Hey guys! So basically I am an american citizen (because I was born there) but i have been raised overseas my whole life and i identify as lebanese. I am applying to both JMU and GMU this fall, and cannot choose which university to go to if i got accepted to both. I visited both universities and JMU has one of the best campuses I have ever seen along with it’s student life. Unfortunately, I was unable to tour GMU but I did see it’s campus and both my parents went there so they did give me a feel about it. For me the most important thing is that i live in a city or near a city, that the community is diverse (with a lebanese community) and that the nightlife is good, and that of course the education is good and that the university is well respected when applying for a job. Now GMU, sounded like all the things that are important to me, however I heard that being a commuter school really brings it down and that its dead on the weekends because there are no parties on campus ( i prefer clubbing and lounges along and house parties once in a while)? Does this really affect the students? I also heard JMU isn’t very diverse. What do you think is a better pick for me JMU or GMU?
What are planning to study?
marketing and graphic design
GMU has shuttles to the metro station that will take you to DC so that is something you could use on weekends when you want to have fun off campus. Across the street there is University Mall which has some restaurants, a grocery store, and a movie theatre.
I found this site with reviews that might help.
https://colleges.niche.com/george-mason-university/
FWIW, GMU is no longer considered a commuter campus. Some stats:
26% of GMU undergrads live on campus. That’s about 5,996 people
13% of JMU undergrads live on campus. That’s about 2,521 people
So there are actually a lot more people living on GMU’s campus than on JMU’s. The only difference is that JMU has a much higher percentage of freshmen living on campus than GMU. I hope that helps put your mind at ease!