(12-17-2014 11:31 PM)JMUNation Wrote:  The UNCC I saw this fall reminds me a lot of JMU. Apps campus is not as pretty as JMUs. UNCC has a great campus. JMU is a suburban campus located in a rural town. UNCC is a suburban campus located in the suburbs. App is on a mountain. JMU is in a valley. Big difference.

I'd actually propose a different UNC....UNC-Greensboro.

About the same age as JMU, a little older (1891). They also started as a women's college, and their original name was the State Normal and Industrial School, which I think was the exact same name JMU started as. Both officially became co-ed in the mid-60's. Both still have more women than men (especially UNCG....2:1 ratio! )

They're about the same size as us (they have ~18000 students). They have a terrific School of Music, like us. Their "best value" ranking is very high, like us. I really don't know how their academic reputation stacks up against us, but they have a number of respectable showings in those US News/Forbes/Princeton Review rankings. They have also been primarily an undergrad institution like us, but are adding more doctoral programs.

As far as athletics, no football (subtract points) and middling basketball (for which there is no on-campus arena, more points subtracted), but some of the other facilities are really nice and right in the heart of the campus (baseball, softball, and especially soccer).

I'm a little biased, I worked there for a couple years in '10-'11, and I thought it was a great place. Despite being only about a mile from downtown, it doesn't remotely feel like an "urban" or "commuter" school, they've got a really nice campus IMO. Anyway, I'd be proud to call UNCG a sister school.

Any of our triad posters have an opinion? Am I completely misreading that place and talking out of my a--? Wouldn't be the first time

JMU grad living in NC. 2 of my kids have looked at App; neither went. Once is graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill and the other is a Jr at JMU. I know 10-15 kids that have gone to App. App has a very different feel than JMU. Granola, weed and tie dye's. Berkley in the woods. While I don't know about the stat's, based on the kids that I know that got in there, it has to be a bit easier. The divide b/w App and Chapel Hill certainly seems substantially wider than JMU and UVA from an acceptance/academic standpoint. And UNC-G? Child please.

(12-18-2014 11:19 PM)watchngars Wrote:  And UNC-G? Child please.

Allll righty then. Haven't gotten a "child please" in a while lol....Well, like I said, I liked the place.

I've also heard from several life long North Carolinians that the closest equivalent to JMU in NC is app state, and not just because they're both in small towns in the mountains.

Faber
Knowledge is good

(12-19-2014 08:18 AM)Potomac Wrote:  I've also heard from several life long North Carolinians that the closest equivalent to JMU in NC is app state, and not just because they're both in small towns in the mountains.

As Lewis Grizzard said about two other Southern universities: JMU Is Appalachian with an interstate.

I know some Richmond kids that go to App and they would not have been accepted to JMU. I like App and would like being in a conference with them but I just don't see the similarities in the campus, academics or the demographics of the student body. JMU is not in the mountains. It is in the valley. It is a city where you can see the mountains but it is not Vail.

App is in the mountains. It is ski country. Folks have cabins there. There are no cabins in Harrisonburg.

I'm not here to get into a youknowwhat measuring contest, though I feel Appalachian is every bit as good as JMU. I will say, as a Virginia resident and teacher, I'm aware of the quality of student JMU admits, and they're high-quality kids.

Football pride aside, I would be happy if one of my daughters went to JMU.

Though naturally, I'd rather stroke the check for the out of state tuition to App.

(12-20-2014 02:33 PM)AppinVA Wrote:  I'm not here to get into a youknowwhat measuring contest, though I feel Appalachian is every bit as good as JMU. I will say, as a Virginia resident and teacher, I'm aware of the quality of student JMU admits, and they're high-quality kids.

Football pride aside, I would be happy if one of my daughters went to JMU.

Though naturally, I'd rather stroke the check for the out of state tuition to App.

We're all entitled to our opinions, and ASU is a very good institution, but JMU > App in several measurable and meaningful metrics, which only goes to highlight how excellent JMU truly is.

(12-20-2014 04:27 PM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(12-20-2014 02:33 PM)AppinVA Wrote:  I'm not here to get into a youknowwhat measuring contest, though I feel Appalachian is every bit as good as JMU. I will say, as a Virginia resident and teacher, I'm aware of the quality of student JMU admits, and they're high-quality kids.

Football pride aside, I would be happy if one of my daughters went to JMU.

Though naturally, I'd rather stroke the check for the out of state tuition to App.

We're all entitled to our opinions, and ASU is a very good institution, but JMU > App in several measurable and meaningful metrics, which only goes to highlight how excellent JMU truly is.

I've read that on this board, but when I asked for proof, nobody has provided a link.

(12-20-2014 06:27 PM)AppinVA Wrote:  

(12-20-2014 04:27 PM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(12-20-2014 02:33 PM)AppinVA Wrote:  I'm not here to get into a youknowwhat measuring contest, though I feel Appalachian is every bit as good as JMU. I will say, as a Virginia resident and teacher, I'm aware of the quality of student JMU admits, and they're high-quality kids.

Football pride aside, I would be happy if one of my daughters went to JMU.

Though naturally, I'd rather stroke the check for the out of state tuition to App.

We're all entitled to our opinions, and ASU is a very good institution, but JMU > App in several measurable and meaningful metrics, which only goes to highlight how excellent JMU truly is.

I've read that on this board, but when I asked for proof, nobody has provided a link.

Interesting. I don't know when (or how long) you've been asking for " proof" on this board, or what would constitute "proof" for you, but the metrics making comparisons possible aren't packaged as a single "link" leading to a simple conclusion. If you're seriously interested, send me a pm and I'll do my best to direct you to the online info about both institutions that support the general consensus that JMU > ASU.

I am not sure who our sister/brother schools are but I do know JMU does not schedule many in our out of conference basketball schedule.

(12-20-2014 08:19 PM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(12-20-2014 06:27 PM)AppinVA Wrote:  

(12-20-2014 04:27 PM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(12-20-2014 02:33 PM)AppinVA Wrote:  I'm not here to get into a youknowwhat measuring contest, though I feel Appalachian is every bit as good as JMU. I will say, as a Virginia resident and teacher, I'm aware of the quality of student JMU admits, and they're high-quality kids.

Football pride aside, I would be happy if one of my daughters went to JMU.

Though naturally, I'd rather stroke the check for the out of state tuition to App.

We're all entitled to our opinions, and ASU is a very good institution, but JMU > App in several measurable and meaningful metrics, which only goes to highlight how excellent JMU truly is.

I've read that on this board, but when I asked for proof, nobody has provided a link.

Interesting. I don't know when (or how long) you've been asking for " proof" on this board, or what would constitute "proof" for you, but the metrics making comparisons possible aren't packaged as a single "link" leading to a simple conclusion. If you're seriously interested, send me a pm and I'll do my best to direct you to the online info about both institutions that support the general consensus that JMU > ASU.

Hot ham and cheese said something similar a couple months ago. I asked for some backing a couple of times, but he never even acknowledged my inquiry, so thanks for doing so. I would be interested in something. I'm not so concerned about it that I want to do a ton of digging, though. We're getting along just fine, and aren't hurting for students.

Having lived in both states, I notice that JMU seems to have more freedom to grow and modify its academic mission, while App can get torpedoed by those in Chapel Hill and Raleigh. That probably explains some separation. It is also no secret that Virginia values its primary and secondary education system more than those in NC. Yes, it pains me to admit that, but when you budget like Mississippi you consider yourself fortunate when you get Alabama results.

(12-20-2014 09:19 PM)AppinVA Wrote:  Hot ham and cheese said something similar a couple months ago. I asked for some backing a couple of times, but he never even acknowledged my inquiry, so thanks for doing so. I would be interested in something. I'm not so concerned about it that I want to do a ton of digging, though. We're getting along just fine, and aren't hurting for students.

Having lived in both states, I notice that JMU seems to have more freedom to grow and modify its academic mission, while App can get torpedoed by those in Chapel Hill and Raleigh. That probably explains some separation. It is also no secret that Virginia values its primary and secondary education system more than those in NC. Yes, it pains me to admit that, but when you budget like Mississippi you consider yourself fortunate when you get Alabama results.

While not all inclusive, the data below was taken from USNWR, The Princeton Review, and collegeapps data.

No two schools are identical, and curiously a couple of schools mentioned above have some glaring differences in admission criteria, institutional classifications, and mission; which place them above JMU in a number of metrics. It may be that posters here only want to associate with schools that have generally better numbers than JMU. I don't know.
I only see one significant difference between JMU and App, and that is the 4 and 6 year graduation rate.
Otherwise, I think App and JMU are as close as you are going to get en total. Even athletics are very similar.

App State

Quote:#9
Regional Universities (South)

Selectivity selective
Fall 2013 Acceptance Rate 63%
The student-faculty ratio at Appalachian State University is 16:1,

Enrollment (2012):
Total Enrollment: 17,589 (15,712 undergraduates)
Gender Breakdown: 47% Male / 53% Female
94% Full-time

Graduation & Retention
4-Year Graduation Rate: 40%
6-Year Graduation Rate: 66%

Admissions Data (2013):
GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Appalachian State
Average High School GPA: 3.92
Test Scores -- 25th / 75th Percentile
SAT Critical Reading: 520 / 620
SAT Math: 540 / 620

Enrollment (2012):
Total Enrollment: 17,589 (15,712 undergraduates)
Gender Breakdown: 47% Male / 53% Female
94% Full-time

Majors
Five most popular majors for 2013 graduates
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services 20%
Education 14%
Psychology 8%
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs 7%
Social Sciences 7%

JMU:

Quote:#6
Tie
Regional Universities (South)

Selectivity selective
Fall 2013 acceptance rate 60.6%
Student-faculty ratio 16:1

Enrollment (2013):

Total Enrollment: 20,181 (18,431 undergraduates)
Gender Breakdown: 41% Male / 59% Female
95% Full-time


Graduation and retention
First Year Student Retention (full-time students): 91%
4-Year Graduation Rate: 65%
6-Year Graduation Rate: 81%


Admissions Data (2013):
Percent of Applicants Admitted: 64%
GPA, SAT and ACT graph for JMU
Average High School GPA: 3.87
Test Scores -- 25th / 75th Percentile
SAT Critical Reading: 520 / 620
SAT Math: 530 / 630

Majors
Five most popular majors for 2013 graduates
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs 9%
Social Sciences 8%
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities 7%
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies 6%
Psychology 6%

Thanks. I know colleges don't really care for the magazine ratings, but these do look somewhat similar. The noted exception being graduation rates and male/female ratio.

Living in Richmond, I know a lot of kids going to both schools. The JMU kids I know are superior academically. I am not knocking App. Heck W&M, has superior students than JMU. That isn't a knock on JMU either. App. is better than Ga. Southern.

There is a recognized pecking order for many institutions. JMU and App are not academic peers. I would welcome being in the same conference though.

(12-20-2014 10:34 PM)AppinVA Wrote:  Thanks. I know colleges don't really care for the magazine ratings, but these do look somewhat similar. The noted exception being graduation rates and male/female ratio.

AppinVA....that logo avatar is awesome. My first JMU football game was in the fall of '82 against you guys. I believe ASU had that as their helmet logo then.

By the way, JMU won that game in the last minute. It was considered our programs' biggest win ever.....till the next week when we upset UVA.

(12-21-2014 11:30 AM)JMUNation Wrote:  Living in Richmond, I know a lot of kids going to both schools. The JMU kids I know are superior academically. I am not knocking App. Heck W&M, has superior students than JMU. That isn't a knock on JMU either. App. is better than Ga. Southern.

There is a recognized pecking order for many institutions. JMU and App are not academic peers. I would welcome being in the same conference though.

Current numbers don't support that. In fact, for all intents and purposes, the JMU and App admissions data are identical in 2013.
Even App's retention rate is 88%, now very close to JMU's 91%

Going forward, it will be interesting to watch, as these figures for JMU were substantially different as recently as three years ago.
You have gone from a USNWR rating of "more selective" to "selective". Your acceptance rate has gone from just around 50% (below that a few years ago 48%?) to 64% in 2013.
Your USNWR rating a few years ago was #1 or #2 Regional Universities (South) It is now tied for #6.

It is also possible (I don't know for sure) that your excellent 4 and 6 year graduation rates may start to fall as your enrollment starts to reflect the recent lower admission requirements that have resulted in your subsequent growth.

(12-21-2014 01:00 PM)ODUalum78 Wrote:  

(12-21-2014 11:30 AM)JMUNation Wrote:  Living in Richmond, I know a lot of kids going to both schools. The JMU kids I know are superior academically. I am not knocking App. Heck W&M, has superior students than JMU. That isn't a knock on JMU either. App. is better than Ga. Southern.

There is a recognized pecking order for many institutions. JMU and App are not academic peers. I would welcome being in the same conference though.

Current numbers don't support that. In fact, for all intents and purposes, the JMU and App admissions data are identical in 2013.
Even App's retention rate is 88%, now very close to JMU's 91%

Going forward, it will be interesting to watch, as these figures for JMU were substantially different as recently as three years ago.
You have gone from a USNWR rating of "more selective" to "selective". Your acceptance rate has gone from just around 50% (below that a few years ago 48%?) to 64% in 2013.
Your USNWR rating a few years ago was #1 or #2 Regional Universities (South) It is now tied for #6.

It is also possible (I don't know for sure) that your excellent 4 and 6 year graduation rates may start to fall as your enrollment starts to reflect the recent lower admission requirements that have resulted in your subsequent growth.

Why don't you do all JMU fans a favor...heck, call it a Christmas gift to us...and simply refrain from posting on this board? Seriously, your shtick is old, you bias in naked evidence, and quite frankly, you're irritatingly wrong on any topic involving JMU's academics.

That, and any grad of ODU that has to spell check academics should stick to either other forums or topics.