<p>My daughter has applied to Richmond. She likes the school but is not interested in being greek or the party scene. She is serious about her studies and her Christian faith. Do you think there will be girls on campus that have similar interests?</p>
<p>Before I say anything, I'm going to suggest that if your daughter ends up at UR, she should keep an open mind about Greek life - it's definitely very different here than it is at other schools. I didn't think that I would rush, but I did, and now am happily in a sorority, which is nothing like I expected.</p>
<p>That being said, even if she chooses not to join Greek life, there will be plenty of people for her to hang out with. We have a fairly large Intervarsity group here (not sure if you guys have that where you're from - it's sort of like Young Life. They have big group meetings every Wednesday and small group meetings weekly as well that are kind of like bible study I think). They're very active, and they go out and do fun non-partying stuff a lot, like ice skating or outdoorsy things. And the girls that are members I've met are so sweet. I would definitely recommend that your daughter look into it, and maybe contact some older girls who are in the club.</p>
<p>She'll be happy in or out of the Greek system, and they rush late (spring rather than fall) so she has time to decide what she wants to do. I'm not in Greek, but I have friends who are and a friend who has dropped out recently because it's just not her thing, and we're a happy group. </p>
<p>And there is a BIG group of active Christians--I know that sounds really bad, but that's the best I can do at the moment. There's Intervarsity, which is rather active, and I think another group as well--Christian Fellowship? Christian Union? Something of that nature. I studied abroad in London with two girls who were in both, and they were very into it and incredibly sweet, wonderful girls.</p>
<p>How would a fairly liberal Jewish student from NJ fit in? Is there a sense that this is a fairly observant Christian campus?</p>
<p>Thanks for replying to my question. We are from the Midwest. So we don't really know a lot about the area and had only a short admissions visit. As to the partying atmosphere, are there many things to do on the weekends that don't include the party scene? Do many of the students go into Richmond to the restaurants and movies?</p>
<p>Auntcc, people do, but it's difficult to do without a car. Many older students have their cars, and I have mine (freshmen are allowed) but I'm guessing it would be difficult for your daughter to bring hers out from the midwest.</p>
<p>Collegeforme, I actually have liberal jewish friends here. While they obviously are in the minority, (that is, being liberal AND jewish) I wouldn't say that there is a sense of UR being a "observant Christian campus".. I'm not really sure what that means but I really don't think it applies to UR either way. That's the kind of stuff you have to seek out on campus yourself.</p>
<p>I'd stay somewhere in the Midwest.</p>
<p>Visiting Richmond doesn't give one a good feel for life at the school. There is hardly anything to do there. This is one reason why Greek life is so popular. While it is likely that other students will share similar values and experiences, you can probably do much, much better. Richmond is an awful undergraduate experience.</p>
<p>^You sound very bitter about your experience with UR.</p>
<p>Can you please elaborate on how and why is UR "an awful undergraduate experience"?</p>
<p>Isolation
The school is inconveniently located in an older suburb of Richmond. It is not close to anything. If you have a car you can go to the grocery store and go into town, but it's not a good collegiate experience. If you're not from Richmond, you will never feel like it's your home. The University of Richmond campus is a lousy home.</p>
<p>People
Most of the folks are incredibly shallow and one-dimensional. I didn't feel like I met a good mix of individuals while attending this college.</p>
<p>Opportunities
Richmond's idea of opportunities are lousy. Yes they have programs to place people in summer internships in D.C. and over-emphasize study abroad programs. I was looking more for a way to work and intern with actual companies. This is more difficult at Richmond than other schools. After graduation, Richmond provides limited opportunities. It is not a particularly well respected or well known school. With the academic achievements required to get into Richmond, a student could get a lot more out of other degrees from schools with established names and alumni networks that reach much further than Richmond.</p>
<p>The facilities at Richmond are very nice. But, after awhile, I began to resent how "nice" and uniform everything was. I don't think Richmond is a very good undergraduate experience for many people. Some types might fit in there--well-to-do students from wealthy suburbs of DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, Boston + Connecticut will fit in at this school. Others may not.</p>
<p>URDefect - while you may think your stereotypes are accurate, I feel that I fit in just fine at UR, and don't fit the "mold" you stated. My profile? a FAR less than wealthy girl born and raised in a 7,000 person town in DE, surrounded by fields and cows. My town seems thousands of times more boring after spending time at UR. If there was nothing to do there, I don't think that would be the case.</p>
<p>In response to the post about isolation, I love the campus atmosphere. This might be because I'm from a small town, but the small campus and natural beauty make it feel like home. If you do not have a car or friends with a car, campus life could become a little boring. Most people, however, do have access to a car or can use shuttles/the bus system. The city of Richmond has a ton of amazing opportunities. I prefer a campus that is a bit "isolated" from the city but UR is just a 20 minute drive from just about anything you would want to do on a weekend or weeknight.</p>
<p>Although I had never heard of UR until my senior year, the school is fairly well known and consistently ranks in the top on lists for international studies and business. I think most of the students who have been to our Career Development Center have all the tools at their fingertips to get internships and jobs. This isn't a concern for many freshman but nearly all upperclassmen I know have found opportunities through the CDC.</p>
<p>First of all, let me say: "GoodG**A'mighty URDefect" , will you get a life? Or, at least, get on with it...</p>
<p>My daughter is a freshman at UR and I have to say that your question has been my question about UR for the past year or so. I know I sound snobby by saying this, but my daughter is too mature and differentiated to get caught up in the Sorority/Fraternity stuff. Apparently rush was held about a month ago and my daughter did feel left out when her roommate--who she gets along very well with--rushed. Within a matter of days, she got over it though. </p>
<p>I went to a small college that would rival the "Animal House" Greek system. It was stifling. I don't see the Greek system at UR to be stifling so far. My daughter would agree.</p>
<p>I don't plan on pledging a sorority. When we went to visit the campus our tour guide had started to pledge and then realized it wasn't for her (she didn't say why). She commented that she did not feel in any way left out or ostracized afterwards and that she thinks it makes a big difference that the Greeks live with the non-Greeks in dorms instead of separate houses. I think that I'll have so much to do with studies and other clubs and service work that I'm interested in that I don't want to be stuck with sorority duties too. I have a real attraction to UR because of that and the Greek party thing is just something I can add into my already busy schedule when I feel like it.</p>
<p>P.S. I also plan to take my car if I get accepted and that will open up other avenues of entertainment so I shouldn't feel pressured from the Greeks to join.</p>
<p>This is a great thread…mixed info with differing points of view. Thought I would bump it to the top.</p>
<p>Greek life has been present at UR since 1870. Approximately 38% of all students are involved with Greek life. 28% are in fraternities and 48% are in sororities. We have eight national sororities, including Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Delta Delta, Delta Gamma, Delta Sigma Theta, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, and Pi Beta Phi. We have six national fraternities, including Kappa Alpha, Kappa Sigma, Phi Gamma Delta (Fiji), Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Phi Epsilon (founded at UR), and Sigma Chi.</p>
<p>Two key aspects of our Greek life system are the fact that we have no set residential housing for fraternities and sororities and the fact that we have second semester rush. Rush week is the first week back from Winter Break, in January.</p>
<p>There is plenty to do if you are independent and not in a fraternity or sorority. I myself, am independent but I have some friends who are involved with Greek life and some friends who are also independent. There is definitely plenty to do if you are independent. You do not have to rush at all, if you do not want to. I never rushed. I also know of a friend of mine who did not rush during her first year, but proceeded to rush during her sophomore year. So you have that option as well.</p>
<p>Extract from Jeff Kent, Admissions Rep '09, Facebook Group Richmond Class of 2013</p>
<p>I loved Richmond when I visited, but I’m wondering about the social scene.
A ton of girls join sororities and I’ve heard Richmond is a pretty big party school. I don’t plan on joining Greek life, so I’m wondering if there are other things to do on weekends besides the party scene?</p>
<p>Extract from Facebook Group Richmond Class of 2013</p>
<p>Hey Michele,</p>
<p>There are a lot of independent people here at the school who are not affiliated with the greek life. Though the greeks do throw a majority of parties, there is still stuff to do. We have several malls nearby and there is always something going on in the city of Richmond. Before I came here I thought that I wouldn’t enjoy the party scene either, but its actually quite fun, but the cool thing about it is you don’t have to be a part of greek life to enjoy them. I would just encourage you to try it at least a few times before you make your mind up completely.</p>
<p>Extract from Tyler Hungerford, Class of 2012, Facebook Group Richmond Class of 2013</p>
<p>Hey Michele,</p>
<p>To add onto Tyler’s response, the fraternities are who throw most parties, because they have their own lodges (just for parties and meetings, they don’t actually live there)… so sororities don’t really have any of their own parties (besides small gatherings) since they don’t have a place to have them. So as a girl, you have pretty much the same parties available to you whether you’re affiliated or not.</p>
<p>Extract from Kellie Morgan, Class of 2012, Facebook Group Richmond Class of 2013</p>
<p>Michele,</p>
<p>Only about half of the girls join sororities at Richmond and it is not a big deal if it isn’t for you. It is basically just like another club for people who are involved. Most of the events and parties are open to everyone, so you don’t feel like you are not a part of things. I am not in a sorority, and there are times that I wish I was in one, but I am absolutely fine and there are so many other things to do on campus and in the city of Richmond. There are always movies, plays, concerts, and other fun events. In Richmond there are all those things plus much more. As far as being a party school, there are always parties on the weekends, but by no means would I call us a big party school. Also, like I said before, there are tons of things to do that don’t involve partying.
I hope that helped!</p>
<p>Extract from Leigh Moring, Class of 2012, Facebook Group Richmond Class of 2013</p>