James Madison University Top Questions

To visit the school and feel the atmosphere of the students and campus.

Visit and stay at the college to see what its really like without all the tour guides

Ignore all the glossy guides, and talk to people who attend or have attended the school. Most of the things I wanted to know about my university before I went weren't featured in the campus brochures, but were things students on campus considered common knowledge. Talk to students who go to other schools, and find out from them what kind of reputation students at your prospective school have. And, of course, taking a college tour and sampling food at the campus eateries is a must. To make the most of the college experience, figure out what you most want to take from your time at school. It sounds obvious, but looking back I was so unfocused that I only sampled some of the things I would have liked to do because I wanted to try everything. It would have been wiser to pick the things that mattered most to me and to have focused on those few things.

Visit the school and dont only take a tour but talk to the students. Watch them, see how willing they are to help you, if they hold open the door. Ask them about the off campus life and how much partying really takes places. Get the unsugar coated verson of the school. And never rule out places that you think you wouldnt like some places can turn out to be the perfect fit.

James Madison University was, and still is, the right choice for me. Do your research, and don't take pressure from others to major in a certain area or attend a certain school. Being academically successful is important, but being involved in extra-curricular activities and seeing what else the college has to offer is just as important. What's the point of spending all that money if you're not going to enjoy your experience? Once, or if, you figure out what you want to do with your life, try to remain open to all possibilities - I thought I wanted to be a band director, but I discovered that I want to be an English teacher instead, and although I've made the switch, music is still a huge part of my life. And finally, take the time you need, especially if you change majors. Like the t-shirts say, "College - it's the best 5 or 6 years of your life."

Come to JMU!

First, make a list of all of the things that you are truly interested in. Then, decided whether you would like to attend a small school, a medium school, or a large school. Also, try to decide what you would like to major in. Then, after completing this list, begin your college search. You will find the college that best matches everything you are looking for during your college experience. And do not get discouraged if a school does not fit your needs or wants. Good luck!

I believe that it is not only important to look at the academic quality of your potential school, but also to take into account the surrounding environment and the types of activities students participate in on campus. Different schools have different identities. In my case James Madison University was an extremely social school, and students liked doing outdoor sports and activities like hiking, cycling, frisbee and soccer. While this was great for me, people who are coming from a city environment will have a hard timd adjusting. While academics are paramount, students need to consider the environment they will be living in for the next 4 years if they hope to have a positive college experience.

My advice is to visit numerous campuses prior to making a decision.

I would recommend to students and parents that they research the majors carefully at the colleges and find out what kind of employment rate does the college graduates have at their school. ALso, I would recommend that the students establish strong study skills when attending college because it is alot different than most high schools. Get involved in activities to meet new people and be open to new ideas. Don't judge a book by its cover, look deeper into the pictures of the college or university. Spend a day or two walking around campus and interact with the students. Ask about the students college experience and what they have learned or would change at the college. Realize that all colleges are not the same and try to pick out certain things that mean the most to you when you start narrowing down your decisions for colleges. Most of all, do you picture yourself on this campus and where will you fit into the environment. Also, work hard right from the beginning because it is hard to get your GPA up when it is low and will take alot of hard work to get it up.