Academic programs are more practical than theoretical; professors are accessible and focused on undergraduates; students are friendly and outgoing.
Of the 18,000 undergraduates, 70% are Virginians, 60% are female, and 15% are involved in Greek life. The student body is fairly homogeneous.
The university is encouraging more students to participate in study abroad programs, hoping to increase participation from 25 to 30%.
It’s an 8-minute walk to downtown with Harrisonburg with restaurants, bars, comedy shows and plentiful off-campus student apartments.
Buses run throughout campus and the surrounding neighborhoods. Students can scan the schedule on their phones. Princeton Review ranks JMU food #2 in the nation.
In order of importance, Admissions considers curriculum, grades in core classes, test scores, and then if considered admissible, optional essay, recommendation and activities.