James Madison vs. Christopher Newport?

<p>Ahhh I don't know which one to pick! Christopher Newport has been my top choice for a few months now, but after visiting James Madison there were just aspects about it that I liked. Plus CNU had my major/ minor that I wanted but JMU had another minor that I've always wanted so I could doubleminor. </p>

<p>I guess here are my main concerns about JMU:
-Are hall bathrooms a nightmare?
-Are there too few guys?
-Are there too many people to get one on one time with a professor?
-Are there too many people to get a desired internship?
-Are there too many people to get into clubs and activities? Is there too much competition for clubs and such?</p>

<p>I don't have any problems with CNU other than the lack of that other minor. I really like JMU, I just don't know as much about the big campus experience vs. the small campus.</p>

<p>I wouldn’t necessarily call JMU a big campus but definitely at least medium sized compares to most state flagships. College bathrooms everywhere at never desirable and they are cleaned daily and you will be fine just wear flip flops in the shower. As for girl to guy ratio I think it’s around 60-40 when I visited last year I did notice a large amount of girls but maybe that was just cause I’m a guy. Luckily at most big universities professors and teaching assistants are requires to have weekly price hours where you can go discuss topics from class or whatever you would like one on one. Attending office hours even just to make sure the professor knows you is a good idea. Most clubs and activities do not have massive membership so you will be find getting into what you are interested in so lmao options at schools like JMU. Also internahips in general are competitive but coming from a school like JMU and doing well should help your chances. Also in terms of prestige wise and academics JMU is much morenhighlt regarded out of the two schools. Most people have never heard of Christopher Newport. A JMU degree with carry more weight and also what do u plan on studying?</p>

<p>Sorry for some typos I’m on my iPod.</p>

<p>haha it’s cool. I plan on majoring in Writing with a double minor in Film Studies and Music Industry if I go to JMU. If I go to CNU I plan on majoring in Writing with a minor in Film Studies.</p>

<p>I don’t know much specifically on JMU’s writing program but I am sure it is excellent like the overally school. Btw how much would it cost for you to attend each school? Also hos far are you away from both if transportation is an issue. Music industry at JMU is what they didn’t have at Christopher newport?</p>

<p>Well my Creative Writing teacher studied Writing at JMU and he said it was a terrific program. Yes they don’t have Music Industry at CNU and I’ve always wanted to study that. I live about 2 hours away from JMU and about an hour and a half away from CNU. CNU would cost me 19,000ish a year and JMU would cost me 16,000ish a year.</p>

<p>Then this is no brainer, go to JMU. First off the have a minor that you a interested that the other school does not offer. You have heard about JMU has a good department in your specific major. Also JMU is barely rather then newport and will also save you three grand a year, so 12 grand saves in total. Last but not least, a JMU degree with far more prestigious and well known. If I remember correctly, JMU is ranked 1 or 2 for regional schools. JMU seems to be improving it’s status each year which will only help your degree look better. Personally I found JMU to be in a nice location with a gorgeous campus and everyone seemed so friendly and happy.</p>

<p>My son is a freshman at JMU and loves it – claims it’s the quintessential college experience. Although the male/female ratio is now 41/59, that’s about the same as a lot of other colleges – UVA is only slightly more balanced than that, and UNC Chapel Hill is 40/60 male/female…that’s getting to be the way it is across the country, with the exception of tech schools. VA Tech is the only VA state school with more males than females, but females are rapidly closing in even there. Although their football team isn’t as big time as Alabama or Va Tech, JMU’s program is still decent and generates lots of social activities, fun events, and school spirit – which is a key difference from CNU. He has not had trouble at all getting to his professors for extra help at JMU, and each semester, out of five classes, only one has had more than 50 students. He has not had any problem finding space in extra curriculars, and their study abroad options are so numerous that there is something for everyone. They have huge school spirit there, and the campus is exceptionally friendly. One important difference between CNU and JMU to note (which nobody seems to notice, but it’s VERY important), is that JMU’s four-year grad rate is close to 70% and six-year is 82%, while CNU’s four-year is under 50%, and their six-year is only about 54-58%, depending on the year you look at. That says something about how happy the students are with their experience and/or the lengths the college goes to to have support systems in place for their students, particularly freshmen. JMU is excellent in support freshmen. He says his friends are dedicated to their academics yet have good social fun, too. One excellent feature of his orientation and first year there is that every student was able to meet one-on-one with his/her advisor several times at least (or more if wanted), and his advisor kept in touch with him by e-mail and text and also gave him his cell and home numbers – even before he actually got to campus! And may son had to make a couple of complicated changes to his schedule, once during the summer and once at the beginning of the semester…and this advisor was extremely helpful, to the point where he did most of it for my son. He also gave him great advice on how to choose his courses, how they figure into his major, etc. CNU is a nice size, but it’s still very new. I’m not sure what is causing their significantly lower graduation rate (much lower than say, Mary Washington, which has similar caliber students and student body size) – I’d just be wary of that and try to find out what’s behind it.</p>