Virginia Commonwealth University Reviews

"The program was challenging for me as an older single parent and I loved most of it. Even the required courses that I would not have chosen myself. Some of the professors were awesome and supportive which helped tremendously. It seemed to me that they truly care about teaching relevant real world lessons. The assignments were helpful and interesting and I enjoyed working in groups as we did for some projects. I honestly felt lucky to be a part of this educational institution, as I did at The University of Virginia where I completed my undergraduate degree in 1990. My only negative experiences came from the 2nd year internship. The social workers involved in my internship were inappropriate and unprofessional showed z favoritism to the other intern working at the same time. It was terribly difficult though I was able to work through it with the help of one of my professors and was able to eventually transfer to another internship that served me well. My new supervisor was great to work with and I appreciated her taking me on mid-semester. As an older student I had enough inner strength to move ahead. I think if I had been younger I would have truly doubted myself and it might have broken me. After graduation I worked for several non-profit agencies, and decided to move to Hawaii 6 years after earning my graduate degree from VCU. I was unemployed and had zero money in savings when I moved but I was ready for a change and an adventure. I had been working hard and paying down my student loans. Five years later I started my own practice in a small office without windows. My practice grew every year and in a few years I had an oceanfront office overlooking a beautiful beach in south Maui. This is amazing to me as I was not even seen as college material in high school.Read Less"

"Virginia Commonwealth University hosts a diverse student population supporting well over 20,000 students and a wide variety of degrees. During my tenure at the VCU physics department, professors invested heavily in their students through high teacher-student interaction and also investment in student projects with real world application. The Physics Department hosts a variety of investigative experiments which include spectroscopy, lasers, scanning electron microscopy, chemistry (such as producing aerogels and graphene), as well as computer physics and modelling. Upper level classes are small ensuring optimal student to teacher ratios, and the professors are very accessible. The university in general consumes a large amount of real estate in Richmond, Virginia, but works to ensure ample parking and student housing to support their clientele. The campus is generally safe with police phones located throughout the campus and a large security contingent located on or near campus. Virginia Commonwealth University also has an excellent program of activities for student engagement with a wide variety of clubs, movie nights, dances, sports events, invited speaker events, and community outreach. The university is also connected with the Medical College of Virginia (MCV) and provides transportation between the two campuses. Local businesses thrive in and around campus and are just as diverse. On a regular basis, the university hosts the FIRST Robotics regional competition for high school students with wide university student engagement. Although VCU does not have a football team, the school is a leader in sports with a NCAA Division I basketball team, excellent soccer, baseball, and volleyball teams as well.Read Less"

"Virginia Commonwealth University hosts a diverse student population supporting well over 20,000 students and a wide variety of degrees. During my tenure at the VCU physics department, professors invested heavily in their students through high teacher-student interaction and also investment in student projects with real world application. The Physics Department hosts a variety of investigative experiments which include spectroscopy, lasers, scanning electron microscopy, chemistry (such as producing aerogels and graphene), as well as computer physics and modelling. Upper level classes are small ensuring optimal student to teacher ratios, and the professors are very accessible. The university in general consumes a large amount of real estate in Richmond, Virginia, but works to ensure ample parking and student housing to support their clientele. The campus is generally safe with police phones located throughout the campus and a large security contingent located on or near campus. Virginia Commonwealth University also has an excellent program of activities for student engagement with a wide variety of clubs, movie nights, dances, sports events, invited speaker events, and community outreach. The university is also connected with the Medical College of Virginia (MCV) and provides transportation between the two campuses. Local businesses thrive in and around campus and are just as diverse. On a regular basis, the university hosts the FIRST Robotics regional competition for high school students with wide university student engagement. Although VCU does not have a football team, the school is a leader in sports with a NCAA Division I basketball team, excellent soccer, baseball, and volleyball teams as well.Read Less"

"VCU was a safe place for me, I had the opportunity to make an impact within the community, explore, grow personal and professionally and forge life long relationships. The knowledge, opportunities, and the resilience I gained throughout my four years of undergrad was invaluable."

"I attended VCU for my undergraduate degree and am back again pursuing my masters. Attending VCUarts, I enjoyed great facilities, passionate teachers, and a challenging program that pushed me to look at problem-solving from a whole new perspective. This was very formative as an undergraduate and, I think, laid the foundations for a variety of applications in the professional environment.The only less effective aspect of my education that I can site is VCUarts tendency to pit students against one another. The administration and faculty cultivate a highly competitive and uncollaborative environment. On the one hand, this pushes you very hard to be your best and become self-reliant and, ultimately, become a professional artist. On the other hand, it is a highly unfriendly environment that leads to a lot of mistrust and bad behavior among colleagues. Ultimately, I enjoyed my undergraduate experience at VCU and have been able to actually practice as a professional artist after finishing school. I am still also in touch with my favorite professors, who still inspire me today!Read Less"

"I recently graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University and overall I would have to say that the learning experience is unique to say the least. Just like any college I believe the quality of education is based upon the professors. Virginia Commonwealth University has well educated and experienced professors teaching Criminal Justice. Given the diversity among the staff and students, it makes the university a welcoming place for anyone."

"As an art teacher in the state of Virginia, I can honestly say that Virginia Commonwealth University is still the best art school on the East Coast. When you apply to VCU, as an art student, you will enter into the Art Foundations Program. This is an incredibly intensive program, that makes sure it's students are dedicated and committed to the Arts. You, Eat, Drink and Breathe Art the first year. As a art student, five out of your seven classes each semester will be art. Four will be Studio Art, where you are creating and performing art and the fifth will be art history. At the end of your Foundation Year, you will put together a portfolio and apply to the school that you are interested in. What I liked the most about Virginia Commonwealth University is that when, I graduated, I already had two offers for teaching positions. They really do a great job making sure you are apart of the work force when you you leave the campus.Read Less"

"Virginia Commonwealth University is a diverse university that offers a programs for literally anyone. They have an assortment of majors and minors that would best fit anybody trying to go higher in the education world. Once you step on VCU's campus, you will realize the inherit vibe of cultures and languages. There is something for everyone - you can immerse yourself in a new language or become friends with the many international students that we have every year. I believe I had high quality instructions from some of the best professors in the world in both of the schools within VCU. It was a great experience to learn about what professors are doing behind the doors and how open they are to include VCU students to gain experience. I loved all my experiences at VCU.Read Less"

"I have nothing but great things to say about Virginia Commonwealth University and the School of World Studies. I took rigorous and diverse courses that opened my mind to the world of cultures, languages, and international affairs. The professors were highly-skilled and committed to seeing their students flourish. My Arabic professor, is a role model for how to engage in student-centered learning within the foreign language spectrum. With the many diverse and unique degrees offered by the School of World Studies, you can pursue whatever international-related degree your heart desires. Not to mention, the Study Abroad Office is extremely helpful in making international education possible and safe. Not only were the courses engaging, the campus also had a spirit of vivaciousness and empowerment. If there was ever a social justice issue that needed to be advocated for, there were always rallies to support it. Being enveloped in the Downtown Richmond community and being the capital of Virginia, it's the perfect spot to meet diverse people and get to where you need to in record time. Also a perk, having many international students coming from over 100+ countries, the campus is extremely diverse and makes it possible for other students to learn about other cultures and perspectives. The campus community with the local Richmond community make VCU a perfect spot for university students wishing to pertain their undergraduate degree. The School of World Studies and their faculty and staff make learning about the world invigorating. I highly recommend everyone to pursue their degrees at Virginia Commonwealth University!Read Less"

"Virginia Commonwealth University School of medicine is a great institution. From faculty to the administration, everybody really cares about you. There have been a few times in my time at Virginia commonwealth university that I needed to make very tough decisions concerning my education. During these times, I was able to reach out to multiple deans who were very supportive. I feel the family environment whenever I am on campus. At Virginia commonwealth university school of medicine, I believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that everybody is there to ensure my success.Read Less"

"I love VCUs urban campus in downtown Richmond. There is always something to do and new people to meet. I believe that the courses and electives offered help students find new fields of study that they never knew existed, and helps prepare students for the future. VCU focuses on interdisciplinary learning which also introduces students to new fields and new studies. The career services office is extensive, offering internship opportunities and interview practice. Definitely take advantage of all the free resources VCU has to offer. The campus is rapidly expanding and the student body is rapidly growing. There are new dorms everywhere you look. It is an extremely diverse campusprobably the most diverse in the state. I highly recommend taking as many electives as possible so you can figure out what interests you and what you want to spend the majority of your time studying. There are so many opportunities in Richmond as well. There are so many job opportunities for after your graduate and so many firms that want to work with students. This is a great city to get a degree in because of the amount of people in the city who want new talent and want to work with students. There is so much innovation happening on the campus and in the city itself. VCU offers so many different and unique majors and centers on innovation. It is a great place to go to school, and Richmond is a great backdrop. I would highly recommend VCU.Read Less"

"One of the strengths about this program is it provided a lot of hands on experiences. I had about 2 - 3 internships dedicated to building my resume before I graduated. These internships was incorporated into the program and went towards your credit to graduate. I always felt fortunate that those opportunities to decide my next journey in my education as well as my career."

"VCU is one of the best universities in Richmond, VA. VCU has variety of degrees, and certifications for students. 70% of professors put alot of effort in their students and their success. It is well established university with many opportunities offering both the necessity of education and activities in order for the students to start their careers and goals."

"I absolutely adored my experience with VCU music. I not only felt prepared to enter my field, but I am shown on a weekly basis how much further my degree has served me when compared to my colleagues from neighboring state universities. My program was small enough that my voice was heard, yet large enough in breadth and scope that I would've been prepared to enter a variety of teaching situations. I have no words for how grateful I am to have had this experience with VCU. I am even more grateful to be able to take this knowledge and support and pay it forward to my 500 students.Read Less"

"I spent most of my lifetime growing up in Buffalo, New York. While I have made lasting friendships and established myself as a individual in both an educational and professional sense, I have never truly felt connected to my undergraduate university. Making the decision to move and accept work as a PhD student at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) has been the single best decision of my educational and personal career. The professors at VCU have not only the experience and know-how to teach students, but the patience, approachability, and friendly characteristics which enables me as a student and future industry employee to strive for greatness and never settle for less. Studying various aspects composing Pharmaceutical Sciences is no easy task but with the guidance from all professors within the Pharmaceutics department at VCU, I have been and am continually given the knowledge to succeed in the future.Read Less"

"It was a really intense 2 year program built specifically to prime students for working in the advertising industry. Creativity was stressed over business."

"VCU was a wonderful school! I enjoyed the downtown campus and the multicultural feel."

"it is important in learning to think critically, but understand the monetary debt you will be in afterwards."

"Virginia Commonwealth University is a really good school. Most of the professors are great. Some I did not like but that is to be expected. VCU is diverse and it was very refreshing to lean about from students with different backgrounds, I would recommend the school."

"Virginia Commonwealth University offers students an opportunity to grow and pursue a career of their choice. It is the perfect place to find yourself and learn what is and isn't right for you. I appreciate my experiences and what I have learned at VCU."