Virginia Commonwealth University Top Questions

The student body is generally kind and laid back; no one really cares what you wear, and everyone has a place at VCU

Everyone has some sort of club or organization to feel comfortable in. All groups are very welcoming and the students embrace the multiculturalism. No one should feel out of place. VCU students are usually very accepting to the diverse student population. All the diversity allows freedom and acceptance to students unique style and personality. Everyone dresses casual with their own personal uniqueness. No one is discriminated for wearing things different from the majority of the population. Everyone feels free to be proud of who they are and where the come from. Especially since people come from all over the state, country, even from around the world. Many come from Northern Virginia (NOVA) and the tidewater region. Others come from countries such as India and Qatar. But still the student population is diverse and has people from all over.

I don't know many students at VCU yet, but I am taking a summer masterworks chorale with some undergrad, grad, and community members surrounding VCU. Getting to know these students has particularly helped me to feel welcomed because they do not just talk to the same people- they actually enjoy interacting with the new students and different kinds of people. I think that the only people that would feel out of place at VCU would be people who aren't willing to make new friends who might be different from his or her self.

VCU is a very diverse and open community. After being here for about a year have yet to be discriminated because of my sexuality. I feel that VCU is for everyone and not many would feel out of place here. The style on campus as of late, is more of a Hipster style. Being in a city you find many students focusing on fashion. I would say that the majority of students at VCU are more Liberal. Students are politically aware, which was evident when Obama and Clinton visited campus early spring semester.

There are alot of different people at VCU. VCU has all different races like African Americans, Asians, and all types of ethnicities from all different countries all over the world. I dont think that any student will feel out of place at VCU unless you are not really a people person and stay in your room all day and night.

No student will feel out of place at VCU. Its built on diversity, and runs on what your abilities can bring to the table. They want you to be different, and it does not matter if your rich or poor. I am in the middle of okay and poor. I have never been harrassed for it because you have so many in the same boat.

I was worried there wouldn't be many Christians at VCU because that's what I heard but there really is a core group of great Christian people, you've just gotta be willing to seek them out and you're going to love your college years so much more.

All experiences that I have had on campus regarding racial, religious, LGBT, socio-economic and/or other groups on campus by students have not been negative or confrontational. I believe that a student who is not willing to try something new or try to put themselves out there is not going to feel at home at VCU. Yes, in the beginning everyone feels out of place, but those who reach out to others, get involved in campus organizations and try to learn the most from their teachers will do well here. Different types of students interact everyday at VCU. That was what I wanted the most here and that is exactly what I get. You have such a diverse and unique campus that interaction will happen daily. As for political afiliations, I am not aware of one being more predominant over another. I would say that there are some student organizations which focus on those issues and view points but I wouldn't say that they are overpowering or anything like that.

Very diverse. Lots of scenesters and bicycle kids. Some hippies. Every walk of life is represented. You can wear anything around campus and no one would give a second look.

Diverse, Intimate, Cultural, Monumentally Connected. I am very strict when it comes to other "groups" of people, and I feel that there is definitely a right and wrong... But that doesn't stop me from loving the heck out of them... I develop these relationships as closely as such a friendship would allow, and hopefully influence them in a positive way that doesn't solicit a "Sin-Hater" response... I believe we all should come together and at least establish the fact that we are all created in the same image.

VCU is very diverse in the types of people that go there. There are people from different economic backgrounds. The dress style is very different. We see people dressed as goths and then there are people who are dressed preppy.

My favorite aspect of VCU's Student Body is its diversity. All of the students here are so different and come from so many varying backgrounds. It is rare to find a group of students who all have the same style or same interests. We relish in our diversity. We love to be different from each other, which makes our friends another learning outlet. I am constantly learning about new things and developing new interests because of what my friends introduce to me. I love to walk through campus and think of how different everyone's life is here.

The student body is a pretty eclectic mix of races, genders, sexual orientation, and age. I have been in classes with kids who have just graduated from high school, and 65 year olds at the same time. Unfortunately, I do not spend a lot of time on campus, so I wouldn't know if people discuss intellectual things -- whenever I am there, I don't hear much of that going on.

Our SGA is cool and most importantly they LISTEN to us! They know what we need and they know how to get them! We are the most diverse university,ever! People from different countries,religions,socio-economic,sexual choices and racial backgrounds are here and we are the beating heart of Central Virginia! We have harmony,we have peace and we have respect for each and every one of us!

VCU has a wide variety of all different race of people. I like that alot. I see all typed of the student interacting with each other.

Its diverse and accepting. Its not out of the norm for one person to be dressed to the T heels, jewelry, and all of it and the next person to be in sweatpants and slippers. Mostly, everyone is friendly towards everyone regardless of race, religion, money, major, etc... although people with the same major or people who have roomed together in the past tend to gravitate towards each other.

Absolutely MASSIVE. But I love it!

I am a white male so I did not experience many racial issues. Although, that times, I did feel like a minority on campus. I think that the diverse racial population says something about VCU and shows publicly that VCU does not discriminate in any way. No student would feel out of place at VCU because pretty much every type of person you could think of would go there. Students dress from normal to very abnormal. Most students that I met were from all around VA, mostly. Many international students though too. Many students are very left-wing at VCU. I never heard any conversations about salaries after graduation to my knowledge.

The school is diverse and respects its students. Like most placers, the lawas for queer/gender-queer falculty, staff adn students isn't as equal as for other minorities, but it's changed a lot since I came here in 2004. I think that crazy republicans feel the most out of place because every is fairl well treated. Students wear what they want to wear. There are a lot of different groups, but not always a great mix of those groups on campus. There aren't really just four tables... Most students are from Virginia and most are middle or lower class. Some students are acive in politics, but others are too bust with three jobs and full time classwork to really care. I'd say we're a majority left of moderate. Students don't talk about what they'll earn, but what'll they'll be and when they'll be done paying off school loans.

there are soo many different student-run organizations at VCU. i am vice president of Invisible Children at VCU, we raise money for our partner school in northern Uganda. its awesome to interact with other organizations like the African Student Union to bring together our peers and engage in something outside of ourselves.

I don't think any kind of student would feel out of place at VCU. We have such a large student population here that there is a place for everyone. No one here is the same which I think is an awesome thing. Some students talk about how much they will earn one day, and some talk about how they want to do well in their careers so they can repay everything that their parents have sacrificed for them, but we all have good intentions. I don't know of anybody at VCU who is only looking out for themselves. I know with the people I interact with most often we share about our days or our weekends or what we did over spring break. Overall, I feel like the university has a pretty good sense of service to the community and we all contribute in some small way to it, even if we don't realize it.

Lots of diversity at VCU in all of those categories. A student that chose the wrong major that's in the wrong classes would feel out of place. Students wear clothes: pajamas, sweats, jeans, tshirts, nothing too extraordinary or 'not normal'. Students from Northern VA, VA Beach, or right here in Richmond. All types of financial backgrounds are present. We will all earn a lot or we will marry someone who earns a lot.

i havent had any experience with those types of groups on campus. I dont think any student can feel out of place at VCU it just seems to grow on people and you get used to it. Most students wear whatever is comfortable and you'll see people dressed up sometimes for the heck of it or those who are keeping up with the fashion trends. But for the most part its nothing out of the ordinary. I think alot of different type of students interact because you can always find that common ground between people. 4 tables..you probably have the sports people sitting with eachother, the different cultural organizations, the greek organizations, and whoever else is wandering around. I think most students are from virginia either northern virginia or the beach area down south but you'll also meet people out of state sometimes as well. As far as politically speaking..i think that students are aware but not just very active. I've never really heard students talking about how much they earn..but it has come up on occasion.

i hate to say it but i see entirely too many people in pjs and sweats in class. i dont eat at the dining hall. it smells foul. like you carry that smell with you after you leave. its absolutely gross. students here are very politically active. come aorund campus during any election... okay i dont know.

The different groups on campus are ALWAYS going at eachother's throats- its the kind of school that's so diverse, and nobody is ever quiet- but it's one of the BEST parts of VCU, and the most unique. I can't think of a single student that would feel out of place- you can find almost everything you need... unless you want football. Tables at the dining hall? Art kids, sorority girls, asian geeks, and basketball players. Some students are politically active, and they're usually evenly divided... you get the urban lefters and the rural righters and everyone in between. I can not stress how DIVERSE VCU is!

Being that VCU is so diverse, no one would really feel out of place. There are so many different races, religions, other groups that everyone will find someplace to fit in. The only person that might feel out of place is someone who fits into the "extremely preppy" category. Most students wear whatever they feel comfortable in. From sweatpants and hoodie, to slacks and shirt with a tie, I see it all every day. I see four tables in the dining hall. They are never the same. People almost always come with different people to eat and hang out. Students come from all over the place. All reaches of Virginia and there are always several from NC. Then there is a smattering of students from other states like Maryland. Financial backgrounds are as diverse as the students that go there. There are students who are totally dependent on financial aid, and there are students whose parents give them $1000 per month allowances. A large portion of the students are at least politically aware, though I wouldn't describe them as active. And while there are some right-wing conservatives, the majority of VCU are left leaning or strongly left minded.

VCU is WAY too focused on being "diverse". It seems like the school and much of its students don't even understand the meaning of the word. As a white student, I find that nearly everything from scholarship and academic opportunities, to many of the events around the school are designed with minorities (mainly African American) in mind. Most of the people that work at the dining centers are African American, and many many times they were quite rude to me. I also have a younger sister who is a freshman at the school, and she went to the school step show (which is kind of like a pep rally), however, she and her roommate were the only white people there. She later called me up crying, because a group of black girls had tripped her and called her a "stupid white girl" behind her back. I just wish the school would realize that racism goes both ways and try to serve all of its students and not just the minorities. Most students wear normal casual clothes to class. I think different types of students interact, but I often see groups of minorities hanging out by themselves. A lot of times students (like Asian students) are speaking their foreign language. It makes me feel left out. One table is a table of African American students, one table is a table of Asian students, another is a table full of art students, and the last is a mix of students. Most VCU students are from around Virginia. Most VCU students are probably middle class. Since VCU is in the capitol of Virginia, students are pretty politically active. We often have candidates come to our school to speak to us. Last month Clinton and Obama visited our campus. Most of the students are liberal. I don't think I've ever heard a VCU student talk about how much they'll earn one day. Especially the art students. In fact, it's quite the opposite. We often talk about how little money we will earn.

Oh goodness. We live in the middle of the state capital. How diverse can you get? We're not your Dad's uptight school of the 50s. Or any other generation for that matter. VCU's student body represents every cultural, ethnic, and political view you could come up with. No one is likely to feel out of place, but you are likely to feel lost in the shuffle if you don't stand out. You just have to make a niche for yourself. It's on your shoulders to reach out and find a group or you will for sure be annonymous. And because of classes each group is likely to cross paths. And because we're all seeking knowledge, I really didn't see any hate or annimosity between groups. Truly the only people that I ever heard saying nasty things about each other were fraternity arguments. Never between races or sexualities. As far as wealth goes, you have diversity there too. Plenty of big money out of state and Northern Virginia kids but then you've got kids like me too that worked full time through school and took out all the loans I could. And truly it was more likely that a kid like me who wasn't incredibly wealthy would make it to graduation then it was that all the rich kids would.

Students at VCU are mostly liberal, accepting. There are a couple good LGBT groups that meet regularly throughout the week, and if you can't make the meetings you can always join up with everyone at Godfrey's on Wednesday nights. VCU students generally come from Richmond or the NOVA area. The preppier, more conservative, and religious kids would feel out of place at VCU. Those who are unconcerned about their appearances might.

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.

There is a huge Muslim Student Association, a few Christian organizations, and all other types of religious groups. There are various fraternities and organizations specifically geared towards certain ethnicities (a Filipino student org is really big at VCU), and there is Queer Action, the biggest LGBT organization we have on campus that does a lot. A student that is easily overwhelmed or scared of crowds would hate VCU. It's a big school. I notice a lot of people of Asian descent tend to hang out together. In some ways I think VCU is a little segregated, but I also know people who have friends from all sorts of backgrounds. Table 1- semi-asshole frat boys mixed with total asshole frat boys. Table 2- Artsy kids, Table 3-Asians, 4- THEATER STUDENTS. They travel in mass numbers. You can tell who's rich, I'll just say that. Many students are politically involved, which is something I really enjoy about VCU. I think there's a big mix of everyone, but most of the political or activitist organizations on campus are many more left wing, I think. The people in my major know we won't earn any money doing humanitarian stuff, so we mostly joke around about how we'll be poor but really fufilled.

VCU is a very racially and socially diverse school. There is a very broad variety in the kind of students who attend the school, and narrow-minded people usually have their minds opened when they come here because of that diversity. Also, each group of people have their own organizations and their own voice on campus, so that no matter who you are, you can fit in somewhere. Most students wear casual, yet classy clothes to class. There's a certain "urban style" among students, but people really just wear whatever they want. Students socialize with anyone really, but mostly the people they meet in their classes or extracurricular activities. Most students are from Northern Virginia, out of state, or the Virginia Beach area. Most students come from an upper middle class background. There are some people who are politically active, but compared to other schools it is generally docile when it comes to politics.

Most VCU students come in from about where you'd expect: Fairfax, Richmond, and VaBeach in rough order of proportion. Despite this VCU is something of a global microcosm: you're going to get representation from almost every minority ever. This is a good thing for expanding your horizons and getting used to the wider world, especially if you're coming from a more rural area and are planning on employment in a more urbanized area. The culture shock from this is severe but will wear off, especially as VCU does a good job of turning the first week of the fall semester a veritable string of "getting to know you" events. And with a student body THIS large, you're guaranteed to makes friends of some form. The dining hall is also quite huge and for the first year will constitute your primary means of feeding. In short, if you're a recluse, don't come here. As with most universities the student body is predominantly liberal, even moreso due to aforementioned art scene, though you won't be a pariah if you're conservative as there is a reasonably sized young republicans organization. Just don't expect to be outdoing the young dems for membership. In a nutshell, VCU's great at getting you used to being around a very, very, very wide variety of people of all creeds, colors, incomes, and scenes. As for the obligatory downside, the only universal catch is that due to the size of the student body you'll be waiting in line for EVERYTHING: food, class registration (though god help you if you have to do it in person, more on that later), getting books, if it involves a que you're in for a wait.

Our student body is pretty open. Since we are so diverse we are exposed to many different cultures. I dont think any student would feel left out. There is a club/organization for every ethnicity and racial group, clubs for LGBT, clubs for academics, sororities and fraternities, everything! As far as fashion goes..VCU is so different! You will see every fashion possible on VCU's campus! There are those who dress up everyday and those who dress down everyday, the goth look, the punk look, the preppy look, everything! VCU promotes self expression. You will see students of different ethnicities interacting with one another, it's common. It is common to walk into the Starbucks and see four people sitting together and everyone is from a different background. Most VCU students are from Virginia...we are in Virginia. But you will also find a lot of students from Washington D.C., Maryland, and other states mainly from the north. But we still have students from other states and countries. We are diverse.

Most students have there own "group" they hang out with. It is very diverse so everyone can make friends!

The only real complaint would be when the radical groups come out forcing their pamphlets of religion into peoples hands and talking about abortions and things. The campus should really stop those events immediately after they start. No one would feel out of place because there are so many different types of people represented. The financial background of many students seems to be the loaners. They have tons of loans are worried about how to pay them back. Albeit there are some who are wealthy, for the most part many are scrambling for nonexistent scholarships and bank loans to get through the semester. I know a lot of students just want to make sure they're not living on the streets and won't be in debt.

I don't think anyone would really feel left out at VCU. There is a nook for almost anyone. Most people, I would think, come from moderate income families and come from northern virginia, which actually makes me think the families are more low-upper class.VCU caters to anyone and everyone because they are liberal with their funding and are able to provide money to minority groups who choose to rally. Most people wear casual clothes to class, but I see an occasional pajama set. SKINNY JEANS ARE BACK IN FOR RVA!

I think it is impossible to feel out of place at VCU. With 30,000+ undergrads literally every clique, race, religion, etc- seems to be well represented. The majority are from Virginia though and many know each other from high school. The LGBT community is very well represented and other minority groups too. Like everywhere else, similar people hang out together. You are not going to see a girl from Phi Mu (a popular sorority here) sitting at Schafer with a girl covered in tattoos and piercings. That being said,VCU is incredibly diverse and there aren't any conflicts between groups or races that I know of. Everyone seems to get along.

Most VCU students seem to be from northern va and "757", wherever that is. I don't know who would feel out of place...probably a shy person from the country. The city can be overwhelming. I think it's really important to live in the dorms freshman year, it's harder to meet new people in the city. Different students might not interact at first, but after awhile everyone is cool with each other. The four groups of students in the dining hall: 1. The scenesters. These kids wear very tight jeans and a black tight shirt. They have disheveled hair or maybe a mohawk. They wear bandanas and usually have a cause...for example "go vegan" or "straight edge" etc. You all know who they are... 2. People doing stupid things to pledge for a fraternity/sorority or people that are wearing letters. 3. The rowdy group of friends that don't look like they fit into a crowd, because they all just live in the same dorm and eat together. 4. Random group of asians that don't talk to anyone else.

AGAIN, i love how diverse VCU is and you definitely see all different types of groups and people all over campus. I dont think any student would feel out of place at VCU. Most students wear comfortable clothes to class, lots of school t-shirts and sweatshirts. Yes lots of different students interact. Four tables would be consisted of a lot of different people, not just one group sitting together. Most students are from Virginia, but we do have a lot of out of state students as well as students from different countries. I believe that most students are predominantly left.

As I already said, our campus is extremely diverse. VCU is definitely not one of those all white preppy girl rich boy type schools. There are so many different races and religions but everyone just kind of mixes together an gets along with everyone. I didn't even notice the difference after the first day there. There is also a mix of different backgrounds so I wouldn't say there is a majority of rich people or anything else like that, just a little bit of everything. I don't see a lot of the typical preppy college kid stereotype either except for sororities and frats..but even they aren't too bad. I do think our campus and faculty are mostly liberal though. I do like how a lot of the students here are very trendy, we are pretty on point with fashion. Yeah some people wear a sweatshirt and sweat pants everyday like the typical student but not as much as other schools.

groups on campus: love to recruit out of place: no one wear: clothes that represent themselves and what they like interact: only if there is overlap between them 4 tables: seperated by races (white, black, asian, middle eastern) students from: virginia, mainly from 757 area financial: middle class politically aware: only a minority of students are left right or center: don't know how much earned: all the time when discussing their major

I've been really involved in the cultural organizations. Although some times it is so much for me to handle, I still love it.

Many diverse groups on campus.

VCU is the most diverse school I've ever seen. I have visited other campuses and their racial, religious, and otherwise diversity doesn't even compare to VCU. I don't think a single student could feel out of place at VCU. We have a large art school here. Art kids are known for being somewhat eccentric and therefore have their own sense of style--which is cool--to each his own. We have a fairly large Greek community--collars always popped. We have a large number of international students who try one way or another to assimilate themselves to the university. Four tables in the dining hall: The jocks, the sorority girls/frat guys, the art kids, the Dean and his posse. Most VCU students are from either the Greater Richmond area, Northern VA, or Hampton Roads. I think most students that attend are from upper-middle class backgrounds. Students at VCU, in my opinion, are predominantly liberal.

My experiaces with racial, religious, LGBT, etc are very good, diverse, accepted and encouraged within the student body. Honestly I do not feel anyone would feel out of place at VCU. Students wear a variety of things to class from sweats to suits but mostly jeans with t-shirts. Different types of students interact regularly at VCU. 4 tables in the dinning hall; one would consist of theater students, the other two girls, one with two guys, and the last would be one with three girls that are ethicly diverse. Most students at VCU are from Virginia. Most finanicial backgrounds are from high low class to high middle class homes. Students are very politically aware and active. Most students are liberal or center. Most student do not talk about their future incomes.