James Madison University - Go Dukes!

Known for its school spirit and focus on undergraduate education, JMU is a great option for students looking for a medium-sized state school not far from Washington, DC.  Here are some interesting facts I learned on my tour this week:

• 72% of JMU students are from Virginia.  The highest percentage of out-of-state students come from New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania and New York (in that order).
• 18% of students participate in Greek life.
• JMU's Engineering Department welcomed its inaugural class in 2008.
• The University runs a charter bus every weekend to DC and Northern Virginia.  On holidays, the bus runs to other cities in the Northeast as well.
• All freshman live on-campus, and about 50% of sophomores choose to as well.  Most juniors and seniors live off-campus in Harrisonburg, VA.
• JMU offers Early Action and will be hosting two open houses this fall, on October 18 and November 15.
• Students can apply to the College of Business sophomore year if they maintain a minimum GPA in prerequisite courses.  The business school has a new partnership with Goldman Sachs to help JMU students obtain internships over the summer.
• JMU was originally a teachers' college and is well-known for its College of Education.    
• Through the School of Media Arts and Design, students can study in Los Angeles for a semester and immerse themselves in the entertainment industry.
• Students who like to ski or snowboard can take advantage of the nearby Massanutten Resort.
• Princeton Review ranked JMU's food #2 in the nation!