<p>I was accepted to high point last week and have decided to attend in the fall...however since i sent in my deposit i've been getting cold feet about actually going there. i was also considering JMU (won't hear back until january) but i feel like it's so different from high point and i wonder if JMU would be a better choice. can anyone help? and is anyone else having the same or a similar problem?</p>
<p>My son had to make the decision between those 2 schools also. He chose HPU and is very happy with his decision however it’s one that only the individual can make for him/herself. He likes the small size of HPU. He felt JMU was a little too big for him and the campus was too spread out. The HPU staff and faculty are very approachable. My son has met with Dr. Qubein, HPU President, on a couple of occasions in addition to having him for the required (for Freshmen) President’s Seminar and he now knows him by name (my son is not that outgoing). The amenities at HPU aren’t bad either. 
That being said, he has some friends who are very happy with JMU. Good luck with your decision. I’m sure your “gut” will tell you what to do.</p>
<p>i’m choosing between the two schools too! JMU is my number one but i was deferred early action…i got into high point early action. i’ve been to JMU and i loved it - it’s supposedly the next “up and coming UVA” and it’s the second best school in virginia besides UVA. its athletics are going up too. apparently, it’s getting really hard to get into! i have friends who go to both and they both love them so much…i think JMU has more of a party scene than high point. i personally feel like people in general take JMU more seriously than high point though, probably because high point is relatively new and JMU has been around much longer. let me know what you decide!!</p>
<p>High Point University was founded in 1924 as High Point college, so its not a new school. However, they have gone through a major revamp the past few years so they are quickly growing and becoming more well known. </p>
<p>You really have to evaluate both schools on a personal level. Don’t choose HPU just because the campus is amazing. People who do that go there for all the wrong reasons. Go to HPU and talk to some professors and really do some digging. You’ll find that they are very personable and they will do everything they can to help you achieve success. No TAs or assistants at HPU! </p>
<p>Also, keep in mind HPU has some very high profile connections and many of their departments can help you get internships with top companies. HPU is HUGE on expanding yourself beyond the classroom and books, so if you’re truly interested in holistic education, I think you’ll be quite happy a HPU. </p>
<p>Just my two cents!</p>
<p>JMU!</p>
<p>It’s in my top two (tied with UMD College Park right now), so I might be a bit biased to tell you go to JMU. </p>
<p>Just from reading HPU brochures and attending an information session, I don’t feel like you would have a real college experience at HPU. It seems like a resort, which sounds lovely, but that’s not what the typical college experience is. They brag about non-classroom learning and try to say that students learn valuable skills from eating at the on-campus steak restaurant. </p>
<p>JMU is awesome, to put it simply. It’s bigger than HPU, but my tour guide explained that it doesn’t seem so big once you find a group of people (join a club!). I’ve visited JMU several times, and everyone’s so friendly and down-to-earth there. Plus, it’s so full of school spirit with people wearing I Bleed Purple shirts all the time.</p>
<p>Finally, I feel like JMU has a better reputation than HPU. That’s not factually based, but read some college review sites and you’ll probably see what I mean.</p>
<p>HPU makes a point to make sure your college experience is not “typical”. Not sure why that could be something negative. </p>
<p>Experiencing college in a nicer environment makes you want to seek and achieve what you have seen in your surroundings for four years. No need to set your standards low right off the bat. Being different is not necessarily a bad thing. Most businesses find success because they were different. </p>
<p>The out of classroom learning is extremely valuable as well. You’re going to forget a lot of things you learn in college, its a fact, as any adult. But the things you learn outside the classroom at HPU will directly translate to the real world, and you’ll use those skills quite a bit. The steakhouse is a great example. The wait staff is trained to help with etiquette as you dine, so over the four years you leave with an understanding of how to ask in a classy environment. That way, when you go out to eat with your boss, you don’t come off as a goofy youngster who never learned any manners… Thats just one example. </p>
<p>Again, though, its all about your personality. The HPU way is not for everyone, I just want people to understand why they do what they do.</p>
<p>Exactly! Many business interviews and meetings are done in restaurants and proper etiquette is important. First and foremost, HPU is a college with small class sizes taught by professors. We visited several schools in NC, some prestigious ones that had dark and gloomy study areas and dorms without airconditioning. A positive learning environment gets my vote. The most important thing my daughter came away with is everyone from HPU we came into contact with is sooooo nice! Every e-mail was personalized and they know her name! Wouldn’t the world be a better place if every place was like this??!</p>
<p>During my visit to JMU I got to meet with the head of the art department, and he took me on a personal tour of the school. During our hour long tour, he stopped at least 10 students and had brief conversations with them–seems to me like the professors at JMU are caring and want get to know you pretty well. Luckydog says “wouldn’t the world be a better place if every place was like [HPU]??!” To me, it seems like JMU professors do a pretty good job of maintaining a relationship with students.</p>
<p>JMU might not have a steakhouse, but its dining halls and on-campus dining places are consistently ranked at the top of college food ratings. </p>
<p>These two colleges are pretty different, so ultimately, it’s up to you. JMU is a great school, and while I don’t know much about HPU, it sounds like it’s an up and coming school. Let me know what you decide!</p>
<p>Ultimately, you’re very lucky to have a choice between these two great schools.
You’ll be happy at either one.</p>