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By Design College Consulting, LLC, Lexington, MA (2026)

04/27/2024

James Madison University is a large undergraduate-focused university in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains, JMU is close to a lot of outdoor recreation and natural beauty.
Almost none of the majors at JMU are direct admit, so students start out in a pre-major pathway. The exception is in the college of visual and performing arts which has a portfolio review or audition as a part of admission. JMU boasts strong programs across campus: nursing, business, engineering, psychology, and performing arts to name a few. The general education classes are likely to be quite large, but the average class size is 25 so students should end up in smaller classes by about halfway through. A big difference from their Virginia neighbor down the highway (VA Tech) is the flexibility to change majors (although it could add time).

All first year students live on campus and after that students typically move into nearby off-campus apartments. The campus is anchored by the original main quad, and modern buildings have grown out from that space. We ate lunch in the dining hall, which was bustling with students at midday. The food was excellent and there were many options.

A typical applicant is an A-/B+ student, although a C or two shouldn’t be a deal killer. I say this with the big caveat that JMU’s star is on the rise and this past cycle they received almost double the applications than they did a few years ago.

School spirit runs high at JMU. The football stadium is right on campus and there is a big tailgate culture. They pride themselves on offering a high quality overall experience. Students love their time at JMU and are proud of their college.
Visited 4/11/24

04/15/2024

The word is out on Washington and Lee University, one of the south’s premier liberal arts colleges. This year the acceptance rate dropped to about 13%. W&L is located in Lexington, VA, a very cute historic small town. There are a number of upmarket shops and restaurants in town, which is right next to campus. Additionally, W&L is set in the Blue Ridge Mountains and near an abundance of outdoor recreation. The Outing Club publishes its own guidebook.

Previously white, male, and Southern, W&L has made strides toward diversifying. Although the college’s name “Lee” makes some folks think twice, from all reports and from my observations, W&L is no different in tolerance than its peer institutions. Although they have retained the name, the Board has also funded numerous DEI initiatives on campus.

Remarkably, W&L is one of the few places I’ve visited where I learned that civil engagement of diverse viewpoints is actively taught and practiced on campus. An example of this is through the 100-plus-year-old tradition of “Mock Convention.” Every four years, a nonpartisan group of students stage a mock presidential nominating convention for the party that is out of power. This involves a significant portion of the student body, whether in leadership, planning, or participating as a delegate. Students participate regardless of their own party of affiliation. From my perspective, the ability to engage different points of view and hold conflicting ideas in your head at the same time is key to a liberal arts education.

Washington and Lee is a friendly, social place. The Greek system still captures nearly three quarters of the student body, but our tour guide was not a part and was finding many other points of involvement. Students interested in W&L should learn more about the Greek system at W&L during their research phase, especially since it is such a big presence on campus.

Another example of the strong community on campus is the “speaking tradition.” Simply, this tradition dictates that students greet one another as they walk across campus. Seems kind of basic until you spend time on campuses and realize how many students are wearing earbuds and are lost in their own worlds as they move through their day. How refreshing!

The campus is well maintained and the university has a large endowment. Students who are considering places like Davidson, Williams, and Middlebury should take a closer look at W&L.

Visited: 4/10/24

04/12/2024

The University of Lynchburg is a small liberal arts college that is a part of the consortium of Colleges that Change Lives. Undergraduate student experience, individual student development, and faculty-student mentorship takes first place in this environment. The University of Lynchburg was rated as one of the best run colleges in the US in 2021 (based on student surveys). It still seems to be commonly abbreviated as “LC,” a remnant from the time they were called Lynchburg College.

The city of Lynchburg is an old industrial town with a downtown area that seems to be turning over. It is trying to move toward a hipster vibe, but still feels a bit run down. That said, there is plenty to do both in town and nearby. Set on the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Lynchburg students take full advantage of outdoor opportunities, using the campus-owned Claytor Nature Center as a destination or jumping-off spot for adventures. LC boasts a strong outdoor leadership program, appropriate for enthusiasts as well as future outdoor recreation professionals.

Campus built around the Dell, an elliptical grassy space in the center of campus. It is very attractive! Both of our tour guides were Exercise Physiology majors; one was heading to grad school next year to become an athletic trainer, and the other plans to apply to PA programs when the time comes. They both felt well prepared for their chosen pathways.

The dining hall food was pretty good and the student center was comfortable and well utilized. Westover Honors College is an opportunity for the strongest admits; those students take honors sections of the general education requirements, as well as other perks. LC has strong D3 athletic teams, which participate in the ODAC league. Through merit aid, LC can offer a very reasonable net price in today’s world of crazy private tuition.

Visited 4/10/24

04/12/2024

This was a revisit for me and the University of Richmond is much as I remembered it, although the Admissions Welcome Center has moved since I was last there. Princeton Review’s designation of the #1 most beautiful campus is well deserved. The original campus buildings were designed by the same architect as collegiate gothic architecture places like Cornell and Princeton.

The University of Richmond was previously known as the place where Richmond’s elite were educated, and while it is still considered an elite school, the geographical draw has expanded nationally and even internationally and the population has diversified. UR is a college that is both need blind in admissions and meets 100% demonstrated financial need, but does not have a lot of money devoted to merit scholarships.

UR is a mid-size liberal arts college with a business school and a unique interdisciplinary major in leadership studies. Many students are drawn to this program as it pairs well with a number of other disciplines. The pre-health pathway is popular, as are typical liberal arts programs. UR has a more robust speech center than any other place I have visited, and the results of the training in public speaking are evident in the students who run the admissions info sessions and tours. This is one of those soft skills that everyone knows is important, and UR seems to have embedded into the culture of the place; I was impressed with this feature now as I was ten years ago when I previously visited.

The stronghold of the Greek system on campus social life is reportedly lessened post pandemic, although approximately one quarter of students participate. Students who like to go out apparently frequent bars in downtown Richmond. (This intel was from a student who didn’t work for admissions, and I always recommend prospective students find a current student to chat with.)

We ate lunch at the main dining hall and the food was fantastic. The notion that the extensive dessert bar was funded by a wealthy, sweet-toothed alum is apparently an urban legend: one that was promoted on my last tour, but not this one. If anyone knows the truth behind their next-level dessert selection, please let me know.

Admissions are very competitive and successful applicants will need strong high school grades and rigor.

Visited 4/6/24

04/11/2024

Roanoke College is a quintessential small liberal arts college in the town of Salem, VA about 15 minutes from the city center of Roanoke. The campus abuts a cute Main Street area, and students frequent some of the mom and pop restaurants next to campus. Plus, they love the quick trip to the center of Roanoke, which has a city market that is a blend of farmer’s market and food hall.

When we asked our tour guide what most surprised him at Roanoke, he replied how much fun he was having. He did not expect such a robust social life at a small college, having watched older friends attend large public universities. However, that is not to say that they don’t take academics seriously at Roanoke. Student-professor mentorship occurs naturally and Roanoke is one of 280 colleges nationwide with a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. The most popular majors are Business Administration, Psychology, Biology, Communication Studies, Health and Exercise Science, and probably a couple more that I missed.

Their Computer Science and Computer Engineer programs have a “Direct to Tech” partnership with Virginia Tech. Students can start at Roanoke, complete a B.S., and as long as they take certain courses and maintain a minimum GPA, they can go to Virginia Tech and complete a Master's in Engineering in one year. This is a phenomenal opportunity to experience the numerous benefits of a liberal arts education plus the name of Virginia Tech for your first job out of college.

The science center is about to undergo a major renovation.

Roanoke has impressive athletic facilities for a small D3 school. They opened up a 35 million dollar athletic center in 2016; the Cregger Center rivals facilities at much larger colleges. The College is adding a football program next year.

The dining hall food was fine, but unimpressive. Students live on campus all four years and there are a variety of housing options. Social life is through the Greek system, through athletics, or through clubs and organizations.

Due to a lower sticker price and generous merit aid, the cost of Roanoke is a relative bargain and may rival the cost of a regional public.

Visited 4/9/24

04/10/2024

Virginia Tech is a large public R1 research university set in the mountains of southwest Virginia. Students coming from Boston can get a connecting flight into Roanoke, about 45 minutes away from Blacksburg. VA Tech was founded as an all-male military institute but has been coed for over 100 years now. The military tradition endures, with The Corps of Cadets, a 4-year military leadership development program.

Service is another strong traditional value at VA Tech. The motto of the institution is Ut Prosim, that I may serve, and the importance of that motto extends way beyond the Corps. A beloved campus tradition is The Big Event, where 5,000 students gather on a day in the spring to serve the local community. A reported 1,200 service projects were completed in the Blacksburg and New River Valley area during the most recent Big Event.

Although community is big, students typically only live on campus for one year. The first year of housing is required and guaranteed. After that the vast majority of students move off campus. Blacksburg is a college town, with plenty to do for students. I’ve occasionally heard students worry that they will be in the middle of nowhere, but honestly, the campus itself is large enough that it feels like its own small city.

Academics are strong and rigorous across the board, and many people are attracted to the highly selective engineering school. Most successful applicants to VA Tech apply into their intended major, although there are exploratory and undecided pathways available. Unlike at a liberal arts university, applications are reviewed by major. As with any XL university, some classes, especially introductory classes, have hundreds of students in one section.

The available student support is extensive, but you have to reach out to get it. Our tour guide told us that the therapy dogs in the counseling center, Derek, Epcot, and Josie, have office hours. Very cute!

School spirit is strong and pride runs deep in Hokie nation. The extensive alumni base supports students in the job market.

The out-of-state price tag is about 62K all in.

04/09/2024

The College of William and Mary is a highly selective public liberal arts college in the historic town of Williamsburg, VA. The second oldest institution of higher education in the country, W&M is steeped in tradition. The campus is large and well resourced for a mid-sized public university. And, it is beautiful. The campus has several sections including the Historic Campus, the New Campus, and the College Woods.

Housing is guaranteed and required for two years; after that it is not guaranteed. Many dorms are undergoing a renovation, meaning that until the renovations are complete, it could be a little harder for upperclassmen who wish to live on campus to get a bed.

There are a lot of cute and touristy shops and restaurants between the campus and the historic attraction Colonial Williamsburg. I met a former student at a hip pizza place called the Mellow Mushroom and got to learn about the Global Scholars program, a cohort-based learning experience where students delve into global policy and international relations through meetings, discussion, travel, lectures, seminars etc. It sounded like a unique opportunity that the College has designed for students. As you’re researching colleges, keep an eye out for special programs like this that could enrich your college experience.

From what I could gather, students at W&M are super smart, into their academics, and also involved outside of the classroom. I didn’t sense a pressure-cooker vibe. The students are diverse by a variety of measures. You may find your Vineyard Vines devotee here, but you’ll also find someone with pink hair and a volume of poetry tucked into a pocket. It is the kind of place where students go to the library before heading over to the football game. Student at William and Mary love their community, or “Tribe.”

Visited 4/5/24

04/09/2024

Christopher Newport University is a midsize regional public university in Newport News, VA. Founded as a commuter school and an extension to William and Mary, Christopher Newport became a full university in 1992 and over approximately 25 years the campus was completely rebuilt based on a master plan. Let me tell you, it is a showstopper. The architecture is a modern take on classical Virginia style. If you aren’t already familiar with the place, take a look at their virtual tour. The place sparkles from the ground up and I can see how this environment could inspire students to do their best work.

There is plenty to do in the Newport News area, depending on your interests, and plenty to do on campus. Students are required to live on campus for 3 years and many stay on for their senior year, given how nice the on-campus options are. I kept forgetting we were at a regional public.

If you are traveling from Boston, there are daily direct flights into Norfolk, VA, which is about 35 minutes from campus plus bridge traffic. Or, you could book a connecting flight via Charlotte into the Newport News Airport, a small airport very close to campus. CNU is an hour from the Richmond Airport and the very last stop on the northeast corridor Amtrak train.

CNU is reportedly rigorous, especially for a less selective university. They have a lot of opportunities for experiential learning both on and off campus. Their average class size is 19-24 and all classes are capped at 90, including lower level required classes.

Christopher Newport has a couple of special programs that are worth knowing about. About 10% of each class is admitted into an honors program, which requires an extra essay on the application. This is a pretty typical liberal arts honors program. Up to one third of the class applies and is admitted into the President’s Leaders Program. Through classes and co-curricular experiences designed to develop leadership, students earn a minor in leadership studies. Each of these opportunities comes with a scholarship attached. Students should interview early in the application cycle if they are interested. The top academic candidates in the latter group are selected for the Presidential Scholarship Program, which in addition to robust mentorship includes a summer studying at Oxford University.

CNU’s D3 men’s basketball were 2023 national champions, and the athletics department has other winning teams, as well. The fine and performing arts center attracts some interesting touring acts, plus a lot of student groups. Apparently, the a capella scene is big on campus, hosting the annual Blue Tie Affair.

CNU is very affordable, even for out-of-state students. If you are considering universities in Virginia and North Carolina, take a closer look at CNU.
Visited 4/5/24

04/06/2024

The University of Mary Washington is a mid-size public university in historic Fredericksburg, Virginia. The location, halfway between DC and Richmond in a cute, historic town (lots of shops and restaurants!), gives students the best of both worlds they often desire.

The architecture of the long, narrow campus is reminiscent of UVA, which shouldn’t be too surprising, given that UMW was founded as the women’s college counterpart to UVA, when UVA was all male. They both turned coed around 1970.

The average class size at UMW is 25 and classes are capped at 70. In my opinion, small classes are a huge advantage of attending this type of university. Currently, the female to male ratio at UMW is about 70:30, but I didn’t sense a gender imbalance when I was walking around. The students seem to be down to earth and comfortable with themselves and with each other. It felt like an open and warm environment.

UMW is a liberal arts university with traditional semesters. All students take a first year seminar, which helps them adjust to college life. We saw an attractive seminar room on the first floor of a freshman dorm where some sections of this class are taught.

They have competitive D3 athletics.

As a smaller regional public, UMW has several strategic bachelor’s to graduate partnerships with other universities in the area. The most notable is an early assurance program with GW for medical school. A sample of the others: they partner with George Mason for law and engineering, as well as VA Tech for engineering. In addition, as undergrads, students can study conservation biology at the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation.

UMW has an honors program that you can apply into on your admission application. Unlike many other regional state universities, UMW does not have a rigid formula for admission. You do not apply into a major. They consider all factors in the process. UMW offers and recommends admissions interviews.

UMW has a very affordable price tag and their out-of-state tuition is about to go down in price! This was my second visit to UMW and I liked it even more this time, having had a chance to meet and interact with several students along the way.
Visited 4/4/24

04/05/2024

Randolph-Macon College is a small liberal arts college in the cute town of Ashland, VA, about 20 minutes north of Richmond. The campus is set on 125 acres and has charming buildings and beautiful outdoor spaces. There is an Amtrak station right on campus, shortening the distance between RMC and many major East Coast cities. In addition, students are permitted to have cars on campus all four years.

Of the 1,500 undergraduates, 80% live on campus all four years. The one grad program is a master’s to become a Physician’s Assistant.

Princeton Review ranks RMC as #21 for friendliest students. I sensed a balance of Southern charm and East Coast drive.

RMC would be good for students who thrive in a small class environment and want to be engaged in their educational choices. Mentorship is readily available, along with hands-on learning experiences. Networking is a strength, especially in the Richmond area.

RMC is on a 4-1-4 schedule, including an optional 1-month January term called
J-term. Similar to other colleges with this schedule, January term provides many opportunities for enrichment including short-term courses, study abroad, and internships.
Their Edge Career Center provides a four-year structured program to help students translate their liberal arts education into the job market.

RMC is not super selective and is very affordable for a private LAC. A number of the campus buildings were recently renovated using donations from generous alumni. Their D3 athletic teams are competitive and draw spectators.

On any small campus, you are very likely to meet and connect with people in natural ways—classes, dorms, etc. In today’s world with so many isolated teens and fragmented communities, this is a great reason in and of itself to consider a place like RMC.
Visited 4/4/24

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