but it's just not there yet. I stand by my post that CNU still does not have enough going for it YET, to balance out Newport News, Virginia. Now if we're talking "dorms like palaces".................now you're in the game. Saw my buddy for CNU while on break..............he says it's kind of disappointing. I doubt CNU is anyone's first choice school at this point. But that's not to say that it doesn't have the potential to be someday. I think it's regarded as a safety school for VA students that were not accepted to JMU and Tech.</p>
<p>pedsox, you may be seeing things in black-and-white terms. CNU was lots of people's first choice. It was my son's first choice. He didn't even apply to Tech or JMU. Those two giants are a very different product entirely. We know. My daughter graduated from JMU last May. </p>
<p>My other son goes to UVa, so the two students compared notes over the weekend. Mr. CNU pondered the idea of transferring to UVa--a long shot, to be sure, but it was interesting to mull over the issue. The thing is, UVa has all the problems a larger school has, and there are no guarantees that it will be that much better. All of a sudden, the personal attention from the CNU faculty loomed larger in value.</p>
<p>Mr. UVa's dorm was built in the 19th century. Mr. CNU's dorm was built in the 21st century. That's a consideration!</p>
<p>In the end, Mr. CNU decides to stay where he is. </p>
<p>I know, pedsox, that you're a freshman at William and Mary. I'll predict that some time, over the next four years, you will consider taking in a performance at CNU's new performing arts center. If you don't you'll have missed an opportunity--right down the road. CNU is, indeed, rising, and that rise is faster than outsiders may suspect.</p>
<p>I think there's a bit of an inferiority complex among current CNU students. Everybody knows where the top-tier SAT students go in Virginia. But, those that were last are sometimes first. I would remind all concerned--you, your CNU friend, and others who read this thread--the real world is full of "A" students from top notch schools who work for "C" students from East Chugwater State.</p>
<p>CNU academics are not that hard, i'm trying to transfer to a better school and I am not having problems with the classes here. You were saying how CNU is getting harder to get into, but basically most colleges are getting harder to get into. Redbeard, you seem to know alot about CNU you probably know the answer to this, but what programs are CNU known for? I dont have much against CNU but its not as great as you make it to be, I guess I really dont like it and you really love it but yeah CNU is probably somewhere in the middle.</p>
<p>CNU is easier than highschool</p>
<p>"I think a lot of kids go to CNU thinking it's going to be a big party. "</p>
<p>and its a dry campus.. i dont know of many people coming here to party.. if they wanted to do that they'd go to radford</p>
<p>JayHovka and tron are transferring from CNU. They have their reasons, all of which they have stated. I question neither their judgment nor their motives. </p>
<p>I merely point out that there are many students who are pleased with CNU and will stay there until they graduate. CC has a tendency to collect people who are unhappy in their current conditions. This introduces a bias in the postings against a school, a major, or a profession.</p>
<p>CNU is in flux. It is developing quickly, but it does not have a "history" or a "reputation" in any particular academic field. That's what "flux" means. It's changing. It will not be what it was. Better students, better facilities, and better faculty are all in its future--that much is certain. Any objective review of the facts--capital expenditure, new hirings, SAT scores and GPAs--will confirm this.</p>
<p>It's all about potential. A college is not a static "thing" that you purchase once and wear for four years. You interact with the institution. You grow and explore along with the school. To say that CNU "is" good, great, lousy, or boring, misses the point. You are part of the process, and you can make it any of those things. CNU will not stand in your way to a great education. That's, really, all you can ask of your college.</p>
<p>I, honestly, wish you both luck in the schools you transfer to. I am familiar with the quality of academic standards at four of Virginia's fine universities other than CNU, and I can assert that CNU measures up. But, maybe those other schools have some special "mojo" that will make you happy. Go for it! But, try to avoid a condescending attitude toward those who have stayed to "homestead" at CNU.</p>
<p>Redbeard (Mr. Redbeard, respectfully). Lots of good points in your most recent post. Yes, I am a college freshman and try to point that out when posting here..................there is no way that any of my posts should be taken as anything other than a fresman's opinion. I just posted recently that I consider myself on par now with a freshman at a community college. The slate has been wiped clean, so to speak. We all need to take advantage and thrive where we are now. My parents have shared the same sentiment that you did.............many A students are working for C students! In fact, statisically speaking.........the bright average person tends to be more successful (financially and socially) than the straight A student. So I'm with you on that. Also I am familiar with the Ferguson Art Center. My sibling is an accomplished pianist and has played at many concerts there. Ferguson is doing lots to put CNU on the map, that's for da** sure. But my posts clearly state that Newport News is just the armpit of Virginia. It has no redeeming qualities. It is a drawback to being a student at Christopher Newport. The small classes at CNU will never put it on par with UVA. UVA has a reputation that will follow a graduate for a life time. Not guarantee success, for sure, but..............you know what I mean. William and Mary has it all as far as that goes.................small classes, top-notch profs, wonderful college town, no murders, prestige. That's all I was saying. Plus, the proof is often in the pudding. My buddy says CNU IS easier than high school.........................I'm sure it doesn't draw the average AP student. Your points were well taken and I meant no disrespect.</p>
<p>No problem, pedsox. And, on my end, I did not mean to imply you were hiding your W&M connection. It's just that, with all the success going on in your life, it's easy to lose perspective. I, too, went to a big-name school for undergrad, and I can assure you, I was an arrogant snot at your age! A little humility, as you have shown, does wonders to win people over.</p>
<p>Of course, I can validate your idea that the prestige of a good school does tend to linger during your career--it will always be there on your resume. And, to be sure, CNU does not really have that panache. </p>
<p>But, remember, CC is about the future and not the past. And in that regard, there is an interesting dynamic at work that high-schoolers should be aware of. </p>
<p>I don't think I've described the enthusiasm at the CNU 'college nights' held for invited students here in Fairfax. The CNU admissions people feel a little like rock stars as they talk to a room full of kids. I did not see the same for the comparable schools. (My son listed Longwood, VCU, and Radford in his mix--appropriate for a 3.0 NOVA HS student.) And, at the admitted freshman day, the CNU stands are filled with determined, enthusiastic high schoolers. It's hard to imagine that 30% of that crowd will be transferring out in a year. I can't explain it, but I know something's afoot down Warwick Blvd. CNU may fail in its efforts to convert a sleepy W&M annex (did you know that?) to a little center of excellence, but is sure seems like they're trying. </p>
<p>As for the Newport News neighborhood, it's come up so much I propose to start a new thread on the subject. I would invite you and the two transfer guys to join. Remember, it's a discussion about impressions, so there's no right or wrong...</p>
<p>Well, we have now entered finals week. If all goes well, he will have survived first semester freshman year. That is a real accomplishment, and I'm really proud of him for this. I know there are others who think CNU is a low-standard school, but I've seen his statistics, English, and history homework. Their standards are equal to any other freshman program.</p>
<p>And, for what it's worth, other kids have told me that JMU and even W&M are "easier than high school". (I guess our high schools are pretty tough up here in Northern VA). </p>
<p>Will report out during the Christmas break and close out the thread.</p>
<p>ive never heard anyone say w&m is "easy" ive got plenty of friends who go there and theyr all saying its hard as hell
cnu is easy i rarely do all my work and ill probly pull off a 3.0+</p>
<p>ps
cnu is slob.com with their grading.. they keep pushing it back and it will probably be january 1st before we find out what we got</p>
<p>I just spoke with the registrar's office. Grades will be posted by Friday. </p>
<p>As for W&M, it surprised me to hear that as well, but there you are. Some majors are un-stressing, some profs are easy, and some students breeze through. I saw that at Cornell as well. </p>
<p>At CNU, tron, I think a lot of kids would like to know what courses you take that you don't do your assignments and you can pull off a 3.0. FWIW, my son has seen a definite correlation between those who don't work and those who get bad grades. Who knew?</p>
<p>Whoever "thinks" William and Mary is easy...................should have been on board for my bio exam......................In fact, anyone who thinks any certified college curriculum is easy, is just posturing. Mr. Redbeard, I just read that Newport News, VA, boast one of the top 100 high schools in the country. I believe it's in Warwick. So there you go, I didn't really know what I was talking about when I dismissed Newport News as the "armpit" of Virginia. It was unfair. I'm anxious to finish these exams and get home to chill with my CNU buddy, who by the way said his exams were "killing him". I met my parents at CNU 2 weeks ago to see my brother........................looked at the area and the campus with different eyes, because of our communication. Christopher Newport is a hidden gem with obsticals to overcome just like all other colleges of it's age. Have a nice holiday with your family, Mr. Redbeard. Keep posting.</p>
<p>Thanks Redbeard for checking on the grades. My d had mentioned it yesterday as she tried to retreive hers. </p>
<p>You are so right about the differences in courses, profs, students....heck, I can recall sitting for the CPA exam with others, still hungover from the nights before, and they passed...it happens.</p>
<p>My daughter also notes that it doesn't always go well for those who don't make an effort and she seems more content at CNU, though the start was rough(as I mentioned before) and transferring out also in her mind. She is, however, seeing opportunities at CNU. She has received good advice on internships, mentorship programs and said there were definitely some challenges. </p>
<p>All in all, a pretty good first semester.</p>
<p>You can see grades now, just click Unofficial web based transcript</p>
<p>i said i rarely do ALL of it.. and i got a 3.52</p>
<p>The quality/quantity of internships has become a top priority in my college search process. CNU just doesn't seem like it has much to offer in the area. Compared to other VA schools like Hollins or GMU (my current top choice) it seems to be lacking in opportunities.</p>
<p>Cleaning up some loose ends:
A Merry Christmas to all--especially you, Mr. Pedsox. Keep posting yourself, because few real life students take the time to participate in the CC community. </p>
<p>And to you, tron, I think you're selling yourself short. A 3.52 is a terrific GPA, and I don't think you need to feel inferior because it was at CNU. I realize you're planning to transfer, but I don't think you'll find yourself more challenged at JMU. Honestly, with that good a GPA, you might even look at UVa, Tech, or even William and Mary. </p>
<p>And, as for my son, he, too, cleared 3.0 with a healthy margin. I'm a satisfied customer of CNU. I thought the personal involvement of the faculty helped transform a lackluster high school student into a budding scholar with a real thirst for knowledge and learning. We were going over his requirements, the course curriculum necessary to reach his goals, and he's quite excited about the semesters ahead. </p>
<p>He's read all the comments on the board, and thinks that the CNU detractors are probably over-represented. He knows many who are pleased with the school.</p>
<p>Once again, a happy holiday from the Redbeard household, and may the wind and tides be with you in the new year!</p>
<p>redbeard, I have read and learned from your posts this year. I wanted to wish you happy holiday season too!</p>
<p>Redbeard, Im planning on transferring after this year, and I didnt do as well as I expected for the 1st semester (3.4), but do you think my grades will not look as good as compared to students applying from schools such as JMU who have similar grades? or do colleges not care that much about what school you are transferring from? I planned on applying to UVA as a longshot but someone here posted that "because I go to CNU", I'd need like a 4.0, so I dont know if I have a chance.</p>