James Madison University Top Questions

I wish I would've known that living on campus is much more expensive than living off-campus. I'm paying twice as much as what I would've paid for a bigger apartment. I share a single bedroom with one other student and I pay twice as much as I would have for an apartment with a room for just myself.

I wish I had known how much I would have loved this college. I went to a private university up north and dropped out after three years because of money issues and feeling as though I didn't belong. Had I realized that JMU would be a more affordable and comfortable fit for me I would have come here in the beginning.

To get more involved in activities and that it's okay to be yourself

It's really competitive in terms of getting into organizations and clubs because there are so many enthusiastic and hard working people. This school is more competitive in those terms than it is academically which surprised me.

I wish I had known to check sites such as ratemyprofessor.com or asked other students about the professors because I do not want to miss out on some of the great professors that are at this school.

How challenging the General Education classes were?

How important GPA was in finding a career. Also, I would have selected a major that better fit my personality and what my goals were. The experience was great, but now that I am out, I would have done many things differently knowing how much the rest of my life depends on college.

I wish I had known how amazing of a community JMU is! It would have made my decision a lot quicker and easier.

I wish I knew that it was okay to go to parties and not drink. I chose not to go just to save face, but really I just didn't have the amount of fun and comrodery with my hallmates as I could have. I also wish I knew that it was okay to be myself, my real self. This school is amazingly accepting of all.

I wish I had looked at all of the possible organizations so that I would've joined more of them freshman year.

I felt pretty well prepared for what JMU has to offer when I entered here in 2007. I maybe would have liked to know what places on campus would hire students right away, rather than waiting a few years to get a job at school. If I could go back and do it again, I would have started working at the campus bookstore with the buyback program and then worked on getting hired for the rest of the year. The campus bookstore has many positive, wonderful employees who offer flexible hours based on class schedules.

I wish I had known I wouldn't need all those clothes I bought. I honestly wear sweats almost every day.

i wished i would have known exaclty how fast money is spent when paying for your own education! i wish i would have saved more money.

A more efficient way to schedule classes and get affiliated with my class options.

I wish I knew about some of the other academic programs they have so that I could have gotten involved and it would have helped me keep a better GPA. They don't give their programs enough credit, they really work, but they don't advertise them as much as they should!

How much of a party school JMU would be.

This school offers so many cultural experiences and opportunities that are not so readily available in the real world. Plays, concerts, lectures, these are all things that the school has to offer its students and once you leave college these things are not so easy to come by. Take advantage of them when you can.

I wish i was made aware of the majority of girls that the campus is made up of and that the classes at times especially in gen eds are very large.

I wish I had known that there isn't very good internet access in the dorms.

I wish i knew the challenge of adjusting to a new place and new people.