James Madison University
Responses from the Student Interview
From a student who identifies as Major: Communications
Minor: Computer Information Systems
Student Self Identifies as: Caucasian Straight Male
Summary
I’m in a fraternity, I participate in Relay For Life, and the MadiTHON dance marathon.
Background
Gender Identity: Male
Race/Ethnicity: Caucasian
Sexual Orientation: Straight
High School Experience: Private high school in Sparta, New Jersey with a graduating class of 200 students. There was a culture of going to college.
First-Generation College Student: No
Major: Communications
Minor: Computer Information Systems
Extracurricular Activities: I’m in a fraternity, I participate in Relay For Life, and the MadiTHON dance marathon.
Did any of your extracurricular activities have a particularly big impact on your experience?
All three have. They have introduced me to people and helped keep me busy.
Academic Experience
Can you describe your weekly coursework for your major?
It depends on the professor. The first introduction class in Communications has a quiz every other week and two tests spread throughout. For another class, I have three exams and that’s it. Usually, exams, whether it’s quizzes, tests, or midterms, make up the bulk of the grade.
Is there anything you feel that your major’s department does especially well or poorly?
The professors are really good at communicating. It’s very easy to contact my advisor to work around the system. For example, I had to get permission to be let into a class as a sophomore because it’s technically for juniors. The communication aspect of being able to talk to anyone in the school is very good.
How would you describe the learning environment? Do you think it’s particularly competitive or collaborative?
I think it’s a good combination of both competitive and collaborative. You can go to anyone in any of your classes at any time and work together on something if you have questions. It’s competitive in a good sense where we’re all striving to do better than every other person because we want to be the best in the school.
Do you feel that people are open to multiple schools of thought in the classroom?
For one of my classes, they distinctly go into that aspect of different schools of thought in every theory we’ve learned so far. It’s very much open to having multiple schools of thought.
How accessible are your professors?
They are so accessible. I emailed my professor two days ago at 9 PM, and he responded in 10-minutes. They always have office hours and are willing to look at their phone. Some professors will tell you they stop checking their email past 6:00 PM, but they’ll let you know at the start of the semester.
Why did you pick your major? Are you happy with your choice?
I’m very happy with my choice so far. I don’t know what made me choose my major, I think it was just a feel thing. I looked at the major choices and it just seemed right.
Reasons to Attend
1) The school spirit is unlike anything I’ve seen before.
2) Academically it’s great. It’s a work hard, play hard school and everyone tries their hardest.
Reasons Not to Attend
1) If you don’t think a big school is good for you. If you can’t live with 20,000 people on campus, it can be tough.
Around Campus
Where have you lived on and around campus?
Freshman: Weaver Hall with one roommate and two suitemates
Sophomore: Off-campus house with three other roommates
How was transitioning from your hometown in New Jersey to Harrisonburg, VA in terms of location?
It’s a lot warmer, which is nice. The biggest difference for me was the change in pacing. Everything is fast-paced in New Jersey, and in Harrisonburg, it’s a little slower and people are more relaxed.
Can you describe the level of safety you’ve experienced on and around campus?
I’ve never felt unsafe no matter the time.
Social Opportunities
What kind of weekend activities or nightlife do you like to participate in?
I typically go to house parties. A lot of my friends go to bars, but there are no clubs for people between the ages of 18-21, so it’s only bars. Once you’re over 21, people go out to them. Most of the time house, parties are hosted by Greek life, but every once in a while, it’ll be me and my friends hosting. I usually try and stick to going out Friday and Saturday, and depending on my class schedule, maybe Thursday.
What is the impact of Greek life on nightlife?
I think Greek life is a large part, but it’s not a necessity. You can be part of something else and not feel like it’s inhibiting you at all. You do see a lot of people going to Greek life parties and talking about them. Greek life parties are usually pretty exclusive. Some fraternities allow people in, and certain nights are free for all, but it’s usually exclusive.
What’s an alternative to going to a party or a bar that you like for a night out?
Football games are always a great time. I’ve also been to soccer games and baseball games. Sports are huge, and there’s a movie theater off-campus just out of walking distance. There are also things on-campus like a theater for live plays.
How happy are you with the weekend options at JMU? Is there anything you would change if you could?
There’s not a thing I would change, I think everything about it is great.
Campus Culture
How did you meet your closest friends?
My closest friends are a combination of people in my fraternity and people from my dorm during my freshman year.
How would you describe the overall social scene at JMU?
I’d describe it as a very lively group. Everyone who goes here is actively social and people are always willing to sit down and talk to you. It’s easy to get to know people. You’ll always hear about things going on through friends.
How was transitioning socially as an out-of-state student?
I’d say there was a culture shock just being in Virginia in general. It’s a different vibe from New Jersey. You’re getting a lot of people from the South, so things are a little slower and people talk with a Southern drawl. [76% of students are from Virginia.]
To what extent do people of different races and sexual orientations mix socially?
I’d say there’s a pretty good mix. I’m friends with people of different sexual orientations, and there are people of all races in pretty much every fraternity and sorority. I’ve never seen anyone have issues with racism or sexual orientation discrimination. [The undergraduate population is 6.7% Hispanic, 5% Black, 75% White, and 5% Asian.]
To what extent do people in Greek life and not in Greek life mix socially?
It’s super mixed. I think everyone has their friend group in Greek life, and everyone has their friend group that’s not in Greek life. [About 12% of first-year men join fraternities and 23% of first-year women join sororities.]
How do you like the size of JMU? How has that impacted your experience? [JMU has about 20,000 undergraduates.]
I think the size is perfect for me. It is a big school and you have to get used to it. Every once in a while, you’ll have a lecture that’s 200-300 people. You’ll still have the luxury of having small classes with 20 people, but it’s something to get used to. I think I’m a very open person and like being social, so in this situation, you’re always meeting someone new. Your group is always expanding. For example, I was down grabbing stuff from school and met 25 new people at a friend’s house. That’s the type of thing I love to do. [The average class size is 25 students.]
Careers
Has the alumni network helped you find internships or jobs?
Yes. There are always things going on. In Greek life, we have alumni that’ll tell us about internships at their companies. At the school in general, there are always one or two career fairs each semester that bring in great companies. A lot of my professors have found ways to incorporate that. We had speakers from Deloitte come talk to us in class about possible internships.
Have you learned any computer programs or computer languages that will be helpful professionally?
I started off as a business major, and in the business school, there’s a class based on Excel. Once I switched to majoring in Communications, I kept the Computer Information Systems minor so as of now I’ve learned Python and Access.