<p>Hi! I recently received the amazing news that I was accepted into both VCU (Virginia commonwealth university) and JMU (James Madison university) I am planning in majoring in health sciences, most likely nutrition based, and I am at a loss of which school to choose. I have friends who love both and I have visited both and liked them about the same. Both have a pretty good social atmosphere as well, I don't know which stands out as a better college. I was wondering what other peoples thoughts were about my college choices? Thanks!</p>
<p>JMU is very popular and seems to have gained a lot of respect in recent years. Isn’t VCU in a pretty sketchy part of Richmond? Harrisonburg seems like a much nicer setting, more of a college town atmosphere…unless you really love the idea of a bigger city. </p>
<p>well, VCU busted one corner of my March Madness bracket, so I don’t hold them in very high regard right now, but other than that these schools are quite similar, including in terms of having significantly more women than men. I think the JMU campus and surroundings are nicer, and they hold a really good poetry symposium there every year called “Furious Flower,” where poets from up and down the coast flock for readings and interactions with young poets. Very nice. But I know JMU better than VCU.</p>
<p>James Madison is the stronger school </p>
<p>VCU is still very commuter, whereas JMU is more residential. JMU is the main thing in Harrisonburg, whereas VCU blends in with the city of Richmond. VCU is very urban and a lot more diverse than JMU. JMU has some diversity, just not as much as VCU. JMU is more selective than VCU, if that means anything to you. JMU has a tighter knit community because of being all residential. Also, I’ve heard that JMU has a lot more school spirit, if you’re into that. You will get a great education at either. I’m more familiar with JMU and know that they have a strong job placement rate in the health fields.</p>