James Madison University students know that “work hard, play
hard” is a college cliché, but they also feel that no other phrase describes
their college experience better. “Although we get a pretty bad rep for partying, the students are studious and work pretty hard to keep JMU academically successful,” writes a student.
The student body is equally dedicated to their fields of study as they are to
their boozy, off-campus parties. The JMU
experience is all about getting involved, whether with sports, with
extracurricular clubs and activities, classes, or social events. “We do have a bunch of social fraternities and sororities, but we have so many more devoted to business, particular majors, music, and service,” writes a sophomore. “While there are times you wonder how someone made it into JMU, most of...students are incredibly bright, although they may not always act [like] the most mature…and yes, our mascot can take yours in a fight.”
Academics are a prime attraction at JMU. Professors like to get involved with
students’ education, both in the classroom and their lives as a whole. “The education program at JMU is amazing, like a family,” says a junior. “All of
the students in the classes know each other and are friends. The professors know each of us by name, which
makes the entire atmosphere more comfortable to express opinions [in].” Students carry what they learn in the
classroom into their daily activities, and they don’t stop thinking about
thought-provoking course material when the lecture ends. “JMU students do have intellectual conversations outside of class, and better yet, they take what they learn and apply it,” writes a junior. “A friend of mine just led a Uganda awareness week - it was amazing to me all that she had done.” JMU is especially well-known for its programs
in business and marketing, and students say their school’s engineering program
can go toe-to-toe with Virginia Tech’s.
While on-campus diversity could be improved, students say they
embrace and encourage the diversity that already exists in the community. “I think JMU is trying to diversify its student population, as well as make those minority groups feel more welcome,”
says a senior. For instance, “JMU has been
very open to the LGBT group. We have a
day every year where students wear Gay? Fine By Me t-shirts to show that it’s
OK to be gay and that those people are no different than any other.” The majority of students come from
northeastern, white, upper- or middle-class families, and the gender ratio tips
firmly in favor of women (rumor has it 70 percent of JMU students are female,
but actual statistics put the number closer to 60 percent). Regardless of what the stats say, students
insist that anyone can find a place at JMU.
One freshman says, ““No student should feel out of place at JMU. There are so many different types of people and cultures here that it doesn't really matter where you come from. I have personally experienced several different cultures and students promote themselves and where they're from very well around campus helping others to understand and get a feel for different backgrounds.”
Students do seem to spend a lot of their time partying, but
they say there are plenty of other things occupying their time. “There is always a party somewhere each night of the week. We've actually been rated one of the top-5 party schools in the nation by Playboy. It is possible to also have fun without drinking. There's a ski/snowboarding resort only a half-hour down the road, a paintball range closer than that, movie theaters, bowling lanes, downtown Harrisonburg, [and] endless possibilities for fun within JMU and Harrisonburg.”
And while it’s true that the football team doesn’t always finish first, the
students enjoy themselves at games, whether in the stands or at the tailgate
party outside. The frats and sororities
are influential on campus (approximately ten percent of students join, so you
can always find someone wearing a Greek letter shirt), but students say that
you definitely don’t have to join to fit in. “Frats and sororities are not that
important. I still have a great social
life with my friends without being in one.”
JMU students love their school with a passion unmatched at most
liberal arts colleges. “There is a TON of school pride; I don't know anyone who can't belt out the fight song on command,” says a junior.
Whether at football games or just hanging around campus, students agree their
school is number one, throwing the best parties and offering an outstanding
educational experience. “Every student at JMU bleeds purple and gold, and we are THE University of Virginia,” says a sophomore.
