Virginia Commonwealth University

Date: Sep 26 2016
Major: Criminal (This Major's Salary over time)
You hear so much about VCU having top notch art, engineering, and medical programs, and that if you major in anything else you're better off attending a different school. Not always the case; I came here because it does also have one of the top criminal justice programs on the east coast. However it is pretty much also the ONLY reason I chose to come here. It is possible to find your niche here, and as long as you apply yourself (I guess that really goes for any college), it provides you a decent academic career.

Different departments seem completely independent of each other, and have their own standards, processes, and efficiency. I really haven't heard too many good things about other departments when students try to work with them. Still, there are others that are exceptional and exceed some standards. In my department, the administrators and faculty here are all wonderful, and make an effort to help and work with each of the students.

The social life here can suck, particularly if you are a transfer student like me. Thankfully, I've joined an up and coming organization that provides me a decent social outlet. You can easily make friends with those in your major, more so once you get into your core classes. People here are nice, but I've found most to not be always be so approachable; it seems as if much of the student body is sheltered and chooses to keep to themselves rather than make an effort to socialize and forge friendships. Organizations are there,but not too big. Greek life here is a joke, it compromises only about 7 percent of the entire student population, and you rarely see or hear about anything they do as far as events and community service. Many people come together as friends from the same high schools, and can be pretty cliquey. The nightlife in Richmond is decent, but nothing special; there are bars if you're 21 and up and can afford to go out to them, and there are a few clubs (and I mean just a few) that are merely decent. On campus parties can be pretty overrated, usually frat parties full of underage kids within the greek bubble and cheap alcohol, they also usually get busted by the campus police before midnight. There are some good parties where you can have a truly good time and meet new people, but they are few and far in between, you have to look for them. Also, be exceptionally careful at night and use common sense, as crime happens directly on campus on a regular basis.

About the city of Richmond itself, I personally I find this place to be gross, dirty, depressing, and full of degenerates. VCU definitely does not have the feel of a college town like most other universities in the state, more so it's intermingled with the brick, concrete, and lack of green space that the city itself is. There are some nice parts outside of the downtown area and off campus that provide sufficient entertainment and time killing, so long as you have a means of transportation to get to and from them. If you're a city person who can always somehow find an adventure, you just might like it here.

Overall, VCU is a decent school depending on which program you're getting into. But some aspects of the academics and departments, and definitely the student body and social life around here, all just leave so much to be desired.