University of Richmond Top Questions

There are tons and tons of ways to get involved on campus, and nearly every student participates in at least one kind of extracurricular activity (club/varsity/IM sports, student government, community service, clubs, political groups, etc). Greek life is also very popular, and while it is a large part of the social scene on campus, it's definitely not the only option. Students don't go through Recruitment until second semester, giving them time to get settled, make friends, and become involved in non-Greek activities. We also don't have any fraternity or sorority housing, and many times students room with friends who are in a different fraternity/sorority or who are independents.

There are tons and tons of ways to get involved on campus, and nearly every student participates in at least one kind of extracurricular activity (club/varsity/IM sports, student government, community service, clubs, political groups, etc). Greek life is also very popular. UR has a delayed rush system, which means that students don't go through Recruitment until second semester. This gives you time to get settled, make friends, and become involved in non-Greek activities. We also don't have any fraternity or sorority housing, and many times students room with friends who are in a different fraternity/sorority or who are independents.

There are tons and tons of ways to get involved on campus, and nearly every student participates in at least one kind of extracurricular activity (club/varsity/IM sports, student government, community service, clubs, political groups, etc). Greek life is also very popular. UR has a delayed rush system, which means that students don't go through Recruitment until second semester. This gives you time to get settled, make friends, and become involved in non-Greek activities. We also don't have any fraternity or sorority housing, and many times students room with friends who are in a different fraternity/sorority or who are independents.

There are tons and tons of ways to get involved on campus, and nearly every student participates in at least one kind of extracurricular activity (club/varsity/IM sports, student government, community service, clubs, political groups, etc). Greek life is also very popular. UR has a delayed rush system, which means that students don't go through Recruitment until second semester. This gives you time to get settled, make friends, and become involved in non-Greek activities. We also don't have any fraternity or sorority housing, and many times students room with friends who are in a different fraternity/sorority or who are independents.

There is so much to do on campus that anyone can find up to 10 activities/groups to get involved with. Greek life is popular but not necessary whatsoever. You can go to all the same Greek parties and events even if you are not a brother or sister. There is always something to do on campus 24/7 and you make your experience at Richmond what you want it to be. Most students are always involved and super busy. The common joke is that UofR students struggle to fit everything that they want to put onto their resume on one page...it's basically impossible for most UofR students.

I'm involved with the orchestra, Intervaristy Christian Fellowship, a science honor society, and a green advocacy group. Some of the most popular groups on campus include the sororities and fraternities (both social and service-oriented). We also have a large intramural sports system, and there is a lot of participation in that. Many students are involved in student government. One of the most distinctive things about Richmond is the number of students who participate in study abroad. I (and most of my friends) have studies abroad or are planning to in a future semester.

The most popular activities on campus are sororities and fraternities, a capella groups, and advocacy groups. We have environmental groups, pro-life and pro-choice groups, community service groups, and political groups. Club and intramural sports are also super popular. I'm involved in the Glee Club on campus, a service fraternity, a mentor program, and guitar class. Students are very open, leaving laptops in the library and phones on dining hall tables. Richmond also has some cool traditions like Ring Dance (a dance for junior girls), Pig Roast (a big party in march), and beach week (the first week of summer).

Greek life is big for people involved. About 1/2 of the women are in sororities and about 40{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the men are in fraternities. There are always things going on on-campus: concerts, plays, festivals, sporting events, trips, parties, etc.

Greek Life is pretty big here, and a lot of the social scene revolves around it. That being said, Richmond's Greek Life is different than it is at other schools because you don't rush until the second semester of your first year and we do not have any Greek housing. Richmond students tend to be involved in a lot of different on campus organizations, and really just like to add Greek life to their long list of accolades. It's a fun way to meet new people, but if Greek life isn't your thing you won't be completely left out. Non-greeks can attend Greek social events and are often friends with people in various Greek organizations. Besides on campus events, there are so many fun things to do in the city of Richmond including great restaurants, a fun bar scene, plenty of museums and historical sites, and the James River. If you're not into the on campus social scene, it's always fun to go see a two dollar movie at the Byrd theater and grab frozen yogurt at Sweet Frog.

Greek Life is pretty big here, and a lot of the social scene revolves around it. That being said, Richmond's Greek Life is different than it is at other schools because you don't rush until the second semester of your first year and we do not have any Greek housing. Richmond students tend to be involved in a lot of different on campus organizations, and really just like to add Greek life to their long list of accolades. It's a fun way to meet new people, but if Greek life isn't your thing you won't be completely left out. Non-greeks can attend Greek social events and are often friends with people in various Greek organizations. Besides on campus events, there are so many fun things to do in the city of Richmond including great restaurants, a fun bar scene, plenty of museums and historical sites, and the James River. If you're not into the on campus social scene, it's always fun to go see a two dollar movie at the Byrd theater and grab frozen yogurt at Sweet Frog.

It depends on who you ask. There is a greek presence and as a D1 school, there are a lot of athletes at Richmond. However, we have 250 clubs/organizations, so they have a very broad spectrum and most are very active and popular.

I met most of my closest friends through our fantastic Orientation program. During New Student Orientation, students are paired off into groups based on their halls and paired with a hall of the opposite gender. That's where I met my first friends!

Greek Life is most definitely the most popular activity. 50{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of men and women participate and are members of a Greek organization, but if you're not interested in that there are other activities for everyone as well. There is always something to do on campus, and off campus as well. Great restaurants, clubs and bars.

There are fraternities and sororoties and dozens of clubs.

The Living and Learning programs in the brand-new residential dorm Lakeview provide students the opportunity to actually experience what they are learning in the classroom.

The UR ROTC sponsored a rock climbing wall during the homecoming tailgate.

UR students had the opportunity to show their school spirit by spray painting signs before the big game.

InterVarsity's Penny Wars at the University of Richmond

sucks ass

The typical Richmond week schedule is this: from Sunday to Thursday it is extreme school mode. The library is always packed until any hours of the morning, as well as the science center. Kids spend most of the time working hard on getting assignments and things outof the way. Then Thursday night until Sunday is pretty much considered the weekend! (unless you have a lot of Friday classes, which many don't, then your weekend will probably start on Friday night). People here pretty much abide by working really hard, and then playing really hard. It really is a good system! People that live on the same dorm floor or close to each other lots of time end up becoming really good friends. That is how I met my best friends (actually one of them was my roommate). Greek life is pretty big on campus, consuming about 35{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the males and 50{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the females. HOWEVER, I think it's really really important to note that Greek life at UR is notably different than it is at different schools. For one, none of the sororities or frats live together in housing just for them, so right there there is a much decreased level or exclusiveness. In fact, in all the events and activities that the greek organizations organize, EVERYONE from the campus is always encouraged to participate. And there is no real rivalty among sororities. I myself am a member of Pi Beta Phi, and my best friends are in Delta Gamma and Tri Delta. I often am thankful at the system at UR, and cringe when I see shows on TV like "Greek" that give sororities (especially at my school) such a bad reputation. Just believe me that it really is different here, and that the people in Greek life are all hardworking studious people. On weekends, I must admit that there ARE many activities that involve drinking. There are frat lodges, appartment parties, and small gettogethers in dorms, and yes there is often drinking at these places. HOWEVER, although the alcohol is there, the point of these events and why most people go to them is NOT necessarily connected with alcohol. People simply go to hang out with others and have a good time or dance. And many people do not drink, and that is perfectly acceptable and they are never pressured. once again, the people here are really laid back and there is not textbook situations arising where people feel pressured to drink. A good alternative is to go to the Commons building (in the middle of campus) every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, where they are big showings of new movies that come out. These usually start around 9 pm, and are really popular with everyone. I personally have had so many fun nights just snacking and watching the movies with my group of friends. Off campus there are also a lot of fun things to do. Since we are so close to Richmond, there are always TONS of restaurants, cafes, malls, and places to go during free time or weekends. And if your'e out on a weekend at night, there are nice nightclubs (18 and over) to go to near VCU (10 minutes away).