James Madison University Top Questions

Professors really vary. Some of my teachers know me by name while some don't even take attendance.

One stale phrase I hear when I tell people from other schools I go here is,"JMU? Just Missed UVA, huh?" This is some people's corny way of saying that Madison is full of people who were close to getting into UVA, but settled for James Madison. Although, many people who applied to JMU also applied to UVA, I'm glad that I decided to go to here. I'm a biology major, and it's a difficult curriculum. The classes are interesting, though, because the professors care about making sure their students understand. Most classes I go to highly encourage participation in lecture, and the two biology professors I've had have been awesome people. JMU highly gears people towards being successful, useful citizens in today's society.

Some professors know my name, some don't. The class sizes aren't that big once you are in your major specific classes. How personal you get with your professor depends on the student. My favorite classes are those in my major. I hate Geneds I am a Kinesiology: Exercise Science major with a concentration in Pre-PA. I chose to do Exercise Science instead of Health science. I feel that Kinesiology offers information that I will your inside and outside of my intended profession. The teachers are great and the academic advisor (Paula) is AMAZING.

Most professors know your name, but if you are in a GenEDs class it is doubtful unless it's a class of 40 or below. My favorite class would have to be my GCOM class when I was a freshman. The professor was amazing and it made me really start to love this place, even before I got into higher level classes. My least favorite class was MATH 220. I'm not a math person, and the class is just bad if you don't have the right professor. Students study a lot, but also play a lot. Don't come near the library during finals week, you won't be able to find a place to sit. Class participation is common, but unlikely in a huge lecture class. It's usually a part of your grade and it is expected by most professors. JMU students do have intellectual conversations outside of class and take delight in what they learn here. From what I know students aren't really that competitive. We are all on the same level and if one has a higher GPA than the other it doesn't make that person like the other any less. We are all here to learn, not compete. The most unique class that I have taken would have to be Sociology of Consumption. It taught us about American's and what they consume and how you can actually live without material items. My major is Psychology. It's one of the bigger majors on campus and you have to apply to be accepted into it. I love the department and we just got a new building so it's nice to go there and call it our own. Everyone is really close and open to helping each other which makes it a great atmosphere for us to learn. No, i do not spend time with my professors outside of class, but one has a facebook and we keep in touch. I think that the requirements are good, just the Gened's can be a little bit boring and make students feel the need to say that they are stupid. Overall, JMU does a very good job with requirements. It's geared to prepare you for a job, but also make you learn in the process. We have a great university that wants us to succeed and be educated in the process.

it depends on the size of the class as to whether or not a professor is going to know your name -favorite classes are my major classes; least favorite are science classes -dont really socialize with professors outside of class, there are some opportunities depending on the professor though -education is in between getting a job and learning for learning sake; some classes aren't necessary, but you need the credits in order to graduate

most professors do not know my name. my favorite class has been in my major but i cant take most of my htm classes till senior year. my least favorite has been geneds. students study based on their major. as a business student i study a lot. class participation is usually dominated by a few people. i would say more conversations out of class are social then intellectual. i do not spend time with professors out of class. the education at jmu is geared for an overall education not towards a career.

Professors are amazing

-In my small classes the professors know my name and say hi to me around campus - I see students studying all the time -I dont know much about SCOM major because I just declared but I heard the teachers are great! -My education is mainly to get a job

Some professors know my name, most don't, there are could be anywhere from 4 to 150 people in a class. My favorite class is anatomy, my teach is animated and personable, she tries to make everything relate to us. I don't have a least favorite class this semester, but last semester it was Children's Language, my professor was awful! Students study an average amount. Like any college student, most procrastinate, I'm the worst, I barely ever study and when I do I procrastinate to last minute so there's not much time to study. Class participation is common, especially if you are in a class that focuses on discussion and a teacher who wants student feedback. JMU students do have intellectual conversations outside of class, and better yet they take what they learn and they apply it. A friend of mine just lead a Uganda awareness week, it was amazing to me all that she had done. Students can be pretty competitive, but we're not so intense that we're obnoxious. We know we're not perfect, we know we're not always the best, we aren't in class to do better than everyone, we have realistic perspectives. I haven't taken too many unique classes but I look forward to taking a leadership class and a military science class. My major is Communications Sciences and Disorders, I aspire to be a speech-language pathologist. The department is ok, sometimes a little frustrating. It is not a huge major so most classes are only offered at one time. I do not spend a lot of time outside of class with professors but I know lots of people who do. I have mixed feelings about JMU's academic requirements. I have different opinions about the general education program. I feel like most of the requirements should be more of optional for those students who are undecided. I feel it is unnecessary to have so many general education requirements that are similar to high school subjects. The education at JMU is geared toward both getting a job and learning, your major courses really prepare you to get a job in that field. Gen Eds and electives are mostly for the sake of learning and making you a more well rounded person.

Some professors know my name, depends on class size and such. My favorite class is Anatomy this semester the professor is enthusiastic and outgoing. My least favorite is History because I absolutely hate history. Right before a test students study pretty often, in between tests, not so much. Class participation is common. We do have intellectual conversations outside of class, you just have to catch us at the right time and place. Students are very competitive, everyone wants to be the best. The most unique class so far is Global Politics. My major is Nursing however I have not been accepted into the program yet so I am just taking pre-reqs until I find out whether or not I have gotten in. The only time I spend with any of my professors outside of class is during office hours. I think JMU's academic requirements are tough but fair. Education at JMU is both geared towards getting a career and learning for it's own sake.