CNU - A Parent's Journal

Colleges and Universities A-Z Christopher Newport University
41

<p>Jay, I heard from the dean at CNU that the average GPA was a 2.4 for all four years, and that freshmen were, obviously, lower than that. I've never been able to find that statistic in writing. But, let's assume that it's true. If so, UVa will know it (CNU would release such statistics to a UVa admissions committee, of course.) And, if all those assumptions are true, then the answer would be, no, you don't need a higher GPA at CNU to "compensate" for the "fact" that CNU was "easy". </p>

<p>I think it's likely enough that all this is true that you should fire up that UVa transfer application, and give it your all. (Congratulations on the 3.4, by the way. That's a terrific GPA for your first semester in college!) </p>

<p>We would all like to know the outcome, so be sure to keep us updated.</p>

42

<p>sooooo....some people on here have no idea what they are talking about. seriously. "Bad Newz" that is a ghetto thing people made up to be funny and it stuck. Downtown newport news may be dangerous, but what downtown isnt? Its not like we are talking hampton or norfolk here. the fact of the "boring" newport news is that there is absolutely everything-malls, movies, grocery stores, target, close proximity to every place in virginia worth going to...and so there is nothing quirky or cool about it. at all. and cnu is a dry campus so kids dont like that. they are building a lot of things for kids to start doing too. like little shopping centers and stuff. actually they are building all over the place.there is at least as much to do there as, say, william and mary. and I'd say if there were an armpit of virginia it would go to Hampton. also, CNU has no reason to expand or "beautify" anymore, so they should probably start focusing on academics. AND i think you also underestimate the rate at which it is getting harder and harder to get in. seriously. its pretty darn fast. and the number of people using it as a transfer or transitional school is decreasing. if you happen to have any questions about newport news, ask me. if i seem a little defensive of the place its because i used to live there. to be fair i acknowledge that i don't want like grow up and move back there or go to CNU or anything, but a place sticks with you when you grew up there. ;)</p>

43

<p>is the journal dead/</p>

44

<p>Naw. The journal lives. The communications with the son? Well, that's a different story. So...</p>

<p>Journal, January 30th. Still no word. I think I still have a son at CNU. He managed to call mom on her birthday. He claims he's quite busy (with coursework!). We hope to have another communications window this weekend--if the stars and planets align right. </p>

<p>Why do I feel like the Jet Propulsion Lab writing a report on the Mars rover??</p>

45

<p>CNU may seem great at first glimpse. Sure...beautiful campus, up and coming potential, small classes, professors "know" you, grand residence halls...this all seems dandy because that is what the University is trying so hard to make you believe. Truth is Christopher Newport University is probably the biggest rip off of a lifetime. I am a sophomore here at CNU and have watched MANY of my original class transfer out to other Universitys. The retention rate here is awful. Last year I lived in Santoro hall and TEN people didn't come back next semester. This year I live in James River hall and NINE people didn't come back. Don't get me wrong, these people aren't lazy and dropping out...they are escaping to REAL colleges that care about their students.</p>

<p>Number one reason not to attend Christopher Newport University:</p>

<ol>
<li>RIP-OFF</li>
</ol>

<p>Here tuition is about state-wide average at 2,086 a semester. FINE.</p>

<p>Then you get to the room fee which comes out to be 2,890 WHOA! Do the math and you are paying about $700 A MONTH to share a room withsomeone and share a bathroom with 3-4 people. Thats more than most average apartment rents. By the way you are required to live on campus your first two years.</p>

<p>Already so what about food? A whopping 1,560 a semester which comes out to be around 10 dollars a meal regardless of the plan you get. By the way the food is mediocre at best, lines go out the door around meal times, and there isn't much alternative on campus other than the dining halls. </p>

<p>Okay so you think your done, right? All you have to pay is tuition, room and board? NOPE.
Now you've got the nice fees on top of that.
Technology fee 17.00
Comprehensive Fee 1,672.00 (You read that right!)
Housing Telecommunications Fee 100.00</p>

<p>So a fee of the magnitude of nearly 2,000 dollars must be going towards something good, right? WRONG. Most of it goes towards the wimpy Division 3 athletic program. </p>

<p>Look up how much it costs to go to ANY OTHER Virginia school and by going anywhere else you will be saving yourself 2,000-3,000. </p>

<p>CNU is like a baby step school...a place to go if you don't get in anywhere else (JMU, TECH, UVA) and then transfer out AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. </p>

<p>CNU may be great in 10-15 years ...but its certainly not great now.</p>

46

<h2>Here is CNU's official response to the comprehensive fee:</h2>

<p>Diane Rice,</p>

<p>I just reviewed my current statement for the fall 2008 and noticed
that on top of tuition and room and board there is a significant
additional fee for 1,672 simply titled a Comprehensive Fee UG. I am a
little concerned about a fee that is going to cost me nearly 2,000
dollars without an explanation. Kindly, could you please explain
exactly where this money will go? </p>

<p>Thank you.</p>

<hr>

<p>Ms.,</p>

<p>Our full-time instate tuition and required fees are $3,775 per semester.
This amount is broken down into three components: tuition, technology fee,
and comprehensive fee. The comprehensive fee is a required fee that is set
by the University's Board of Visitors. This fee covers operating expenses
not covered by State funds.</p>

<p>I hope this will answer your question. Please let me know if you have
additional questions, or if I may assist you in any way.
Thank you,</p>

<p>Diane Rice
Manager Student Accounts/Cash Services
Christopher Newport University
(757)594-7336</p>

47

<p>Here is an article about where the comprehensive fee is REALLY going</p>

<p>You</a> pay, they play -- dailypress.com</p>

48

<p>what it is
im back
been at VT for the last 3 years of my life and dont regret it one bit... LOVE it here compared to cnu</p>

<p>i got an email from some guy at cnu asking why i transferred and i asked why he is asking this and he wanted to collect data for why people are transferring out.</p>

<p>i asked him for his results and he would not give them to me :(
at least 60% of my hall from freshman year transferred out or just left all together</p>

<p>another reason i transferred, job opportunity</p>

49

<p>i also heard like 80% of students dont even know who mr. newport is</p>

50

<p>CNU was my safety school... and I am going there next year. Guess where I don't plan to be my sophomore year ;)</p>

51

<p>good idea
getgood grades and move on to bigger and better things</p>

52

<p>I know this is rather belated, considering the earliest post’s date, but I wanted to say something positive in regards to CNU on the forum.</p>

<p>I’ve recently graduated from Christopher Newport University, and for the records, I was accepted into several other schools (University of Florida, Florida Tech, etc.). I decided to go to Christopher Newport University, and I’ve never regretted it (for the record, my GPA ended up being a 3.16, and I graduated a semester early).</p>

<p>For those freshman who claim that CNU is easy, well, I know that it is. My first semester, I breezed through, probably due to the fact that students are required to take introductory courses that are meant to ease you into college life (My GPA was a 3.6+). CNU wants you to be able to be involved in a variety of extracurriculars, and now you have the opportunity to be.</p>

<p>If you want more of a challenge, there are several opportunities to find harder classwork. Look at your major for one. Communications is generally considered an easy major for an example. Being an Environmental Science major, my classes challenged me, and I’m certainly on par with my friends at James Madison University, UVA, etc. Christopher Newport U offers both a honors program and a leadership program that can offer additional challenges.</p>

<p>Finding internships all require on your major. Biology, environmental science, etc. majors generally have a harder time here. I did receive an internship at NASA Langley, which is located in Hampton, VA. Northrop Grumman offers internships to a variety of majors, and if you can’t find anything you like there, then the Office of Career Development has a website with a list of jobs and internships.</p>

<p>All I’m saying is that college is what you make of it. I have a friend who went to UVA, and transferred to ODU. She didn’t bother going to class regularly at either school, and ended up with straight A’s. <em>shrugs</em></p>

53

<p>I’m trying to transfer as well. The dorms are good, but the atmosphere is terrible. There is literally nothing to do and every body would rather go home on the weekends then spend them at CNU. Overall, the people are pretty chill and I like that, but bigger environments with more things to do are ideal for most college students. That is why I, along with many of the kids I know, are trying to transfer to either JMU or Virginia Tech</p>

54

<p>I am on Active Duty Army and a 1997 Graduate of CNU. I recently graduated from the Texas Medical Center, Houston (School of Public Health). CNU was a great experience and I don’t feel at any way that it ill-prepared me for “life”. On the contrary, the small class size and “nothing” to do made it perfect for some of the more “seasoned” students who go to college to learn. </p>

<p>I have always been proud of being a CNU graduate. It maybe the Science Department, but I had a great experience. I liked that the off campus distractions were minimal. For those wanting something to do on the weekends, Hampton campus is all about the extra-curricular activities! </p>

<p>While I was there, HU ran out of test tubes for the Chemistry dept, but the built a multi-million dollar events center which hosted many pop and R&B concerts. </p>

<p>Is that the preferred atmostphere for college? As a 10-year post-graduate and an executive working in the Pentagon, I’ve felt better prepared by the atmosphere that CNU provided over the socially-focused atmosphere that some Universities have placed premiums on. </p>

<p>Parent’s, should think hard about what “College-experience” they really want their kids to receive…</p>

<p>Just my .02…</p>

55

<p>Thanks, everyone, for your posts. My daughter is considering CNU and visited yesterday. The university does not have a formal School of the Arts, but wanted to see what her friends liked about the place. </p>

<p>If she should choose CNU, I’ll write more about our experiences.</p>