<p>We are looking at JMU for my son but we are from Pa. It seems like over 70% of the kids are from Virginia . Would an OOSer feel out of place? Also is it easier or harder to get in as a non-Virginian? Thanks</p>
<p>I teach at JMU. The students I work with from out of state do not seem to feel out of place. In terms of oos students many are from PA, MD, NY, DE, so your S would also find many students from his "neck of the woods". Not sure about your second question.</p>
<p>My son is OOS freshman, from NY. He does not seem to have any difficulties fitting in, he has adjusted very well, and has made a lot of good friends. In my opinion, being there are so many OOS admits, 30%, I would say there is no advantage/or disadvantage to being an OOS applicant.</p>
<p>I was an OOS student at JMU from 1990-1994. I moved back to NY after I graduated but subsequently came back to Virginia. JMU was a great atmosphere. Yes, there were people from Northern Virginia that knew a lot of people on campus already, but I knew them, so everything was good. College is about breaking out of your shell, meeting new people, trying new things...if your son goes in with that attitude he will fit in anywhere, and the JMU community was one of the most down to earth and friendly ones that I encountered.</p>
<p>the most valuable piece of advice I can give about fitting in (and I'm an Army brat so I've done this a few times) is that in the beginning he may feel like just staying in his dorm and doing nothing, but in order to really get over this "post-moving slump" as i call it, he has to just go somewhere to meet people. anyone can fit in anywhere. honestly.
I mean I'm not exactly the most social person (I'm actually pretty quiet). but i still managed to find really good friends in Korea, Germany, and a whole bunch of other places.
Take right now for instance, I'm an up tight preppy white girl, and I'm still able to fit in in the land of "chillax" hawaii.
The most important factor in this, though is if he really wants to be there. If he doesn't, then the "post-moving slump" lasts a WHOLE lot longer, but if he's excited about JMU, then he should be absolutely fine.</p>