Keep in mind that JMU is essentially as close to Virginia Tech as it is to Washington D.C. I wouldn’t worry about what goes on all the way down in Blacksburg. Bridgewater College is close, but that was an ex-Bridgewater student.
Harrisonburg is a pretty safe place. My wife’s aunt has lived there for decades. Is there crime? Of course, it’s a college town, but it’s also in the Shenandoah Valley, hours from major metro areas.
My son is an EMT with the Harrisonburg Rescue Squad so I have a reasonably good understanding of what goes on down there. If there were things to be concerned about I wouldn’t send my younger son there.
When your kids move off campus you might actually save some $$$ BTW.
My graduating JMU senior managed his class scheduling so well over the last 3.5 years that he only needs to take 3 classes this final semester. “Part time student” tuition is glorious!
My daughter is looking at Delaware as well. Have you toured it yet? We went on a tour yesterday in the pouring rain. We were only allowed to see the inside of the student center. The rest of the tour was the outside only.
@Candylovemisty we can’t go to Delaware until March due to other conflicts. So, hopefully we will get a nice weather day. Our babysitter went there and got a great education and she loved it. She was in a sorority and made lifelong friends. I love their health science curriculum, which is what she is planning for a major, with a minor in economics. We went to see JMU in November and she absolutely fell in love(plus the weather was gorgeous, so that didn’t hurt!), but was an OOS deferral in EA. So we need to keep Delaware at the top of the list because she’s already been accepted, but I have a strong suspicion that if she gets into JMU we will be done with our search. It’s hard to know the exact timing, so we need to make travel plans to see Delaware anyway. Good luck with your search!
My understanding of the Room Award is that it covers the cost of the student’s dorm room for the length of the award. I have seen one-year and two-year room awards.
Can anyone clarify regarding merit and preliminary financial aid? We weren’t expecting any need based aid but did expect a merit award. Are they saying that won’t be published until June?
I have the same question. I saw the preliminary financial aid document, and we are not qualified for any need based aid. We too expected some merit money. But finding out in June is a non starter as decisions need to be made by May 1, and without knowing the bottom line, there is no way we would commit.
My daughter received notification of a Madison Scholarship (merit aid) via e-mail a little over a week ago. It was reflected in our preliminary financial aid offer.
I really appreciate all the updates from everyone. My son is considering JMU, UDel, WVU (all OOS). Accepted to all and have merit offers in hand from WVU and UDel. Like others here, we are waiting on merit (if any) from JMU before making final decision. Of course, JMU is his first choice.
Curious if anyone knows for JMU if getting accepted to honors is a good indication for potential Madison merit award and if the College of Business has issued their Madison merit decisions?
Wanted to share communication my daughter had with her AO when asking about preliminary financial aid letter and merit:
“In JMU’s process, the various departments across campus make all offers up front in the preliminary financial aid award notice. If you were not awarded a scholarship in your notice, then I’m sorry to inform you that you were not selected. The official award notice that comes out in June is usually only amended to capture changes discovered through FAFSA verification.”
Was very surprised to hear she didn’t get merit aid. Must be due to submitting test scores. She got $15k annually to Udel, and $2k in state to Pitt!!
), but was an OOS deferral in EA. So we need to keep Delaware at the top of the list because she’s already been accepted, but I have a strong suspicion that if she gets into JMU we will be done with our search. It’s hard to know the exact timing, so we need to make travel plans to see Delaware anyway. Good luck with your search!