VCU for my kid? (school, graphic design, kitchen)

[floridaaa]

Originally Posted by hgnmx

So it's average and yet has some of the top programs in the country? Sorry but I think the school is better than you're giving it credit for.

Originally Posted by hgnmx

And just what are you basing your assumptions on that depsite the fact that VCU has top programs in the country it's still average? People's perceptions of VCU don't seem to be consistent with the times or the schools growth.
VCU has 20 graduate programs in the top 60, nationally.
Ranked #4 Top (undergrad) University in Virginia Top Colleges & Universities in Virginia | University Web Rankings Ranked #5 on this list Top Virginia Colleges and Universities
And is ranked #170 (undergrad) nationally, National University | Rankings | Data | US News

So yes, above average.

Art and Medicine at VCU are separate programs. They are not to be confused with, or bunched in with the rest of the school. The general population of Virginia Commonwealth does not have access to these programs, which you must apply for and are very selective. There is a clear distinction between being an Art or Med student at VCU, as opposed to being bunched in with the rest of the general ed. Believe me, VCU does not teach the smartest bunches... And getting accepted after high school is basically a joke.

[Jim_Rockford]

Art shouldn't even be considered a career warranting a degree what a waste of money that is, Good luck finding a job with a degree in ART. Talk to him and make sure he learns something he ca use ion the real world, and Has something to fall back on , I have multiple skills , for a matter of fact I was just unemployed and it took me only a month of not even looking hard to find another job,Why is that. Because I have blue collar SKILLS. Skilled job like automotive mechanic and HVAC and autobody repair is something that people always need cause college folks can't figure how to even change their own oil.

[richmondpics]

Guess you should be thankful for those college folks then...

[sheena12]

One can pay some one to change the oil in one's vehicle. I can not pay someone to read and appreciate books for me, understand film, history or art. That is why people attend college.

If you want to fix cars or clean pipes there are trade schools. The OP was not inquiring about trade schools, but about VCU, so it seems that you may be hijacking this thread.

Not missing the oil changing pipe cleaning experience at all BTW.

[sheena12]

Originally Posted by Jim_Rockford

Art shouldn't even be considered a career warranting a degree what a waste of money that is, Good luck finding a job with a degree in ART. Talk to him and make sure he learns something he ca use ion the real world, and Has something to fall back on , I have multiple skills , for a matter of fact I was just unemployed and it took me only a month of not even looking hard to find another job,Why is that. Because I have blue collar SKILLS. Skilled job like automotive mechanic and HVAC and autobody repair is something that people always need cause college folks can't figure how to even change their own oil.

BTW. You know that thing you are tying on to express your opinions which were not solicited?

An graduate of a trade school did not invent it.

My son has SKILLS as well and he leaves for University today

He looked into VCU and liked it but ultimately chose another university. If he made the wrong choice, he would think of transferring to VCU. That was why this post caught my attention. We were very impressed with the Art department.

I am not sure what your interest in VCU or any college or university would be, since you think it's useless.

[novanwbie]

Originally Posted by brocco

sounds like he would fit in, but unless he wants to major in something arts-related vcu has kind of a crappy academic rep

I agree the arts really shine at VCU, but disagree w/Brocco about the rest of the programs. VCU has really improved in the last 20 years; it's not the school it used to be. Look at the new engineering school, or example. That being said, it is still an urban environment, which scares off a lot of parents. VCU has a vibrant student population, and the area around campus offers lots of vegetarian options. Sounds to me like your son would fit right in.

[novanwbie]

Originally Posted by Archguy

I
USNews gets a lot of flack as its rankings are controversial (to those who place poorly in them) but at least its methods are rational, organized and verifiable.

Sorry, having worked in the university world for years now, I would STRONGLY encourage all parents to visit campuses, ask lots of questions and get a feel for the people who will be teaching your kids and guiding them through, and the other students with whom they will be living. Every school knows how to "throw" the evaluation system in US News. It's not a very reliable ranking, and I find it disturbing that this desire to find a numerical rank/evaluation for such a subjective process is now reaching into our consideration of elementary schools. I know people want some basis for starting a search, and that's fine, but don't rely on it too much. For example, UVA "hired" its own law school grads for a while, to keep their placement numbers up. What does that say?

Don't rely on a chart -- visit a school, talk to people, go with your gut. There's far more to making a good college experience than some numbers in a magazine that, ultimately, is concerned with keeping its circulation up.

[brocco]

Originally Posted by novanwbie

I agree the arts really shine at VCU, but disagree w/Brocco about the rest of the programs. VCU has really improved in the last 20 years; it's not the school it used to be. Look at the new engineering school, or example. That being said, it is still an urban environment, which scares off a lot of parents. VCU has a vibrant student population, and the area around campus offers lots of vegetarian options. Sounds to me like your son would fit right in.

vcu is doing a lot to improve their reputation and thats great. i think their basketball program is a significant contributor. that being said, it still doesnt make any sense to choose to go there when there are so many better schools in VA for the same price. you can bash the "rankings" all day but vcu is never going to be on the same level as vtech or uva. for some people, vcu is the best they can do so its understandable. as long as they buckle down and work hard when they get there they will probably be fine (whether or not that actually happens is another story). not everyone cares enough to actually try in school when they are 14 so some smart people end up places like vcu. but the student in the OP seems to have the credentials to get into any of the better colleges in VA. i think he should still apply to vcu. his numbers would likely be in the top quartile for them so he may see some scholarship offers. it would make sense to go to vcu in that situation.

[Jim_Rockford]

I can read books and look at wacked out paintings, but its not going to put money in my pocket.

[poloi3eai2]

Originally Posted by Jim_Rockford

Art shouldn't even be considered a career warranting a degree what a waste of money that is, Good luck finding a job with a degree in ART. Talk to him and make sure he learns something he ca use ion the real world, and Has something to fall back on , I have multiple skills , for a matter of fact I was just unemployed and it took me only a month of not even looking hard to find another job,Why is that. Because I have blue collar SKILLS. Skilled job like automotive mechanic and HVAC and autobody repair is something that people always need cause college folks can't figure how to even change their own oil.

Stereotypical assumption. Art is way more than painting pictures and molding sculptures. Art is involved in almost everything in our daily lives. The look of the clothes you wear, the interface of the computer you're typing on, even the design of the cars you drive. Some people choose art over blue collar trades because they want to create and build beyond the norm and not just fix peoples car problems and AC troubles.

Apple is the most valuable company in the world because of art. Steve Jobs was obsessive about the design of Apple products. If you read his book, he was anal about the smallest details like the way chips were arranged. The design of Apple products from the hardware to the software created a lust for computers and electronics that many have failed to duplicate.