(05-30-2013 08:00 PM)jmutoml757 Wrote:  

(05-30-2013 12:06 PM)JMUSteeler Wrote:  Who wouldn't want the reputation of good academics, hot girls, great parties and great food? If you wanted great academics, ugly chicks, no party life and prison-fare, then you were already going to W&M. In order to maintain our reputation of being well-rounded, we have to be good or better at ALL aspects of college life (and pretty much be great at life in general). I agree with Dirty, just own it. Every other school in the Commonwealth wishes they were us.

I'm with you. I love my school. I rep it everywhere in the 757 or wherever I go. Most of the ole dirty people down here are jealous of us and didn't get in. However, they now try to hang that cusa/fbs thing over our head. That being said, the fact remains that many of the kids I talk to down here don't see JMU as having a specific academic specialty or area of excellence. of course, that's not everyone, and I am only speaking for those I know. (my business puts me in contact with a lot of high school student's families) Then the engineering folks around here seem to love vaj tech.

http://www.businessweek.com/bschools/rankings#5

29th ranked business school in the country? Only 2 spots behind W&M?

I'd say that's "excellence"

(05-29-2013 09:07 PM)jmutoml757 Wrote:  

(05-29-2013 08:53 PM)JMUDDOG Wrote:  Do you think as time goes on, JMU will still be known as a "party school"? Do we want that stigma? Also, after the 2010 springfest, it seems like the "partying" scene mellowed out. Will it continue to mellow out at JMU or is that why a lot of people choose JMU to begin with...
I'll admit I did enjoy partying at JMU...actually...those are the best memories I take from JMU Lol.

I don't think it will lose the "party school" stigma anytime soon. It was a party school when I was there and when my daughter attended. I don't have a problem with the party school label, but it is sad when people with whom I speak can't think of anything that JMU "specializes" in on an academic level. They always know the food is good, women are hot, and the parties rage. I know that the business school is great (my major area) and that 100% of JMU's education students often pass the state teacher licensing test. In addition, ISAT brings a whole new area of research etc. The fine arts program seems solid too, but for whatever reason people down here don't seem to respect the academics but think it's a cool school to attend if you don't get into UVA.

I hate to paint with a broad brush, but I have noticed something about 757 kids. My wife is from Virginia Beach, and I know a ton of people from down there. I shared a suite with 3 757 kids my freshman year (only 1 made it back after that year due to academics). Please feel free to debunk this.

It seems that 757 kids are no where NEAR as academically motivated as in other areas of the state. The top students do very well, but after that, there seem to be a sharp cutoff. It is really weird....and maybe it is just the people I know. Maybe it is the beach attitude? I don't know, and like I said, please tell me I am wrong if I am.

Anyway, perhaps that has something to do with the ignorance of JMU? We have the 2nd best B-School in the state behind UVa. We are tops in Music, Nursing, Teaching, and have a wonderful innovative college in ISAT. When I was looking at schools, Virginia had the Big 4 publics (JMU, VT, UVA, W&M) and then the safeties. I know this has changed somewhat with the rise of GMU, but it is odd that people in the 757 would know so little about us.

We are also nationally recognized and known for the quality of our undergraduate research. Especially in the College of Science and Mathematics.

http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreview...h-programs

(05-30-2013 08:55 AM)HyperDuke Wrote:  This is the second thread I've read today referring to UVA as obvious choice #1 for graduating HS students & JMU as choice #2. I understand the academic logic here, but geez. I remember the kids who applied to UVA who were attending JMU were d-bags. I'd rather they not even apply to JMU.

Amen. I have encouraged my kids to apply to all the good in-state schools, but my son wouldn't apply to UVa because he knew he didn't want to go there. Many of my daughter's HS friends went to Uva and had very little good to say about their experience - said it was too much like HS - way too much emphasis on being in the right frat/sorority, wearing the right clothes, being from a certain background, etc.

There are a lot of issues smart kids should consider when picking their school. To pick your school based on which one is at the the top of a certain academic ranking publication is a huge a mistake and ignores a ton of stuff that goes into determining whether you have a great college experience. That said, Uva is certainly a good choice for certain people and I'm sure those people are happy there.

Regarding undergraduate research, my son (STEM major) has done research with two different professors in his department, worked with graduate students on their research, and was given permission to use department facilities to work on some independent research. He just finished his freshman year. He also got to march with the famous MRDs, perform with the awesome pep band, attend his first NCAA tourny games, and play intramural sports with a bunch of fun people he likes hanging out with. I'm pretty sure he doesn't regret not applying to Uva.

(05-31-2013 08:16 AM)JMU2004 Wrote:  

(05-29-2013 09:07 PM)jmutoml757 Wrote:  

(05-29-2013 08:53 PM)JMUDDOG Wrote:  Do you think as time goes on, JMU will still be known as a "party school"? Do we want that stigma? Also, after the 2010 springfest, it seems like the "partying" scene mellowed out. Will it continue to mellow out at JMU or is that why a lot of people choose JMU to begin with...
I'll admit I did enjoy partying at JMU...actually...those are the best memories I take from JMU Lol.

I don't think it will lose the "party school" stigma anytime soon. It was a party school when I was there and when my daughter attended. I don't have a problem with the party school label, but it is sad when people with whom I speak can't think of anything that JMU "specializes" in on an academic level. They always know the food is good, women are hot, and the parties rage. I know that the business school is great (my major area) and that 100% of JMU's education students often pass the state teacher licensing test. In addition, ISAT brings a whole new area of research etc. The fine arts program seems solid too, but for whatever reason people down here don't seem to respect the academics but think it's a cool school to attend if you don't get into UVA.

I hate to paint with a broad brush, but I have noticed something about 757 kids. My wife is from Virginia Beach, and I know a ton of people from down there. I shared a suite with 3 757 kids my freshman year (only 1 made it back after that year due to academics). Please feel free to debunk this.

It seems that 757 kids are no where NEAR as academically motivated as in other areas of the state. The top students do very well, but after that, there seem to be a sharp cutoff. It is really weird....and maybe it is just the people I know. Maybe it is the beach attitude? I don't know, and like I said, please tell me I am wrong if I am.

Anyway, perhaps that has something to do with the ignorance of JMU? We have the 2nd best B-School in the state behind UVa. We are tops in Music, Nursing, Teaching, and have a wonderful innovative college in ISAT. When I was looking at schools, Virginia had the Big 4 publics (JMU, VT, UVA, W&M) and then the safeties. I know this has changed somewhat with the rise of GMU, but it is odd that people in the 757 would know so little about us.

Like I said, I have no doubt about the quality of our school. I was always was proud that we were well-rounded and intelligent folks. You all are preaching to the choir there, but you are probably on to something about the 757. I know that the NOVA public schools seem to be top notch, and I am sure there scores etc are collectively better than most down here. I don't have the figures in front of me. Another thing that is prevalent down here, that may be a trend across the commonwealth, is love for Vag tech. The western 757 is still hunting/fishing and farming area (I love fishing too); though it is growing and changing some, which may be a factor. I am sure it is a fine school on some level (engineering), but I do not understand the affinity. This sounds negative or harsh, and I know some great people who went/go there too. Just my opinion.

and right on cue, Phillip Sims (from the 757) is deemed ineligible at UVa due to academics.

I am from the 757 (Va Beach) - never had any problems with "keeping up" at JMU. It was pretty manageable. Made President's list and/or Dean's list the entire time. It depends on the kid.

Work hard, play hard.

Never had any problem with that moniker and never the need to apologize for it.

Hey, why can't we be both:

US chemistry meeting tackles science of booze
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22083914

Quote:It's not just spirits that have chemists' attention. Even the humble beer presents a complex combination of chemical components.

Christine Hughey of James Madison University worked with a Danish beer maker called Mikkeller whose brewmaster, she said, "takes a very scientific approach to brewing".

We've developed class prediction models, so if you gave me an unknown [beer], I could say 'the hop used in this beer is East Kent and it was made in 2010'”
- Dr Christine Hughey of James Madison University

(05-31-2013 01:10 PM)JMUDukeDawg Wrote:  Hey, why can't we be both:

US chemistry meeting tackles science of booze
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22083914

Quote:It's not just spirits that have chemists' attention. Even the humble beer presents a complex combination of chemical components.

Christine Hughey of James Madison University worked with a Danish beer maker called Mikkeller whose brewmaster, she said, "takes a very scientific approach to brewing".

We've developed class prediction models, so if you gave me an unknown [beer], I could say 'the hop used in this beer is East Kent and it was made in 2010'”
- Dr Christine Hughey of James Madison University

That's the spirit!

I am a big advocate of ALL the VA public schools. Across the board, there are very good options.

Looking at the US News Rankings: California and VA are tops in terms of states. Cal has 5 schools in the top 10 & 3 more in the top 50 - while VA has 2 in the top 10 and 1 in the top 50. NY has 3 in the top 50 and not other state has more than 2. In the regional list Cal again leads with 7 in the top 10, while NY (5), NJ (4), also top VA (3).

UVA, W&M, VT, JMU, MW, and CNU represent VA. Add in VCU, ODU, GM, and VMI - for their specialties and VA with about 1/5th the population of CA matches up very well. I enjoyed attending JMU and have a kid about to finish up at JMU next year, so yes it is a very special place.

Still I interview and work with new grads from all the VA schools - who for the most part are very strong.