<p>DS and I have visited JMU several times and attended a full-day program on their computer science and other science programs. We were very impressed. Not only does the program seem great, there are not a lot of kids in computer science there (or apparently at many other universities) and they have a beautiful new building. The campus is large--you'll do a lot of walking which is good exercise. They have a beautiful new student gym (not for sports teams, but workout machines and the like) and a beautiful new student center/food court, both in the area where the new science building is. I don't think that I-81 running through has any effect on the feeling of the campus. I believe that 60% of the students are female. I echo the observation that everyone is very friendly. JMU is one of the top on DS's list. Oh, and when they tell you the starting salaries for the computer science grads, it might make the top of your kid's list as well.</p>
<p>My son is not interested at all in VT due to the size of the school. Also it is a very popular school among in-state students, and his high school will send a lot of kids there. I think that he would prefer to break away from this group. I don't know why it is so popular, but it could be a party environment--I really don't know. </p>
<p>JMU is more competitive than VT or at least has been harder to get into in the past. From what limited info I got this past spring, it seems that both schools are looking harder at GPAs and less at SATs, at least for in-state students. There were the usual couple of horror stories of students not getting in, and their GPA's were in the 3.0 to 3.4 range, I think.</p>
<p>George Mason will be too close to home for son to consider. I am over there all the time myself, and it is a very pleasant campus and seems very safe. DS has been to camp there. One positive or negative, depending on how you view it, is that GMU has both a concert hall and sports arena that are part of the community cultural calendar, so there are a lot of evening and weekend events--music, theatre, sports--and related traffic. Also, I think GMU has a fair number of commuter students--you may want to check stats on that.</p>
<p>Another plug for NC State. Don't just drive by though. Get out and look around. You can't really see much from the road. I would suggest a guided tour if you have time. Don't be put off by all the bricks. It is an urban campus but the kids there really love it.</p>
<p>At our high school, the majority of students in the 10% to 30% of the class rank apply to both VT and JMU, with those outside the top 25% considering both a reach but possible. The average accepted GPA from our school is slightly lower for JMU (doing the same spreadsheet thing I did for S1 when looking at UVA), but there seem to be lots of examples of people getting accepted at one and rejected at the other and vice versa--not entirely clear why. Our guidance counselor says a student should have a 3.85 weighted GPA to feel fairly comfortable about getting into Virginia Tech (and there are the same horror stories of kids not getting in with GPAs above that, so no sure thing). Our guidance office doesn't keep unweighted GPA's so very hard to translate these numbers from school to school. S2 has a 3.66 weighted GPA (26th% class rank) and 3.21 unweighted GPA. Based on historical numbers from our school, I will be very surprised if he gets accepted at Tech. I feel like he has a better chance at JMU, but still a reach. </p>
<p>Tech has big football and therefore parties on a bigger scale than JMU from what I hear, but Tech is a larger school. I think anybody could find a non-party niche there. We would be ecstatic for S2 to go to either one.</p>
<p>Interesting to hear your observations. From the raw numbers, the stats at VT look a little higher than JMU.</p>
<pre><code> JMU / VT:
</code></pre>
<p>Top 10% Class rank: 29% / 40%
SAT V 25-75%: 520-610 / 530-630
SAT M 25-75%: 530-620 / 570-640</p>
<p>The Naviance scattergrams I've looked at (for some Montgomery County, MD schools) for VT show almost a hard GPA cutoff at 3.2 weighted with no discernable SAT criterion. (Of course, the higher GPA kids tend to have higher SATs, as well.) The JMU scattergrams show a slightly more gradual GPA transition from 3.2 to 3.7 weighted, still not a lot of SAT impact. </p>
<p>I'm still trying to form an opinion on UMBC (we live fairly close-by). It's hard for me personally to shake off the commuter school reputation it had in years past, despite the strides they have made in the last decade. At our kids' HS it tends to be used as a backup to UMD-CP. It doesn't have the full range of engineering undergrad programs due to Maryland politics, but the programs it does have are respected.</p>
<p>Dad'o'2 - I live in Baltimore County and they are putting a ton of money into the school. I am hearing great things about it and some of D's classmates chose it over schools that were much better known. The new performing arts building will rival anything in the state.</p>
<p>Great info, thanks so much. I think we're def going to do VT & JMU (great endorsements & hub's good friend went therealso....and again, son is thrilled w/the M/F ratio!). We will also stop at Geo Mason and have left time to get out & visit NC State on Sat. Hopefully can make an appt there w/short notice.</p>
<p>Have fun Jolynne and let us know how your trips go. The observation/statistical input that TheAnalyst and Dad'o'2 shared for VT and JMU is pretty identical for our s's high school graduating class here in central Virginia. </p>
<p>One thing that I learned after hearing all of the acceptances/rejections from my son's classmates is you can't be sure of anything when it comes to college admissions these days. Make sure your guy applies to at least one or two places that his stats, particularly his GPA, match/exceed just in case. If he can really push hard this semester and continue to get more of those A's I would think that would send a good message, too. GMU is also a great suggestion.</p>
<p>Thanks, KandK. Son was okay w/Rutgers (in-state school)--it's decently affordable (relatively) and has a solid comp sci program (as evaluated by comp sci professionals here on CC!). It's got the lack of mystique associated w/in-state schools, but hoping it might be a safety for him.</p>
<p>It's true (read on another thread) that it's relatively easy to find the 'reach school' part of the application mix, but requires more concentrated effort and thought to find the safety schools which would be worthwhile/enjoyable for student.</p>
<p>Dado2--thanks for that gpa info! Whew re: the weighted. While son's uw gpa is 3.1, his weighted is something over 4.0 (took almost all level 1 honors classes, up until jr year [had 2]). Then again, that's the HS weight. And, he'll have a total of only 4 AP classes. Crossing fingers that it translates to something appealing once the college gpa calculation is applied.</p>
<p>Again, thanks much for all the insights from all!</p>
<p>good luck..my nephew is at VA TEch, my sis went to JMU in their very selective and intense teachers track..and my dad is a Ramblin Wreck and a VMI grad.
I am going to go out there and suggest VMI. Anyone with a 34 ACT will be getting a serious look there for honors and employability is excellent with that degree, and might end up with an in at graduate schools of engineering as well. Va Tech also has superb networking and a very upbeat social scene with plenty of DC kids from all over the world...bringing their excellent public high school prep into the mix at all our state schools. Although Blacksburg is in a rural part of the state, Virginia is a very eclectic state with the beltway corridor feeding a lot of high performanc students into all our schools...and the colleges are quite stimulating with kids from many different origins. George Mason is on a real run at the moment and worth a luck. In privates, I think Bucknell is going to cost a lot but would be a superb private school pathway for you son...good luck and enjoy the process.</p>
<p>Thanks, Faline. You have a lot of family connections to VA schools! I know they have a lot of spirit at those institutions.</p>
<p>Do you mind if I ask why you suggested VMI? Interested because my son has voiced some passing comments at various times about wanting to be a "Navy Seal" -- but I thought it was the macho aspect paired w/a desire to be in 'tough fighting' shape (he's taken up weight-lifting). Super-dumb question...if you go to VMI, does that mean that you'll likely have to fight in the current war? I've been petrified when son casually mentions the occasional military thing (he loves military literature, etc.) so try to ignore it.</p>
<p>well, in full disclosure neither of my son's is applying to VMI or interested in engineering fields...although I am proud to be a 25 years in the USAF military brat. VMI I believe has gotten some interesting language and new paths funded and the facilities are heavily supported by alum.
However, in my corner of VA, VMI graduates are so fully employed and so quickly hired that it is hard not to notice the great outcomes in their civilian lives. I perfectly understand apprehension about serving in the armed forces in an active duty period in our history since I had a front seat to the Vietnam years. It is easy to google graduation and VMI to see the newspaper articles which quote...what the percentage is of commissioned officers in the class this year..which I think was up some due to the nation's obvious need. VMI always gets someone major as a graduation speaker due to the school contributing to the armed forces. And I have toured VMI recently and seen new names of graduates lost in this war honored on campus. Tech also has a historic Corps of Cadets with a proud tradition. VMI classrooms give you so much personal attention that no one graduates without a transformative experience and without maximum personal effort. The boy up the street graduated VMI and was given a free ride to his masters in engineering program in a major college immediately. While a couple of others who went to UVa in that class wander around in the underemployed category a bit, I see VMI graduates fully employed and confidantly stepping into masters of engineering schools in other great places when they are 22. VMI grads are pretty sought after because of the values and work ethic that has to have taken hold after four years of that level of discipline and delayed gratifications and effort. The alum network is amazing and the alum are extremely generous financially to their alma mater. That said..it has to be a fit and for a young man or woman who is in the mood for an unusual four years that includes some sacrifices. There is a payoff.
I am also going to go out on a limb and point out that although I think the Va Tech social scene is largely very positive for a lifetime, there are reasons to be dissatisfied with "dial it in" large section introductory classes taken almost online with very little contact with full professors. There are some classes where you have not a prayer of knowing your teacher, so Tech is the right school for the tightly put together self defined and disciplined self starter. Upper level classes often feature teacher contact and small classes, and the Tech atmosphere is quite warm for a big school.</p>
<p>While VMI offers an intense family experience with teachers who know if you are not in your seat and know you one and all by name.</p>
<p>Thanks so much Faline, that's fascinating. Son could definitely benefit from some of the things mentioned in rela to VMI -- discipline, becoming a self-starter, etc. Just never dreamed that military might be an option. Maybe we'll try to schedule a tour/walk around---we'll have an entire free Sunday before or crazy V-Tech/JMU/drive to D.C. area starts. Again, appreciate the insights. Good to know re: the big classes in intro Vtech courses. Seems like son would thrive w/more one-on-one...if left alone, does just what's needed (unless he loves the course...like comp programming).</p>
<p>
[quote]
it has to be a fit and for a young man or woman who is in the mood for an unusual four years that includes some sacrifices. There is a payoff.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>very very true on all counts. Even if one does not desire a commission the leadership training is invaluable and lasts a lifetime.</p>
<p>Researched VMI, talked to relative who used to teach at a military school & talked to son. Seems he doesn't like to 'have to wear a uniform' & the whole 'break you down' rat line (?) thing. Said it wouldn't be his thing at all. That simplifies it! But, it's always so great to hear other, creative options from other parents w/experience. Appreciate it!</p>