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James Madison University

4.2 (29 reviews)

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My best James Madison impression
Fox E.

Not to be confused with Ashley Madison University which is full of married people looking to hook up between classes. And during classes. And after classes. And possibly even before classes. A girl of my dreams who I will refer to only as J used to go to this college. Her dorm room was nice but her house was better. She actually installed a stripper pole in her bedroom. In the house which her rich parents owned. This was in the days before people were pole dancing for workouts. She invented it, maybe. She used to do it just to drive the boys and probably the girls completely crazy. She'd invite people over just to strip dance for them. Those were some fun times. So my main experience of JMU, other than being the main rival of my own College George Mason was to sit down in her tiny little room and watch her strip dance for hours. She had the moves of a ballerina and she wasn't too bad at showing me around the college either. I went back to JMU just a few weeks ago when I was driving down to Charlottesville. Things haven't changed too much except for the obvious corporate takeover which is happening everywhere. One thing I do like is, the campus now has some great options for food and desserts especially J-Petal which is a crepe and bubble tea shop from Brooklyn that only has one location outside New York City which happens to be right here in Harrisonburg right next to campus. They also have a Kung Fu tea in the same Plaza, which only has 479 locations outside NYC. Lol. What more could you ask for.

Purple
Se C.

Hardly a time when I had a negative experience here. The professors are willing to help you if you go to their office hours or schedule an appointment. The campus itself is quite nice. Although there has been some construction, it didn't really bother anyone hopefully. I didn't have a car so I didn't have to deal with the parking nonsense that drivers talk about. I was a science major so I wasn't on the main campus much except for carrier. The dining here is fantastic and I give it a thumbs up. I like how everyone is so polite. Holding doors for each others and being helpful if you get lost. Even though I only spent two years here as a transfer student, I really enjoy the Harrisonburg atmosphere. Ever since High school, I heard negative things about JMU as being a party school, but as much as the students know how to have fun, they do their homework and excel in the classes. UREC is so nice! So many things to do. There is so many places to go eat around campus and so many places to discover. It may seem like a small town, but there is a lot to be discovered and appreciated.

The road
Derek R.

First experience at JMU. Very surprised on how green the grass is. Met with the JMU Police staff. They were very friendly and even gave us directions. Explored the campus on summer break and all the buildings were well maintained and it shows that the staff here really cares about this campus.

This is my mom College picture

My mom went to college here at James Madison University because it's purple she likes purple very much

Wilson
Jen H.

Currently in the nation's top 50 for business schools. The campus is beautiful, the people are hot (ranked in playboy's top 10), UREC is the best gym you'll ever have at your fingertips in your life, house parties are free, frat parties are free, "clubs" are scarce but the ones that are around are always a good time despite their small size... and the sports teams are working their way up in the ranks. :-) A few notes: 1. Make friends with a cab driver and get his cell # - comes in handy when you only have to wait 15 min for a cab as opposed to 30 and 45 min on a weekend. - Musa is awesome and so is his brother Ali 2. FIJI Islander kicks Sigma Nu's islander's ass 3. Parties at Melrose = early and very drunk, only attempt to go to another party after Melrose if you're able to hold your alcohol 4. Football parties are great, but you'll be fighting for beer unless you know someone on the team to hook you up, and be careful of the dance floor if they're still in the house where the floor shakes 5. "Stalk" people for parking spaces - and/or offer to drive them to their car - especially around Showker 6. The parking "nazis" can, and will give you a ticket EVERY time. 7. Watch out where you park at friend's apartment complexes... you WILL be towed, even if you're only gone for 5 minutes. 8. When you can, take the bus that runs to the apt complexes - it runs late. 9. Learn how to play beer pong - this is the game of choice 10. The Arboretum is beautiful. 11. Summertime = Quad and half naked people with books, frisbees, and dogs 12. The Village is a fun place to live Freshman year although HOT in August w/o AC JMU DUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUKES. Madison, James Madison... We are the dukes of JMU... Madison, James Madison... the fighting dukes of JMU. Fight for glory, honors won... brighten the lights of Madison GO GO GO Madison, James Madison... show your colors proud and true... WE ARE THE DUKES OF JMU!!!!!!

This is just a rating of the Admissions web site and is limited to someone pre-visiting JMU online -- so read on only if you are a first-time visitor, or the good folks in charge of Admissions or the Campus web site. After an hour of de-coding the web site, I finally figured out that Sonner Hall Admissions office is off Bluestone Drive, near the Newman Lake. The online Campus Map doesn't have an entry for "Admissions Office" You have to look for "Sonner Hall" which does not have "Admissions" by its name in the Legend. (When you search the map -- you'll see a reference to Sonner Hall Admissions on the map itself, but not the Legend -- I know it's picky but it sure wasted my afternoon until I broke the code.) If you are driving an SUV (some of those are 6ft, 6inches, 7 feet, etc.), you will if you are like me spend a long time trying to find the answer to which parking garage for visitors accommodates taller vehicles, such as SUVs and Vans. I finally found a defunct web site for an event that says the Warsaw Avenue Parking Deck has capability for vehicles 8 feet, 2 inches. There are two other parking decks --- Grace Street and Cantrell Avenue. But I cannot find their maximum clearance height on line (Update: We visited JMU -- it's 6ft, 6in for Grace Street Parking Deck). JMU Web site folks: Please post the maximum clearance prominently -- that saves everyone time and will prevent the Get Lost Factor. (Also from the Update -- the campus is getting bigger with all the growth -- JMU could use some more campus maps installed on campus for visitors.) When you search for the Admissions Office, you get the mystifying address: "MSC 0101 481 Bluestone Drive." For some reason, that address doesn't refer to Sonner Hall, and to add to bafflement for the first - time visitor, "MSC" does not appear in the campus map. We only hear great things about JMU. But it can be hard for web designers (who probably live in Harrisonburg and are probably alums) to understand the "get lost" factor of a first-time campus visitor. Update: The Admissions Office people could not have been nicer. Get yourself a color map there, when driving on campus for the first time. Then if Mon-Fri, go to the Parking Services, next to the stadium. That's a bit of a riddle -- there's no Parking for Parking Services evident -- apparently there are meters inside the Parking Deck at the stadium. We loved our JMU visit. This is a beautiful school, with amazing scenery in its setting in the mountains. The faculty is friendly and warm -- they care about the students. The students are impressive and very friendly and helpful. Parents (and future students): there's a full Starbucks inside the Library -- Carrier Library. Thank you -- we made good use of it on our trip to JMU.

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1 year ago

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

Really, what's not to recommend? JMU has a beautiful campus, fantastic academic programs, and the best students around. Go Dukes!

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8 years ago

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6 years ago

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12 years ago

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3 years ago

Learning more as grandson has ups & downs trying to participate in LACROSS, etc. Studies come first, sports next.

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10 years ago

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7 years ago

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4 years ago

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18 years ago

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7 years ago

Awesome campus. Pro Law Enforcement and very clean. Thanks for being so accommodating!

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3 years ago

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6 years ago

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11 years ago

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13 years ago

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13 years ago

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15 years ago

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15 years ago

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11 years ago

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10 years ago

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15 years ago

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7 years ago

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7 years ago

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15 years ago

While attending JMU from 2000-2004 met so many amazing, special people and developed lifelong friendships. Class of 2004.

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16 years ago

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9 years ago

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Ask the Community - James Madison University

So, how is their nursing program? I'm stuck between UVA, VCU, and of course, JMU. I'm currently a junior at my high school and just want to get an idea. Also is it hard to get around since freshman aren't allowed their cars?

It's tough to get into. Very tough. It's not too difficult to get around.

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Review Highlights - James Madison University

*For those who say it is a party school.

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