<p>Academically, is it better to be one of the many at UVA, or to stand out at JMU?</p>
<p>If I worked hard enough to get into UVA, I would definantly go there.</p>
<p>From the other thread comparing VA state schools, at least in terms of science departments...</p>
<p>
[quote]
"I just went on a tour of the science facilities, which are recently built, so here's my input on that front.
Their science equipment and buildings are impressive for the size of university that they are, especially because their size means that these are open to undergraduates, which isn't the case even at UVA, where the expensive equipment is reserved for graduate students and research faculty (I also work in a UVA lab). GMU, on the other hand, didn't even have that level of equipment. Science majors are treated very well. One caveat: the science buildings are distanced from the others because they are new.
The old buildings are also very nice. THe bluestone ones in particular are pretty.</p>
<p>Given the choice between JMU and UVA, prices being equal, I'd lean heavily JMU for science. Partly because of what I've said already, and partly because UVA is full of cliques, rather preppy, and does not have a defined campus hardly at all...it's mixed in with Charlottesville. UVA might have a better science reputation, but keep in mind that it has graduate statistics skewing the picture.</p>
<p>On the downside with JMU, I really disagree with their course requirements.</p>
<p>In general, VA state schools are awesome. JMU is no exception."
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Of course, UVA has a lot going for it...it's science has a MUCH better reputation than JMU's and there will be more opportunities to work in graduate labs. However, if you actually visit JMU's science facilities, they are more extensive and impressive than would be expected. I believe the rest of the campus is surprisingly good as well, and this comes withOUT UVA's cliques and preppiness.</p>
<p>There is literally no reason to go to JMU over UVA unless you're receiving a substantial scholarship from JMU. This shouldn't even be a question. And no, I'm not saying this because I go to UVA.</p>
<p>JMU has just partnered this year with SRI, a huge research company from Silicon Valley. This research center is huge and makes their science and technology programs hands down beat UVA. I've been there, and their ISAT program is amazing. Plus, at jmu you can hang around with normal people.</p>
<p>Is this all elaborate flame? Don't get me wrong, JMU is fine at the undergraduate level (I'd easily go there over VT), but it simply isn't on par with UVA, W&M or W&L academically. It's a bold statement to say that studying science at JMU even approaches studying science at UVA...you should at least back yourself with better facts and numbers. And what do you mean about hanging out with normal people at JMU? Are you implying that people at UVA aren't normal? LOL@ your skewed perception of the world.</p>
<p>No...UVA definitely has more money and more professors; I'm just saying that the lack of graduate students at JMU and the fact that FOR A SMALLER UNIVERSITY they have great facilities, you will still be able to get a great science education there, and since it is so much smaller, has a much much nicer campus (in my opinion; Charlottesville is nice but UVA has little defined campus, which I don't like at all) and because the undergraduate science isn't overshadowed by graduate science, JMU might be a more pleasant choice for some people. Some people prefer smaller colleges with nice campuses where the science is actually intended for the undergraduates. As for the social aspects, from living in a student area in Charlottesville, I have some idea of the atmosphere, and don't think it would suit me. </p>
<p>I wasn't bashing UVA; it's a great school, I applied there, and work there, and just don't think it is for me. I was just pointing out that there are still great opportunities at JMU and the OP shouldn't go to UVA just because it's bigger and more prestigious. If they like it and think that they would do well there, they should go. If I have to choose, I would find it a very difficult decision. However, until last week when I toured the new science buildings, I wouldn't have considered JMU over UVA. Knowing that their facilities are much better than I had expected made a big difference, and I was just trying to provide that same information to the OP.</p>
<p>What are you talking about? UVA definitely has a defined campus. We call it the Grounds. You can walk from one section of the University from the Darden School and Law School on North Grounds past the new JPJ sports center through Lambeth past the Architecture School, the Lawn, the old Comm School and the Engineering School to the First Years dorms. You speak as if UVa is like NYU or VCU which blend completely with New York City and Richmond respectively. Anyone who's been to UVa knows we have a campus. It's a United Nations World Heritage site for God's sake.</p>
<p>Yeah, I live here, I know what it's like. Again, I'm not saying JMU is better than UVA; that's not true. I'm just saying that UVA isn't for everyone, and that JMU is a good option too.</p>
<p>For the record, UVA is a great school; I'm not disputing that at ALL.</p>
<p>i would definately choose UVA. You seriously just cannot pass up the opportunity to attend such a prestigious university of UVA. It is easily the Number 1 public university in the US, and it conistently ranks top of the nation in all of its departments. The career alumni is of the best nationally, and you are virtually guarenteed a great job after graduations. Also, the sports are much better at UVA.</p>
<p>I clicked on this thread because I couldn't believe that it was a serious question!</p>
<p>To say that there is absolutely no reason to choose JMU over UVA is unless your getting a ton of money is simply ridiculous and you definately are just saying that because you go to uva(cavalier). i'd check jmu's isat program ,miles, before you read this biased thread. just an example of how uva students think they are better than everyone else.</p>
<p>As A disclaimer, I was rejected from UVA, but I will say that you would have to be wacked out of your mind to choose JMU over UVA. JMU is a nice school and all but strictly based on prestige, go anywhere else in the country, ask 50 people if they have heard of UVA and ask 50 people if they have heard of JMU, and then compare the lopsided results.</p>
<p>strat, your trolling knows no bounds, does it? You're just saying stuff to get a rise out of people. Grow up. JMU is a fine school, but it simply doesn't have the breadth or depth of resources or the intellectual atmosphere that UVA or W&M do.</p>
<p>miles~ i sort of purposely didn't read all the battles going on here to stay focused. if you have the priviledge of choosing between UVA and JMU, there's no question. altho they are both in the wonderful VA State system, that's where the comparison ends. we are OOS for VA, and JMU is thought to be no where near the caliber of UVA. it's isolated, and, unlike UVA looks primarily at GPA, without serious concern for standardized tests, resulting in a student body quite different from UVA. yup, smaller fish...the way to go.</p>
<p>You really cant compare the two schools. Its like comparing UVA to an Ivy League school. Does UVA have kids that are as smart as kids that go to an Ivy yes, but they didn't go so they aren't that smart. UVA and JMU have two things in common. 1. They are in Virginia 2. They are both PUBLIC schools. Its not where you go to school its what you make of it. UVA will get you a better FIRST job then JMU and thats about all. Going to JMU you can be a big fish in a little pond, which means the you will be a stand out. At UVA you are a big fish in the ocean, which means your going to be killed by a shark(Ivy League students). And if you want to be a big a fish in the ocean you can do the same at JMU if you major in Quantitative Finance, the only other school on the east coast that offers it as an undergrad major is Princeton. I know two kids that did and they are WORKING (not interning or being an analyst which most kids from UVA become) at Goldman Sachs. Plus go to JMU get a good GPA and then go to Darden or any other top masters programs. Where you got your undergrad really doesn't matter anymore its all about having a masters degree now.</p>
<p>[sorry in advance for going off-topic]</p>
<p>Student3311: The difference between UVA and schools in the Ivy league is much smaller than the difference between UVA and JMU. Outside of HYP, the Ivies aren't any different from UChicago, Northwestern, Duke, Rice, etc anyway. There are many, many people at UVA who turned down those schools.</p>
<p>Quantitative Finance is not a particularly special or unique major. Princeton does not offer a Quantitative Finance major. Investment banks and financial firms care about hiring smart people who work hard. Students from a range of math-heavy majors are considered for jobs that demand those skills. At UVA and other top 25 schools, I know of many people with majors in math, physics, engineering, chemistry and economics who are pursuing "quant" jobs on Wall Street. I don't know where you got the idea that major designation is somehow essential to getting a job, or that Goldman Sachs is going nuts for JMU students.</p>
<p>The path to working at a top financial firm like Goldman Sachs generally begins as an intern, while the student is in college. If they do well, they are usually offered a full time position. Out of college, one generally becomes an analyst. Both as an analyst and an intern, one is actually working for Goldman Sachs. Indeed, most UVA graduates who go to work for Goldman Sachs become interns or analysts at some point, but so do grads of every school, from MIT to Berkeley to Stanford. After the analyst level, one progresses through the ranks and pursues an MBA only if needed. </p>
<p>Getting an MBA from a top program is about having top experience, high test scores and usually (but not always) a good GPA. Top MBA programs are filled with students from top ugrads not only because those students are smart, but because they get top jobs. Your undergraduate college does indeed matter because of the peer group you associate with and the job opportunities you receive. A master's degree can be great for some people, but for others, it's not needed. Many, many successful people on Wall Street never needed a master's degree to jump-start their careers. Look at Paul Tudor Jones, for example.</p>
<p>There are a number of great opportunities for a student who does well at JMU, but don't go there expecting to get a job on Wall Street. If I had to pick a state school in VA to attend other than UVA or W&M, it most certainly would be JMU.</p>
<p>It's an interesting debate and I believe it really comes down to what your priorities are when deciding upon a school to attend.</p>
<p>My older brother had to make this decision, and he chose JMU. </p>
<p>In his case, it was mostly because programmatic differences plus a couple of other considerations. He knew he wanted to study computer science, and also wanted to take a lot of history courses, but was not at all attracted to engineering and the general engineering requirements that he would be required to take (at the time, UVA did not offer a BA in CS as it now does). So he decided on JMU because it would allow him to dive right into CS while also giving him plenty of room to pursue other interests as well. </p>
<p>As a UVA engineer, I understand that a CS major in the E-school still allows you to enough room to pursue a minor or even a double major in something like history if you really pushed yourself. However, in my brother's case, the decision came down to the academic atmosphere: while UVA is blessed by being a very intellectually-stimulating place to learn, it's also an extremely competitive place with extraordinarily focused students (almost to a fault).</p>
<p>Therefore, I think a very serious consideration is the academic atmosphere you wish to enter into. In the big picture, the place you receive your undergraduate education is not going to drastically change the course of your life. While UVA technically has better academics, it is not going to offer you any particularly unique set of skills. Any college you attend will, to some degree, strengthen and broaden your understanding of a certain range of subjects; but the real importance lies in the development of critical thinking, writing, and researching skills, of which both JMU and UVA will be able to provide.</p>
<p>tb, very well said! A good friend of mine has a phrase, "school snobbery", that she uses when she hears people talking about one school being more more "prestigious" than another. It is so easy to fall into that mindset whether you are either a parent or a hs senior. I know, I did at first when s started to look at schools.</p>
<p>The thing is, all of the state schools in VA have such wonderful things to offer, yet each has its own feel and particular attributes. There are very smart and driven people at any given one. It bothers me when people (on this board and in reality) discount a student who is trying to decide to go to a school that is less favorably "ranked" or that they see as "inferior". </p>
<p>There are so many variables to consider when choosing a college and everyone doesn't have to feel the same way about any of them. It is great to be able to have a choice and your own fit, isn't it?</p>