JMU vs. UVA

Colleges and Universities A-Z James Madison University
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<p>Well I hope to shine some light on the whole situtation. If you want to major in English, Political Science, Business, Foreign Languages go to UVA. If you want to major in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Math, or Music go to JMU. I went to JMU to play a sport my freshman year as a pre-med bio major. I transferred out after quitting the sports team and transferred to UVA. I spent a year at UVA and realized I wanted to conduct meaningful research with publications, I talked to some professors at UVA and I basically got laughed at. Transferred back to JMU. Personally, I like JMU a lot better because of the faculty connections. I conduct research (actually write, carry out experiments not wash beakers as do most at UVA) with a ph.D professor that got his doctorate at a top 25 medical school. We conduct research that is nationally and globally known in a top facility here on campus with SRI. Plus JMU’s breaking ground this spring on a new biotech building which will be absolutley gorgeous. A plus about JMU for undergraduate science is the fact that you’ll be able to get published and conduct meaningful research. I have been published in top research journals and on my medical school track interviews my research has come up time and time again. Look up Top Undergraduate Research Universities and JMU is top 20 by US News & World Report </p>

<p>[Best</a> Colleges - Education - US News and World Report](<a href=“http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/undergrad-research-programs]Best”>http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/undergrad-research-programs)</p>

<p>We’re up there with top notch ivy league schools. Applying to medical or graduate schools JMU is the best way to go if you’re a science major because conducting research is the key to open the door into top graduate schools. On top of research I found that the classes were smaller here at JMU, the people were a lot more friendly (strangers holding doors open, smiling, etc). Professors here care, not that they don’t at UVA, but here at JMU they focus on research and teaching whereas for most my science classes at UVA it was basically a TA and the professor seemed like he wasn’t too interested in teaching. At JMU you’ll have ph.D’s teach you in labs and lectures without TAs grading or teaching anything whereas at UVA you might have a TA run and grade your entire course. In addition, here at JMU professors have very liberal and welcoming office hours. To sum it up go to JMU if you’re interested in science or music and if you’re pre-health or want to go to graduate school for a ph.d in a science related field. The research opportunities here are vast. It looks great, I’m presenting my research in Belgium and San Diego over the summer and going to either UVA or Yale School of Medicine. </p>

<p>Hope this helps.</p>

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<p>UVA has a more national reputation than JMU. JMU is a Masters University. Both schools have pretty campuses, but UVA is simply better in every category. The endowment difference is staggering as well: UVA $3.57 Billion JMU: around $39 Million
 :P</p>

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<p>Had the unique experience of attending UVa in the 80’s and the 00’s. I’ll start with a disclaimer: neither of my sons got accepted. However, I noticed a big difference in the student personality of the 2 different time periods. Party reputation may be one difference, but I was taken aback by the rather robotic personality that is there now - I apologize for saying that - it’s sounds awful, but I felt like I was in a Ritalin trials clinic and nobody was getting the placebo. The students were hyper-focused and lacking in creativity. I know there are many creative people going to school there right now; there must be, but it’s a thinking style. What is the thinking necessary to get straight A’s during the entire risk-taking period on your life which is high school and college? The students did not seem to have an original question, or a desire to think beyond what the professors were spitting out. Our family life was put on hold for a year when one of my sons, who is very academically competitive, strived to get above a 4.0 GPA for UVa. He regretted having not had any fun during his high school years. It was nose to the grindstone, 24/7. The value of fun is not just enjoying being blessed with life, but it leads to breakthroughs in thinking which leads to human evolution. My advice to students in relation to professors and academia in general (and I’m wondering why I don’t hear it much anymore): question authority!! The world is changing and academia may only sometimes be keeping up with that change. Go find the information yourself. A’s may be a sign of mastering the material, but true knowledge comes when you have your own questions and find your own answers.</p>

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<p>Went to wake forest and think you all are nuts 
 Go deacs!!!</p>

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<p>My daughter’s friend said that her mom told her she would not get a good job if she did not get into UVA. I think a lot of students actually believe this, and buy into the idea that certain schools look better to employers. Maybe in some fields. This link lists factors in order of importance in landing your first job: </p>

<p><a href="http://jobs./articles/2009/10/02/getting-a-foot-in-the-door-what-entry-level-employers-want-most/%5B/url%5D">http://jobs./articles/2009/10/02/getting-a-foot-in-the-door-what-entry-level-employers-want-most/</a></p>

<p>There was another article I read recently that listed the college a student graduated from as important by only 3% of employers, but I couldn’t find it online :frowning: The above article lists it as important by 10% of employers, so the average is probably somewhere in the middle. By all accounts, the most important factors are your major and interview skills. A little advice: my husband works for one of the top financial planning companies in the country, and as a manager he routinely sits in on interviews. The number one turnoff in the interview: bragging about where the candidate went to school, especially if they act like that is all that matters. The reason: they assume the candidate is arrogant and won’t be a team player. It’s the number one complaint in his office about young candidates. So in the end, go to the college you want to go to/can afford/etc. Take your classes seriously, but also have fun; when you graduate and interview for your first job, do your research, be eager and don’t act like anyone owes you a job/great salary because of where you went to school.</p>

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<p>Sorry, I didn’t realize the above link wasn’t valid. Google: Getting a Foot in the Door—What Entry-Level Employers Want Most. It’s the first thing that comes up :)</p>