I would be interested in hearing impressions about the 1) education/academics, 2) community, 3) reputation (national?), and 4) general experience at UR’s Robins School. D is looking closely at it and the Isenberg school at Umass Amherst where she is also accepted to the Commonwealth Honors Program. UR is absolutely beautiful but we are trying not to be swept away with that and take in the whole picture instead. UR was her #1 choice but honestly she has been taken by surprise with her state U and Isenberg. We know these are two very different schools but each seems to have their own merits. How to choose? I guess I’ll take $ off the table since they are worlds apart there! Thoughts? Please and thank you.
I am unfamiliar with Isenberg so I will only comment on my experience at UR. As a proud alumnus, I am happy to report that we are very well known for our business school. The Robins School of Business is ranked #16 and our accounting & finance programs are probably the strongest. If your daughter chooses to accept UR’s offer, she will find rigorous, relevant, and meaningful coursework throughout the School of Business. UR boasts the only undergraduate School of Leadership (the Jepson School of Leadership) as well. The nice thing about UR is that she will decide on her particular direction/major during her 2nd year. All students dabble in the same fields their first year.
UR is a very demanding and challenging school yet the small, intimate classes allow for a meaningful exchange of ideas. Professors do not lecture. Classes are definitely student-centered and we always say our school is not for “slackers.” She will find that her professors are very approachable and that they truly want her to learn and master the subject. UR is everything that your daughter fell in love with when she visited. We are a very geographically diverse group of students and everyone is motivated to excel. I was blown away at how talented some of my classmates were when I arrived. The recent admissions profile for the incoming class (2019) of accepted students states the following: 45% of the accepted students rank between 1st and 10th in their class and 76% rank in the top 10% of their high school class. Should you wish to read further, click on the link “admitted students” on the website richmond.edu.
The community is about as close-knit as well. UR is situated in the West End of Richmond and has some of the most affluent homes around. That being said, it is fifteen minutes from Downtown and is in close proximity to a lot of great restaurants. Carytown is a prime destination for many of the UR students and the James River (popular for its water sports) is just minutes away as well.
I loved my time at UR and UR gave me the solid foundation to pursue my masters. I can’t thank the University enough for its rigorous yet stimulating coursework. My brother and several friends from my high school attended their as well. We had similar experiences.
Hope this helps! Best of luck to you and your daughter.
The University of Massachusetts is much, much bigger than UR and the experience will be very different, for that reason alone. I attended UMASS and got a great education, followed by a great job, but had quite a few introductory/intermediate level classes in large lecture halls with several hundred students. There were many more students competing for limited research and internship positions.
Although I loved my 4 years at UMASS, I have 2 daughters at UR who are each having a phenomenal experience. Their classes have all been small and they get personalized attention and develop relationships with their professors. My older daughter, who is a junior, is currently spending a semester at the U of St. Andrews in Scotland, has had paid summer internships at UR, and has been doing research with a professor since freshman year. She has enjoyed all of her academics and experiences at UR so far.
At a research symposium last year, her Organic Chemistry Professor approached my husband and myself, introduced himself, and told us what a pleasure it was to have our daughter in his class. He loved that she always sat in the front and actively participated in the discussion. We received an email from one of her professors during her freshman year with similar comments as well. That type of interaction with parents is unusual at a larger school.
UR is awesome and I hope you and your family decide it is the best fit for your child!
Thank you both for your input. Yes, these are two very different schools. My husband and I, and our older daughters all went to small LACs so we know the benefits. We really never expected that UMass/Isenberg (Commonwealth Honor College is a benefit too + dean’s scholarship) would be in her final mix but they seem to be on a mission and we were so impressed when we went to visit. Yes, I’m not a fan of those big classroom settings as you correctly pointed out. Yet, she’s the type of person who would sit front row and make herself known no matter where she ends up. Richmond was her top choice from the start and it’s likely that she will attend but I am so pleased/proud that she is considering her top state university and all aspects (good & not) of a large vs. small school. We’re going back to both this month. We’ll see!
Anyone else out there have input on UR’s Robins School? I know she wouldn’t declare a major until Soph. year but most like she would be focusing on Marketing or Management (maybe international business or communications concentration).
Thanks again.
I agree with all of the posts from the other UR folks. Like them, I am partial to UR for its small class sizes and challenging environment. The B School has a wonderful reputation and your daughter will get a top-notch education. Employers love UR students and their graduates have no problem landing jobs. I would recommend having your daughter pre-arrange a visit to one of the many introductory classes in the Robins School of Business. Principles of Microeconomics, Principles of Macroeconomics, and Financial and/or Managerial Accounting ate the introductory ones and it would give her a feel not only for the caliber of students admitted but the teaching style of the professors. I’m sure she won’t be disappointed.
UR students are thrilled with their decision to attend the school. I can honestly say the education is everything I expected and then some. Professors really push you to do your best. There are no large lecture halls and the environment is friendly and supportive.
Best of luck in your decision-making process!