<p>Are there any current students or parents of students who care to comment on their experience at the University of Richmond. What do you like best about the school? what do you like least? How would you describe the academic and social environments? How is the location and surrounding area? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>I would love to hear some first hand information about student life at U. of Richmond as well!!</p>
<p>Our daughter just finished her first semester at UR and we have been to the campus two times. Our impression is that the campus is safe, impeccably maintained, beautiful, friendly and the administration is knowledgable and helpful. Our daughter has found the professors and work challenging and demanding but she also has been able to participate in many activities and social events. She was the only student from her midwestern high school to attend UR and has many new friends. As most students are from out of state, there did not seem to be pre-existing friendship groups. </p>
<p>From a parental point of view, there are several things I like about the school. I like that my daughter's required core class is taught by her advisor who now knows her well. They have had lunch together, gone to a school play and she had her advisees to her house for dinner. There seems to be little grade inflation, at least none that my daughter has encountered. I like the honor code and that my daughter does not worry about her laptop being stolen if she leaves it unattended for a time while in the library. I particularly like the coordinate system so that the females students have their own governing system and school traditions as do the males. My daughter was not particular about single-sex dorms but has come to appreciate that campus-wide arrangement. After two months of school, she really wanted to change roommates. Within two days of starting the process, she had been moved to a new room and even had a choice of new roommates. There were not serious problems with the first roommate but their sleep and study habits made them incompatible. I think that UR takes roommate matching seriously and they seem to have many students who choose to live together in following years. I know a senior who has lived with her freshman roommate all four years and the school has a special dinner to celebrate for all the students who have done that. The rennovated dining hall opened this fall and even my daughter who is a very picker eater has found food to her liking.</p>
<p>That was really helpful, Heidig. What does our daughter do for fun? How big is the Greek thing?</p>
<p>"our daughter"...? haha I think you meant "your"</p>
<p>I think that 45% of the students are Greek although it is non-residential. The fraternities have "lodges" for social events but the parties seem to be open to non-members also. I have been told by several students that belonging to a fraternity or sorority is like another club membership and does not exclusively shape a student's friendship group or all their social time. From what I have heard from my daughter, it seems as if most students are invovled in more than one activity, including intramurals, community service, musical groups, political clubs, religious groups, the newspaper, etc.</p>
<p>Hello, </p>
<p>Im going to be a junior this fall 2007 and I absolutely love my experience here. However I still remember what a tough decision choosing the right college is.</p>
<p>The best part of the school for me is the community in the classroom and outside of it. When deciding where to go to school, I felt overwhelmed because there were so many choices. Compared to the other schools I looked at, what stood out the most to me was the individualized attention. I went to a public high school and I received a great education, but I felt more like a number. On the tour I heard about the small class sizes, but I did not completely understand how all this would affect me until I got here. The education is great, but it is challenging. There really are not slack classes here, but the professors really want to help you. I first noticed that the education was different here in my first semester. I was having difficulty in my calculus class so I contacted my teacher. Her office hours did not work with my schedule so I assumed I would be passed off to a tutor. Right away she opened up her schedule for all the available times. I was able to meet outside of class with her to clear up my confusion. However, the help did not stop there. Even after that session, she continued to check on how I was doing. I really appreciated this extra attention. I quickly learned that she was not an exception; all of my professors have offered their time and effort to help their students.</p>
<p>I really have learned to enjoy this attention after I talked with my friends who went to other universities. The professor will always know my name and remember who I am. This is extremely helpful when discussing my project or class, but they will also know when I have skipped class. My professor wants to work with me and continue my studies. The opportunities for research are here for every major.</p>
<p>This attention will continue beyond just academics. I have been able to build a genuine relationship not only with my professor but also with the dean of Westhampton College, Dean Landphair. She knows who I am and what I am involved in. We can even have lunch together to discuss future improvements. The university cares about you and wants to help make this the best place. If you want to change anything you simply have to talk to others at the university. </p>
<p>Coming to University of Richmond gave me the chance to make my college experience my own. I feel as though I have endless possibilities beyond just the classroom. I love all the opportunities of being involved. I can actually take part of clubs and really get to know everyone. I have been able to join a club called the Collegiate Disaster Relief Team. This club is only 2 years old. It was formed after students returned from helping with the Hurricane Katrina effort. They wanted to take more students from UR to join with this effort. Within 4 months, they were able to raise the money from the university. That very spring break this club was formed and able to take 50 students free of charge. </p>
<p>When I settled into Richmond, I was surprised at the community built among student. The majority of students live on campus (92%) which allows you to really get to know everyone. You eat your meals together and really make UR your home away from home. I love being at Richmond and hate when the school year ends because all my friends are no longer just a 15 minute walk across campus. Students stay here over the weekend. There is always something going on which prevents you from being bored on campus, but you are also close enough to the city and surrounding areas to leave campus. Walking across campus, I will see someone I know along with people I have yet to meet.</p>
<p>We do have Greek life on campus in that we have 8 sororities on campus and 6 fraternities on campus. About 40% of women and 30% of men are involved. I did decide to join one and have really enjoyed it. At UR, we have delayed recruitment so no first years join one until their second semester. So everyone has all of first semester to check it out and see what they would be interested in. There are informational sessions as well to let them know about what is involved with each sorority and how recruitment works at the University. At UR, we do not have residential housing so the students can choose to live with someone from their Greek organization, but they don't actually have houses. But just remember if they do decide to join one that's great, but they won't have to join one. It's very much a personal decision and the campus is genuinely unified among all the Greek organizations but also between the Greek organizations and students who remain independent. I really like how UR has been able to do it. I did decide to join one my second year so I was able to see how it was if I had remained independent or joining one. Either way I had many options. All the events are open to everyone. Everyone gets involved in at least one thing but usually 2-4 so just depending on what youre interested in, you can join.</p>
<p>There are over 280 student organizations that include every club imaginable, club sports, IM, etc. However if for some reason UR didnt have the organization it is really easy to start one. The club I mentioned before CDRT (Collegiate Disaster Relief Team) was actually just started two years ago so it is not a hard process. But if a student doesnt want to do something on campus there are lots to do off campus as well. Richmond is the perfect location. Richmond itself is a great city filled with the downtown life, Carytown, cute little areas to eat, typical mall and other activities and also is rich in history. Also Richmond is less than 2 hours away from DC, VA beach, and the mountains. So although there is always something going on right on campus, students can still go off campus and explore. About 50-60% of students do have cars, but if they dont bring them they arent at a disadvantage. The school has shuttles running to these places.</p>
<p>A misconceived notion I had before coming to Richmond was that everyone was paying the full tuition price of the school and that the school would lack diversity with different social classes. I did not learn until midway during my first year that 2/3 of the students are receiving a type of scholarship or grant to come to UR. Everyone here is so different which makes meeting new people so interesting.</p>
<p>I dont really see any cons at Richmond, besides the work is challenging, but that pays off in the end. The students are able to receive quality jobs after they graduate or continue into graduate schools. It varies depending on the major. Sometimes I wish there were easier classes, in the end I will be glad that I didnt waste my time on those.</p>
<p>Sorry for the length, but I really do love my school if you couldnt tell...
Christina</p>
<p>Im a former student and I hated this school. Heres why:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>It costs too much. Even if you get aid to attend, Richmond is still very expensive, with a cost of attendance well over $40,000. The school I transferred to costs me roughly $15,000 per year. To be willing to spend $25,000 per annum more; $100,000 over 4 years there has to be a SUBSTANTIAL difference in quality. There is not. Richmond is a rip-off. Id rather look at the numbers than some survey posted on the Richmond website.</p></li>
<li><p>Limited job prospects. The Richmond CDC is fantastic at getting unpaid internships, but thats about it. Recent grads, especially those from other parts of the country return home with a piece of paper and no real support in finding jobs. The school is regarded as just another college in 99.9% of everyones mind. It is not a stand-out school. Number 34 on the LAC list is not an accomplishment. For these reasons, the people I know that graduated from Richmond ended up in bottom-barrel entry level positions with kids that went to state schools that arent regarded as all. Example: one of my friends from Atlanta graduated in 2006 with a double major in philosophy and political science. She now works in an office job making 28k a year. The other recent grad that came into the company graduated from the State University of West Georgia. Shes now looking at MBA programs and Law School because she really doesnt have any career prospects. Many other Richmond students go home and wait tables (I know many). UGA grads have substantial opportunities in Atlanta and throughout the South. </p></li>
<li><p>Limited opportunities. Richmond doesnt have sports to rally around. Nobody attends football games and basketball games are hardly attended either despite being on campus. Greek life is a joke because people hardly get together. Most organizations are haphazard resume-filling fakes. Theres a tendency to stay on campus and isolate yourself from the real world. For instance, just about all students that work, do something for the University. Without a car you cant really get anywhere off campus. Its isolated. These are things that really drive the cost of attendance up. Not only is it 47k/yr in tuition and fees, but its also the price of a car and insurance. If you have this kind of money and want your kids to go to Richmond thats all well and dandy, but most people dont. All perspectives should be at least cognizant of the costs that accompany attendance.</p></li>
<li><p>People tend to be naïve and dull. There is a lot more diversity at a state university. There are better people at a state university, i.e. people that pay their own bills and arent just messing around in undergrad. Richmond has a lot of these flippant playboy/girl types that dont really do anything.</p></li>
<li><p>Academics are not any better at Richmond. There are the same opportunities for research, double majoring, studying abroad, etc. PLUS more classes and degree offerings at public universities you could attend with numbers good enough for Richmond.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Even with substantial funding, say a full scholarship, itd be tough for me to suggest attending Richmond.</p>
<p>Hello this is to everyone reading the post</p>
<p>Basically just ignore the bitter student URdefect because she transferred YEARS ago and has taken it upon herself to take all her time and effort to talk negatively about Richmond. She was here for barely a year and her information is completely outdated. Obviously she has a lot of time on her hands that she doesn't want to spend building up her own UGA. Please URdefect get over transferring. Thanks.</p>
<p>For everyone else:
URdefect started her own thread and people have been actively posting against her negativity. I would suggest reading all the answers:
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=372070%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=372070</a></p>
<p>Good luck to all the parents and prospective students! Please don't let a bitter transfer student with too much time on your hands deter you from looking at our fine institution of University of Richmond. I am proud to be a Richmond Spider!</p>
<p>Like it or not, the University of Richmond is not perfect. This is a public forum where people go for opinions related to schools. I have strong opinions about Richmond. I went there, recently, and had a terrible time after thinking it would be a great match. I dont want others to get the entirely rosy feeling about this place and have to transfer out as well.</p>
<p>Also, I wouldnt criticize someone else for doing the same thing youre doing. You visit/post in this forum a lot as well.</p>
<p>Yes, SpiderLove09 posts and visits; so do I. The thing is, we're here to talk about why we enjoy our college. You joined solely to bash another school. Why not write somewhere else about how great UGA is?</p>
<p>No one has ever suggested that UR is perfect. I know it's not; I have my own problems with the school. As I've said in my other posts, however, no school is perfect. I contemplated transfering first semester sophomore year, but as I started to look into other schools, I realized that no school was perfect. Even if I could change to a school that didn't have X, Y, or Z as Richmond does, that school had A, B, and C that I didn't want.</p>
<p>I applied to Richmond on a whim--it fit all of my requirements (school size, a good music and Latin program--at that time I wanted to be a Latin major--within the geographic area I was looking at, a strong academic program) and, when all of the offers came in, UR looked like it would be the school I'd be attending, based on the amazing financial aid I recieved. My parents and I took a trip to see the school (so that I could be at least closer to 100% about it) and I absolutely fell in love.</p>
<p>Two years later, here's my experience:</p>
<p>I love the WILL program. I have been active in it for two years, holding two different exec positions. It has offered me the chance to meet so many interesting women and is the reason I decided that a major in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies.</p>
<p>The dining hall is pretty good. I gained 20 pounds while a friend at WPI lost 15 because she wasn't eating. While I have gotten tired of the food, I still eat there without complaining and enjoy the different choices on campus. No matter where you go, you will get tired of the on-campus food.</p>
<p>I am making the effort to travel to the city of Richmond, and I love it. However, many students don't go off campus because there really is so much to do on campus.</p>
<p>Everyone is passionate about something. Okay, there's a few who are passionate about drinking and the next party, but what school doesn't have those types? So many kids have such amazing dreams and hopes for the future.</p>
<p>The study abroad programs are great. I was in Australia last semester and it was the most amazing experience I've ever had.</p>
<p>All in all, UR has been a great school to me. I recommend giving it at least a second look, a visit, an application even...</p>
<p>This brings up another question, not about Richmond, but about colleges and universities in general. Why do they offer programs like WILL and majors like women's studies/gender studies? </p>
<p>I suppose you'll be looking at grad school in 2 years.</p>
<p>I too am a current UR student, a rising sophomore.</p>
<p>I love Richmond, and I am one of the few of my friends who didn't love it immediately when I first visited. I came in as an English and Theatre major, and I'm thinking about dropping the Theatre major in favor of a major or minor in Classical Civilizations. I've never once even considered transferring. </p>
<p>My freshman year was wonderful. My professors were all wonderful, dedicated people who really cared about the students. If they noticed that one student was doing poorly, they would make an effort to see what was wrong, see if they could help, ask if they wanted to go over the lecture or an essay or something outside of class. Many of my teachers held review sessions on their own time before midterms and finals. My latin teacher even started having lunch with his students every Thursday during the Spring semester so we could have little review sessions each week. My CORE professor was the most brilliant man I've ever met. I swear to God, that man new everything about everything, and if there was perchance something he didn't know, you bet your bottom dollar he'd come in to the next class with the answer. We had so many interesting, worthwhile discussions in that class, and while students may moan and groan over being forced to take it, it really is a great course. If you want to see the books that they're reading next year, you can check out the UR Online Bookstore. </p>
<p>Like I said, I'm highly involved in Theatre, and the program at UR is FANTASTIC. In the spring, we produced Tegonni: An African Antigone. It was a US mainstage premiere, and is going to start touring in London (with the set we built and all of our costumes, etc.) very soon, I think. There are a lot of opportunities in theatre and dance, whether you major or minor in the departments or not. This year, they've cut back on one of the mainstage productions so that the students have more time to produce their own pieces. There are always visiting artists and artists in residence. There are dozens of opportunities, no matter what you're interested in. My boyfriend designed the sound for Tegonni, one of my best friends did costumes for the dance show in February, another friend did the lights for a student production. It goes on and on. If you're really interested in doing something, the professors will find a way.</p>
<p>What else can I say? Richmond is just as beautiful as it looks in the postcards. The food is really good, although it can get tiresome and repetitive at the end of the year. The dorms are nice, they have AC and heat and are completely wireless. </p>
<p>Oh, it's dinner time, but if you want to see some very lengthy discussions of the high points of UR, I recommend URdefect's thread (although you'll have to be prepared for some bitterness, too).</p>
<p>For any of those who would be interested in my response to URDefect's attack on Women's Studies majors, here's the link:</p>