<p>What are peoples thoughts on this public school in Virginia?</p>
<p>Pretty good school that’s mostly women (it used to be a women’s college) and is often overlooked even by VA students. Academically I would say it’s just below JMU and Virginia Tech but better than VCU, George Mason, etc.</p>
<p>University Of Mary Washington</p>
<p>Academics</p>
<p>“The University of Mary Washington is a public bastion of the liberal arts in Virginia. It’s “not too big and not too small,” and it offers “a private school education at half the cost.” Students here complain loudly about their “slow,” “unfriendly,” and “very unresponsive” administration. Financial aid is a perennial gripe, although the school has embarked on a capital campaign with scholarships as a major focus. “Sometimes, I feel students could do better than they do,” wagers an English major. As long as students here don’t have to deal with the staff, though, they’re pretty happy. There are “great research opportunities.” The academic experience is challenging and intimate. “This is an undergrad institution so the professors are here for the sole purpose of teaching,” explains a psychology major. “I like the fact that not a single class it taught by a teaching assistant,” adds an international affairs major. “Most middle- to upper-level courses have fewer than 20 students” and “smaller class sizes help create closer relationships with faculty.” There are some “run of the mill” teachers, but, for the most part, “the professors at this school are absolutely amazing.” “Each one has their own quirks that everyone loves.” They are “usually quite approachable,” too. “Professors greet their students by names semesters after having them in class,” observes a Spanish major.”</p>
<p>Student Body</p>
<p>"“A lot of people will complain that we are not ethically diverse,” says one sophomore. “But I think that the fact that we have such a wide range of political, religious, and sexual backgrounds here makes up for [it].” Almost all of the students are white and from upper-middle or upper class backgrounds.” “There is a strong influence of the preppy” here. However, “students freely mingle with each other without regard to social standing,” and they are quick to point out that “there’s no real cookie-cutter Mary Wash student.” It’s “an eclectic mix,” they say. “There is your typical preppy Polo- and Sperry-wearing guy and Vera Bradley-carrying girl, but there are also a lot of other types of people.” “There isn’t a push to just wear designer clothing.” “If you walk on campus you are more apt to notice the preppy Southern girls walking around, but once you’re in class and living in the residence halls you notice that everyone is pretty different,” says a senior. “I absolutely loathe the idea that ethnic diversity is the be-all, end-all of diversity,” agrees a sophomore. “There are so many people from so many different social structures and outlooks—ranging from hardcore neo-cons to pansy liberals to militant anarchists to theater majors.”</p>
<p>Campus Life</p>
<p>“The Internet connection and the food are “both terrible” bandwith is increasing for fall 2008, but Mary Washington’s “beautiful” campus “feels homey.” It’s fun to “sit on the benches all around campus and just socialize.” “The atmosphere of our school is its greatest strength,” relates a junior. “You don’t get lost here.” “Everyone can find a niche with great friends.” Intramural and intercollegiate sports are popular, but “school spirit (in the artificial, beer-chugging, football-watching, pennant-waving sense) is not required.” There are school-sponsored events, though they tend to “vary in success.” “You need to join a club or sport or else you will go insane or go home every weekend,” advises a junior. Luckily, “it is extremely easy to get as involved as your heart desires.” There’s no official Greek scene, and alcohol and drug policies are “hard ass and zero tolerance.” “The drinking scene is predominantly run by sports teams.” “Fake fraternities” routinely throw parties as well. However, get-togethers are small (typically “between 20 and 40 people”) and, on the whole, “this is not a party school.” For a strong contingent of students, movies and relaxed dinners are very common. Off campus, Fredericksburg’s Central Park shopping complex is a frequent destination. The “quaint” downtown area is “gorgeous to wander around,” too. There are “some cool local bookstores and such,” but, mostly, the surrounding area is “designed for the older tourist.” “Town-gown relations are awful.” Some students spend their weekends “traveling to other universities in Virginia.” “It’s an easy drive to the mountains, the beach, or D.C.” as well.”</p>
<p>I live like 30 minutes away and know plenty of people that attend the college. Mary Washington is very homely and they are very active. It has that liberal arts college feel. An intelligent bunch unlike what I see from most colleges. Academically, seeing as how I’m from VA, I would say its better than JMU,CNU,Radford,ODU,and VCU.</p>