Virginia Commonwealth University | Student Reviews | Best College

Student Profile

Maddie

Class: Junior
Major: Communications
Gender: F

High School: Brooke Point HIgh School
Transfer Student: N

Big Picture

hmm, The best thing about VCU, probably the diversity. THere are so many different kinds of people. VCU is not the stereotypical college. I don't think I'd change anything, except for the 7-940 classes (too long) and the academc advising...its AWFUL. We also should invest in more student housing. We don't have enough so we are putting students up in close-by hotels. When I say I go to VCU, no one really has a reaction, I'm sure they think I didn't get into another sschool, but VCU's accomplishments aren't publicized very much. I send a lot of time, in the Student Commons. Richmond, va is NOT a college town, but VCU takes up most of the city. It's also the largest employer in Richmond. VCU's administration is decent. Trani, never cancels school for weather because he grew up in the North East and believes the snow we get is a joke. The administration thinks greek life is a joke, so really doesn't do anything for/with them. Well, I'm nott sure what the biggest controversy is, probaly the disappearnace of Taylor Behl in 2005. We also get a lot of pro-lifers on a very liberal/ liberatrain pro-choice campus, thats always fun. We have school pride when it comes to basketball games. Everyone dresses in gold and goes to the game. Unsuall about VCU, we are an open campus, we know tthe names of the bums that hang out around here..haha. We have every different type of restaurant from every corner of the earth around campus, we have Nigerian, mediterranian, African, italian, chinese, japanese, anything you can think of. An experiance i'll always remember if move in day. Our freshman dorms are high rises, meaning there are 18 dorm floors. It was AWFUL. I'm not sure what the most frequent student complaint is....probably just student advising.

Academic Life

Most of the professors in the smaller classes know names. My least favorite classes are anything to do with math. My favorite are art history. Many students study all the time, while otehrs don't. Class participation is usually part of your grade, I think this is for the professors to get to know you. Yes, I know that my friends and I talk about religion and politics outside of classes. I don't think students are competitive, I think a lot of people are born that way. The most unique class, none. My major..ahh my favorite. I am a Mass Communications/ Public Relations major. The mass communications department is taken VERY seriously at VCU..trust me haha. The teachers taht teach the classes, have the backgrounds of being editors/writers/reporters. VCU has a lot of opportunities and a lof of the business offer internships. A lot of the teachers have worked at TIME magazine and Richmond Times Dispatch. No i never see professors outside of class. VCU's academic requirements I believe are not as hard as other schools. But I believe that you learn more about what you're going to need to know for your field rather than wasting your time on gen. eds. VCU is definietly geared to helping you succeed in the work force. There are so many opportuinites that students don't take advantage of.

Student Body

I think, that VCU has a LOT of diversity. People from all walks of life. But I have been a victim on discrimination by the workers at the commons. Its sad that I won't get the friendlist of service because i am not a black student. I think the people that would feel out of place would be the ridiculously preppy kids. I mean granted they would be able to find friends....but we arent a preppy school. Students mostly wear jeans an a t-shirt to class/ The four tables are probably, a bund of scene kids, black students, a table of asian students, and a table of sscruffy looking just rolled outta bed havent showered guys.Most students are from Northern Virginia I've noticed. Finiancial backgrounds probably middle class to upper middle. I think a lot of students are politically aware specially in this election. I'd say most of the students are liberal.