University of Richmond
University Of Richmond, VA, USA

Reviews

University of Richmond

Valerie from Westerville, OH

a current student here
13 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
I was challenged more than ever in HS just in my first semester at UR.
Am enjoying being here
Campus is beautiful, I made friends in my hall, food is good at the dining hall, I am involved in organizations already! Everything is pretty good!
Bang for the buck
They give good merit scholarships.
Tips for prospective students
UR is small and not in a big city, which was what threw me back at first, but it's really a great college for undergrad. It has all you could ever ask for, and the students are great and friendly! There's tons to do on and off campus, and we are not all nerds by far! Just apply early for a possible Richmond Scholarship and focus on your essays.
Great for these types of students
Those who can't afford an Ivy League education for undergrad, want to do research and/or study abroad, wants personal attention from professors who care about you, and wants to be in an ideal location in the country!

Alexis from Wexford, PA

a current student here
10 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
The classes are what you make of it. The opportunity to learn is available if you put the effort in and take advantage of all the professors have to offer. Also, there are constantly guest speakers, such as Thomas Friedman, who come to campus. Do not miss out on these lectures, you will learn so much!
Am enjoying being here
The opportunities to get involved in organizations are immense, especially student government because we have separate coordinate colleges for males and females and thus separate student governments. However, it is a pretty small school and can start to feel like high school with all of the gossip. Also, a car is a must if you want to get out of the UR bubble.
Bang for the buck
With such a big endowment, I know so many people who have received a full ride to attend based on entirely financial needs.
Tips for prospective students
If you did not enjoy high school because it was small and full of gossip, consider applying to a larger school. Also, if you want to have an array of options for your nightlife and you are a guy, definitely consider being a part of a D1 team or fraternity. Otherwise, I hear from my guy friends that nightlife can be pretty limited.
Great for these types of students
Richmond is a great place to go if you want a beautiful campus that rivals Princeton and Dartmouth. Also, it is a great place for those who want to get involved in leadership positions. Richmond also has such small class sizes that you can really get involved in discussions in class (and are expected to by your professors) and you can easily receive help from your professors after class. Also, Richmond is great for those who want to feel safe on campus, as it is not in the city.

Lauren from Midlothian, VA

accepted here and planning to attend soon
8 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Will learn a lot
Because Richmond is a liberal arts and sciences school, there are many opportunities and educational paths to choose from. Richmond is one of the top business schools in the nation and one of the only schools with a leadership program. There is definitely enough classes to fulfill any career goal!
Will enjoy being here
UR is only a few minutes from downtown Richmond which provides a wide-range of community activities and fun. There is always something going on whether it be a club, sporting event, or Richmond outing. The campus is beautiful, and the students are really friendly.
Bang for the buck
UR is expensive but it's known as a Southern Ivy League School. No one is ever going to look over your resume because Richmond is on there! It is wide-known and well thought of.

Clarke from Overland Park, KS

a current student here
7 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
While college is certainly a step up from high school, the professors at University of Richmond try their best to make the transition smooth. As a result, students learn a lot and have a great college experience.
Am enjoying being here
University of Richmond has a small yet vibrant campus making it the perfect fit for me. I greatly enjoy studying here.
Bang for the buck
While tuition is expensive, you are unlikely to find another college with professors of the same caliber.
Tips for prospective students
Make sure you take and submit your AP tests! Doing so can help knock out prerequisite courses and get you to the classes you want faster.

Kylie from Perkasie, PA

a current student here
6 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
The University of Richmond has a large suburban campus right in the middle of the active and corky city of Richmond. The classes are small, engaging, and fun! The social atmosphere, while not for everyone, is low key and student organizations are attempting to diversify it.
Tips for prospective students
Visit! U of R has great financial aid, a beautiful campus, out of this world opportunities for study abroad and volunteering, and classes that are small and engaging but it is not for everyone. The best way to determine if U of R and everything it has to offer is for you is to visit.
Academic Rigor
Academics are very rigorous. Most international students express that their study abroad experience at Richmond is more difficult than their university study in Ireland, China, or Africa. However, the academic rigor is not unmanageable. If you are passionate about your studies and put forth a solid effort, you will be successful. A bonus is that professors are always there to meet with you and help you.
Dorm Life
At U of R we call our dorms, resident halls because they are not only a place to sleep but a place to live and build community. The Resident Assistants are always creating activities for the hall to do together and everyone is very tight-knit and fun to be around. The hall community is often the core of a friends group especially the first year.
Food and Dining
The food is amazing! Every-time my parents come to visit they want to eat at d-hall (our dinning hall), instead of going out. I don't mind either because we have a French pastry chef and tons of variety. My favorite are the paninis.
What to do for fun
For fun I go to the James river and lay out in the sun and read for class. If you do not have transportation, the green is also a great place to relax and play ultimate frisbee. We have a great game room in the current but my favorite thing to do is to go the deanery living room and bake cookies in the kitchen and watch the newest glee!
Bang for the buck
The financial aid you can receive, the friendships you make, and the amazing connections that you make through professors and spider alumni are amazing!
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Proclamation night and Investiture as well as Ring dance are all fun southern traditions that play out every year. Proclamation night and investiture take place first-year, for mena and women respectively. It is a night to write a letter to yourself to be read again senior year and sign the honor pledge. Ring dance is for women. It is the night they are presented with their class ring and then the night is to celebrate your academic achievement.
Great for these types of students
Dedicated students who also like to relax now and then and volunteer in the city.
Clubs and Activities
Too many to count!
Greek Life
It exists but it does not dominate the campus. Those involves love it and those not involved do not feel excluded in anyway.
Campus Safety
I feel very safe on campus! We have a spider shuttle so you don't have to walk around at night and a blue light system throughout campus.

Taylor from Midlothian, VA

researching this school
4 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Will learn a lot
There are so many classes to choose from!! I love the small class size and individual attention. It seems professors really care about their students!
Will enjoy being here
The campus is absolutely beautiful. Also, the buildings are just so classically built. Lost of trees and foliage. The people all seem very friendly and there is so much going on to get involved in.
Bang for the buck
It is expensive, but merit aid is amazing. Great financial aid packages.
Great for these types of students
Those who want to get involved in Greek life but are not fully sure
Students who want to do research
Foreign language or study abroad interested

Betty

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Great small school for students who want all their professors to know them by name; all my classes were about 20 kids!
Professors care about teaching, not about passing you.
Most students are hired right out of school or go to get additional degrees, they help a lot with getting summer internships.
Tips for prospective students
It may seem like a very homogenous (read: white) campus, but give it a semester and you'll find the people you want to hang out with. It's become a lot more socially and economically diverse as it becomes more popular
Academic Rigor
In business or science, the classes are always difficult and you learn a lot. I can't say much for the humanities, but the people I know who are majors always seem to go on to do great things.
Dorm Life
The dorms all have personally controlled A/C which is awesome in August. There are single sex and co-ed dorms so you have a choice, and the upper-classmen apartments are sick.
Food and Dining
The dining hall is consistently nationally ranked as one of the best! The only reason I don't give 5 stars is because there's not many other options on campus (although they are building more) and everything besides the dining hall closes on the weekend.
What to do for fun
There are always frat and apartment parties. And if you aren't into that, there are always movies playing in Commons and groups hanging out. Getting to downtown Richmond is getting easier too if you want to explore the city.
Bang for the buck
100% financial aid met, Bonner Scholar gives full tuition.
Great for these types of students
Science majors: You'll most likely do research with a professor and have a good chance of being on a published paper before you graduate.
Business majors: One of the best programs in the nation.
International relations: THE best program in the nation.
Anyone who wants to study abroad!: 50% of all students go abroad, and UR pays for the tuition at your host school.
Greek Life
Kind of dominates campus (40% of people are Greek), but you find a niche either way.

Megan from Butler, PA

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
U of R is a school with a lot of opportunities. The classes are demanding and the people can be really hard to adjust to if you didn't grow up in a northeastern upperclass town, but if you're willing to put in the effort it can really pay off here.
Academic Rigor
If you're a science student, be prepared to spent most of your life studying and working in Gottwald. The first year typically isn't bad but by the third year you will be used to sleeping on the couches inside Gottwald (the science building) as much as in your own bed.
Dorm Life
Most of the dorms are pretty nice and a few are even hotel-level nice.
Food and Dining
The food is getting better every semester and the dining hall staff is very receptive to suggestions. For example, I asked for nutritional yeast to be made available at the spice rack and the next week it was there!
Bang for the buck
The financial aid packages are pretty good here and, if you can keep your grades up, there a a decent amount of scholarships you can apply for on top of that.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Senior toga party!

Lauren from Easton, PA

researching this school
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Most beautiful. School. Ever.
Academic Rigor
from what I have read challenging but teachers are very hands on with your learning process and have a great interest in your success
Food and Dining
awesome off campus places

SPCS Student

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
I have attended the University of Richmond for several years and had several outstanding experiences. The professors exude excellence, passion and commitment to their students. You are inspired through their knowledge, creativity and valuable insight. All aspects of the University are supportive.
Tips for prospective students
Engage with your fellow colleagues and the professors. Take advantage of the campus tours, student mentor program and join the SGA committees. Learn the history of the University and volunteer to get a sense of pride behind the institution and the invaluable resources that are available to you.
Academic Rigor
Students are constantly being intellectually challenged by their professor. Each student receives instructions to help motivate and develop high expectations for their academic progress. The syllabus depicts exceptions and offers a variety of resources to aid the students. Resources provided are; SGA, Academic Skills Center for support, Career Services for choosing a major, Speech Center for preparation and practice for public expression, Writing Center consultants and the Online Writing Lab (OWL) another free service. This University offers a host of invaluable resources to aid their students in achieving academic rigor.
Dorm Life
Do not live on campus. This question would not apply to me.
Food and Dining
Excellent Buffet. The dinning hall offers a buffet style for all appetites. Vegan, Vegetarians, healthy conscious eaters and meat lovers. Fresh fruit, salads and a verity of deserts to choose from.
What to do for fun
They have a wonderful park like campus. Video games, billiards, the Cellar all located in the Tyler Haynes building. Movie night, join committees, family day, Golf tournaments, Trick or Treat Street etc. There so many wonderful organizations to join and volunteer.
Bang for the buck
I have been a member of the SPCS/SGA for close to five years and have worked with dedicated and outstanding individuals. This Association participates in worthwhile endeavors to the University, its students and the community. I have encountered amazing colleagues, professors and made some great friends. It has been an pleasurable experience.
Campus Safety
Excellent patrol and escort campus support.