<p>I have applied to some amazing schools and I am having such a hard time figuring out which one I would like best. First let me start off by saying that if I get accepted to UVA, that is most likely where I will be going. But, I am definitely not a shoe-in there so I want to make sure I make the best choice on what my second choice will be. I am already accepted into JMU and I will most likely be accepted in UGA and Clemson.</p>
<p>I am a Virginia resident, and while my parents would certanily prefer to pay in-state tuition, money is not really an issue for my family. I am planning on majoring in either Marketing or Fashion Merchandising (which is only offered at UGA). After college, I do plan on going to a graduate school for either Fashion Merchandising or Fashion Design. I am liberal, and while I do not care if others around me share all of my views, I do not want to be scrutinized for my political beliefs. I am also Catholic and would certainly not want to be scrutinized for that but would definitely want to have a church near the school so that I could go as often as possible. D1 football is a huge plus for UGA and Clemson but not something that will make up my mind. Social life is EXTREMELY important to me. I am definitely a partier and I like to have fun but I am also very dedicated to my studies and want to recieve the best education that I can recieve. With that said, the easier the work, the better, as long as I am getting a quality education that will serve me well after college. I will probably rush at all three schools so that I can make friends quickly, but would probably only join a sorority at UGA and Clemson and only if I really felt like I would enjoy it.</p>
<p>Basically, I am leaning toward either UGA or JMU. JMU has the worst reputation academically but would probably be the easiest school and offer a great social life. Plus, JMU is definitely the most liberal and probably has more kids like me. UGA is in a fantastic college town and is sure to offer me a great education and social life. UGA also has a Fashion Merchandising program and a Fashion Design club so that would look really good for graduate school. I am leaning against Clemson because I think it is less of a party school (and people very rarely go out on weekdays) and I do not like that is in the middle of nowhere. I also think the student body is very conservative and I am not sure tht I could handle it. </p>
<p>I am open to everyone's opinions! Please tell me which school you think I would fit in best. I am having a really tough time so please help!</p>
<p>Hey, I’m a current student at Clemson and maybe I can answer some of your concerns.</p>
<p>While we don’t have a fashion merchandising major here at Clemson, we have an excellent marketing major. I’m not very familiar with fashion merchandising but it seems like a very specific major such that a general business major could still enter this field? Anyways, our business program here is excellent. According to BusinessWeek, Clemson has the 62nd best business program in the country (James Madison is 44th and UGA isn’t even ranked but in my opinion there isn’t a huge gap between JMU and Clemson). Clemson is known as a conservative school but in my opinion I think that UGA is more conservative than Clemson. After one semester here, I have yet to have a discussion with anybody here about politics and I haven’t heard of many people here being scrutinized for their political beliefs. The only problem you can possibly have here is that you will be in the minority and come election time you’ll probably be drowned out by all the conservatives. However, I think you’ll be fine here and I think people will respect your opinions here. There is a Catholic church downtown right near campus so if you wish to continue attending during college, it’s definitely an option. The name is St. Andrews Catholic Church. Division 1 football is huge here, game days are an experience that you have to get and won’t want to leave. Just imagine packing a stadium with 80,000 people going crazy and then having people setting up all over campus at 7 AM on Saturdays to tailgate. We made the ACC Championship game last year and we have a great recruiting class coming this year so we should be staying very competitive in the ACC. I have no idea where you came up with the impression that Clemson is not a party school. A few years ago, I believe that we were ranked 2nd in the country by the Princeton Review in the category of top party schools. If you want to go out on the weekdays, we have people who do that here and have a great time,normally not engineering majors like me unfortunately . If you want to stay in and do homework on weekends, we have people who will do that too. If you want to stay on campus but not go to any parties, we have tons of organizations to get involved in too. That said, there’s something for everybody but there are definitely people who go out on weekdays, it just depends on your group of friends. Greek life is huge here, if you decide to rush a sorority, it’s a huge commitment but from friends I know in one, it sounds like it’s definitely worth it. If you decide it’s not for you, be aware that only 16% of students are in one so even though it seems like a big deal, not everyone is in one. As for workload, I know that business majors don’t have as big a workload as everyone else on campus (engineering/science majors) so lucky you! haha</p>
<p>Anyways, sorry I wasn’t being as in-depth as I would like too, I have class in a few minutes but if you would like me to expand on anything or have any additional questions about Clemson, definitely feel free to reply or send me a private message!</p>
<p>Wow, thank you! I did not know a lot of those things about Clemson. I think a lot of my negative beliefs are based on one of my friends who went to Clemson and did not like it. Of course, I recognize this is very rare since Clemson is rated highest among the happiest students. I am going to visit the campus soon and I am definitely interested in the school, I just need to explore all of my options. </p>
<p>If you’re planning on a graduate degree in Fashion Merchandising, I wouldn’t recommend making an undergrad decision based on it. If you’re like the vast majority of entering freshmen, you will not wind up getting your bachelor’s degree in the field that you are planning to pursue now. UGA is OK, but if you ever decide to change to a major with a broader scope, there’d be no good reason for a Virginia resident to go there and pay full OOS tuition.</p>
<p>Princeton Review uses its student Quality of Life ratings to generate their rankings for “Happiest Students.” UGA gets an 85 on the 60-99 scale. Not bad - a solid B. JMU gets a 93 - outstanding; a low A! Clemson gets a 99 and ranks second in the country. As Pierre knows, they put happy medicine or something in the water there.</p>
<p>That’s interesting that everyone is leaning away from UGA. To be honest, I am not really sure what the benefit of having a Fashion Merchandising degree over a Marketing degree would do if I go to graduate school anyway. Marketing may actually be a better foundation to build on.</p>
<p>I’d like to chime in for UGA here just because it doesn’t seem like it is getting anything positive said about it. UGA is conservative, but the town of Athens is not. I definitely wouldn’t say UGA is more conservative than Clemson. And as pierre said about Clemson, gameday at UGA is incredible. Take everything pierre said, but add 12,000 more people and the SEC. The thing about a big school is exactly what pierre said about Clemson - you’re going to find people who go out all the time, people who never go out, and people who go out sometimes. There’s so many people you’ll be able to find a niche. There are liberals at Clemson and UGA. There are partiers. There are conservatives, and there are bookworms. I suggest you visit both and see what you prefer, I think you’ll have a great time at either school. Don’t take one person’s opinion as solid truth.</p>
<p>^Definitely, listen to tons of opinions, I have never been to UGA or JMU and only have heard stories and rumors from people on these schools so I don’t think I am certified to talk about any school other than Clemson.</p>
<p>Making a decision is going to be sooooooo difficult for me. If it comes down to these three, I just do not know where I will decide to go. Anyone’s opinions on what student life is like on each campus would help tremendously! :]. Oh, I have also applied to William & Mary, Boston College and College of Charleston (which I have been accepted to already). These schools are very very low on my list and it is unlikely I will change my mind. But if you think any of those three would be a good fit, please say so.</p>
. If you want to stay in and do homework on weekends, we have people who will do that too. If you want to stay on campus but not go to any parties, we have tons of organizations to get involved in too. That said, there’s something for everybody but there are definitely people who go out on weekdays, it just depends on your group of friends. Greek life is huge here, if you decide to rush a sorority, it’s a huge commitment but from friends I know in one, it sounds like it’s definitely worth it. If you decide it’s not for you, be aware that only 16% of students are in one so even though it seems like a big deal, not everyone is in one. As for workload, I know that business majors don’t have as big a workload as everyone else on campus (engineering/science majors) so lucky you! haha</p>