University of Richmond Top Questions

On the whole, I have come to admire my peers. As a freshman, my friends have told me they speak five languages, had full rides to Harvard, lived in Italy for a year and currently research the AIDS virus. Most of the students are from Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey so there are lots of regional identities coming together in this school. There is certainly a pressure to achieve high scores in order to make lots of money when you graduate. That pressure comes from parents, peers, and the general atmosphere.

The non-scholars are basically all from the same backgrounds, upper-middle class, white, and preppy. We have a good amount of international students and they organize some really fun activities such as socials, formals, clubs, etc. I would definitely suggest getting involved with the international students as they lively up the place a bit. In the dining hall, athletes sit in one section, frat/sorority kids in the other, non-frats on the other and then some regulars mingle. A lot of cliques and not much interaction between cliques. Most students are from the north, Jersey, PA, New York, etc.

At Richmond you are either in greek life or an athlete for the most part. There aren't a lot of independents. It is a predominantly white school and most of the students are from the North. There is some interaction between different types of students but not all that much. It is a school that favors the left side of the political spectrum but its just a slight majority, most are moderate. Most students just wear polo's everywhere and the girls where pretty much anything.

Generally a very fun bunch. Sure, there are plenty of preps, but there are also lots of other people, there's a crowd on campus for anybody.

non white students probably feel out of place. other than that its pretty open.

My experience with different social groups has been positive. Because we have such a strong study abroad program, our school admits a lot of international students which exposes us to many different nationalities, religions, etc. Within the classroom it is great because we are able to get a much more direct account of global events - globalization is made that much more real for us. Outside of the classroom, though, it is rare to see the international group. The different social groups on campus sort of stick together. If you are involved in Greek life, it is a very plain vanilla group (which is about 50{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the student body). The other half of campus does get exposed to different social groups. My experience has always been that LGBT groups are very open and accepted, but I have heard contrary reports from peers and friends. The races on campus are very divided, not segregated, but we do not go out of our way to mix. Our campus is also very divided based upon schools that we are in. For example, the business school is considered the elite bunch who rarely interact with the Liberal Arts school. This may correlate with Greeks vs. Independents. Most Richmond students are from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. There are Pennsylvania and Delaware students, but more rare is someone not from the northeast. Most students wear jeans and collared shirts, Greek shirts, etc. We dress for class. Rarely (except in the instance of the athletes) do we show up in sweat pants or pajamas. The students at University of Richmond come from middle-class or upper-middle-class. If they aren't, they act like they do. I'd say that 70-80{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of our campus is not politically aware. Those that are, are the very left-wing and the very right-wing parties. Everyone else stays quiet. Everyone in the business school is very open and frank about the fact that we'll be banking millions one day.

Apathy reigns. I'm quite happy we don't really care much about sports here- obsessive sports enthusiasm wrecked my high school. The general level of intelligence is quite high, which was a very pleasant change from high school, and overall people are pretty decent. Just don't be an ass and you'll be ok.

Students often criticize Richmond for being too homogenous, but I must say those who don't "fit the mold" do a great job of making their presence known and respected. The school has been getting through some racial issues and although I can't say segregation isn't present, I think that's something just about every school suffers from. The administration and student body has made a strong commitment to combat any form of racism and prejudice. There isn't a huge LGBT community but I think any students of that type could easily find their niche. Most students are wealthy and are from the Northeast (and probably belong to a country club) but there are students from all over the country and the world. I would not say students are politically aware but rather politically apathetic. I often hear students voice political opinion or back a particular candidate but they can rarely back their opinions up. It's primarily the business students who are career and future oriented; those in the liberal arts just seem to be aimlessly floating around and will worry about the future when the time comes.

Most Richmond students dress nice to class. Everyone likes to look cute. There is some de facto segregation between black students and whites. Let me get myself straight- as far as I am concerned there is not a racism problem. I can't explain it but black students here tend to stick together (I blame the pre-oreintation program, which allows minorities to arrive on campus before the rest of the student body. Therefore, the minorities get to know eachother first and that's who they are comfortable with). It's a weird thing but to my knowledge its everyones own choice who they hang out with, no racism, but thats how it tends to be.

No experience with those groups. They are available though. All students can find a group of their own, but the school is predominantly white. Clothes range from dressing up everyday to students who basically roll out of bed and make it to class. 1 table for greek life, 1 table for independents, 1 table for athletes, 1 table for minorities Most students are from the New England area Upper-Middle class and above Politically aware, but most not active Left/Right -- Ranges Earnings -- yes