<p>My D was accepted at VTech and is also hoping to be accepted at JMU (still waiting) - but my concern is the partying. She's not used to being around kids who have ever been drinking in high school, never touched alcohol herself, but still wants to have fun and meet new friends - she is a "good time girl" and wants to go somewhere with a lot of spirit, which it looks like both schools have. Any insight into the types of students there and what percentage you think like to socialize without being part of the drinking scene? Any grasp on the general reputation that way of Virginia Tech vs. JMU? Thanks.</p>
<p>You think she's never been drinking, but how do you know?
Anyways, I think that JMU and VT are very different in the majors that they are best at. What major does your Daughter think she wants to do?</p>
<p>I am a little confused about this thread, does the school matter because of partying? If that, JMU and VTech plus all the other colleges have partying done at their schools. It is simply unavoidable if you plan to attend any college. I've read that being a student at JMU, there are many times when students ask each other to go to parties or what not. It's the same at Tech. Just think also of the size of the school, JMU is what 13,000 compared to Tech being 21,000. I think there would be some more parties at Tech since the size difference but it's all proportional.</p>
<p>Well, she's accepted now, so we'll have to go visit and talk to some students. Thanks. She doesn't need to keep secrets from us. That's how we know!</p>
<p>It's been my experience that JMU has a much better party scene. There are tons of girls (~70% female) and the beer is free. VT, on the other hand, has more males (about 60% of the student body), but you frequently have to pay for beer at parties. There's no reason to assume that your daughter won't be a weekly drinker by the end of her first semester at college (not that there's anything wrong with that, within reason), so quit being naive. The party scene isn't anything to run from, but you should be aware of what it's like. There are weekend activities at any large school that don't involve drinking, but that doesn't mean that they're "best".</p>
<p>Well I think you might have been looking for if JMU has stuff to do that doesn't involve drinking which is definitely offered here. We have movies every wednesday through saturday at the theatre and they are usually movies that are pretty popular. Also there's TDU, a stage that hosts bands or open mic nights on campus. I don't feel like their's any pressure to go out and party everynight but I think it really depends on your friends. </p>
<p>Well that's great to hear your daughter got in and I hope she chooses which ever place fits for her!</p>