2023-24 James Madison University Admissions Overview (JMU)

THE EXPERIENCE

Your mind matters to us.

SO DOES YOUR HEART. BEING THE

of our students are undergraduates, unique for schools with more than 20,000 students.

Professors pay attention to you here. Research opportunities happen much earlier. These benefits change your future.

Top Public Schools –National Universities

—U.S. News & World Report 2022-23

98%

of our classes are taught by professors, a rarity for schools our size

80%

of our graduates have done research, a practicum, an internship or student teaching

28% of our students study abroad before they graduate

If you want a wide range of choices and individual attention, JMU IS RIGHT FOR YOU.

THE JMU DIFFERENCE

At JMU, you will experience an intellectual freedom unmatched at most universities. Combine project-based learning across all disciplines with professors who truly care about you and the result is a fearlessness to think differently, act differently and lead differently.

Here are a few examples...

Rural Health Care

JMU nursing students are helping provide care for many residents in neighboring localities. We call them Undergraduate Primary Care and Rural Education Scholars. These scholars focus on the registered nurse’s role in coordinating care for patients’ substance use disorder, mental health and varying complex chronic disease needs in partnership with Valley Health Page Memorial Hospital.

Hands-On Research

In partnership with Northrop Grumman and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, second-year engineering students are building specialized buoys that will help monitor the health of the bay via acoustic signatures. At JMU, hands-on research helps our students learn by doing and, often, make the world better.

Washington Semester

The JMU Washington Semester program enables students to explore the wealth of political and cultural opportunities available in the Washington, D.C., area. The popular program includes semester-length internships, courses taught on site, panel discussions by people employed in the field and networking opportunities with JMU alumni working in the D.C. area.

Adventure here

Hike, bike, snowboard, kayak or whatever else makes your heart happy. This beautiful area has it all.

Study here

With 1.5 million annual visits, JMU Libraries are much more than just books.

Chill here

On a warm day, relax on the Quad or toss a Frisbee with friends. You will certainly not be alone. Eat

D-Hall is among 28 amazing on-campus choices. There is a reason why JMU dining has been top 15 in the U.S for decades!

Play here

Our spectacular University Recreation Center has something for everyone.

Cheer here

School spirit is alive and well at JMU. Sun Belt Conference, here we come!

Live here Wayland Hall is among 23 residence halls that house freshmen on campus.

LEARNING

HAPPENS

EVERYWHERE including where you least expect it.

JMU students are more likely to recommend their school than students at any other public university in the U.S. —Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education 2020

Typically, 400-600 students per year take part in 30-45 student-led Alternative Spring and Weekend Breaks. JMU is among the largest programs in the U.S.

With 400+ clubs and organizations on campus, you will find something that will pique your interest and help you grow.

“If you want to make a difference, JMU is an incubator of opportunity.”

—Dr. Bob Kolvoord, Dean, College of Integrated Science and Engineering

Top Public Universities

— Niche 2023 #66

#51 National University Rankings for 2022

— Washington Monthly

96% of graduates in JMU’s Class of 2022 were employed, in graduate school or pursuing career-related endeavors within six months of graduation.

We get you READY FOR CHANGE.

GET TO KNOW JMU

ENROLLMENT ACADEMICS

92% undergraduate student body

17:1

20,346 undergraduate students

1,878 graduate students

21% 79% SPORTS AND MORE

James Madison University was founded in 1908 92% from Virginia from outside Virginia

n School colors are purple and gold

n Mascot is Duke Dog

n 17 NCAA Division-I sports

n 50+ non-varsity club sports that battle teams from other colleges

n 5,000+ Dukes who have fun and compete in intramural sports

90% freshman retention rate

n Students from 48 states and territories and 95 countries

n 58% female / 42% male

n 26% students of color

n 1% international

student faculty ratio

n Over 130 undergraduate programs of study

n Average class size = 25

n 89% of classes have fewer than 50 students

4 libraries

1.5 million library visits a year

28% of students study abroad

One amazing value

Thanks to a new Carnegie Commission classification of R2 Doctoral University with high research activity, JMU is now officially recognized for its world-class academic excellence and national prominence.

JMU falls in the top 14% of four-year U.S. public colleges for Return on Investment

14% TOP Best Value Big Colleges

—Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce

Niche’s Best Value Colleges List #19

Ready to apply?

FRESHMAN APPLICATION DEADLINES

Nonbinding Early Action – Nov. 1

Regular Decision – Jan. 15

TWO REQUIRED STEPS

1 2

Application – Apply online at jmu.edu/applynow

Transcripts – Official high school transcripts and senior year schedule must be sent by the application deadline.

OPTIONAL INFORMATION

n One letter of recommendation

n Personal essay/statement

n Standardized test scores (22% of applicants submitted in 2022-23)

n SAT mid-50% range: 1190-1350

n ACT mid-50% range: 25-30

FINE AND PERFORMING ARTS REQUIREMENTS

Most fine and performing arts areas require an additional application, audition or portfolio review. For details, visit jmu.edu/arts/admssions

WHAT WE LOOK FOR

Admission to JMU is competitive and strong applicants are selected based on the following criteria:

n Core academic courses: English, social science, foreign language, lab science and mathematics*

n Grades: Mostly A’s and B’s in core academic classes

n Rigor of course work: AP, IB, Dual Enrollment and Cambridge International, in addition to honors-level courses.

Other things considered include involvement in extracurricular activities and additional information found in the letter of recommendation and in the personal essay/statement.

Students can earn college credit for AP, IB, DE and CI courses taken in high school. More info: jmu.edu/admissions/earncredit

* Mathematics requirement: One full year beyond Algebra II in a course for which Algebra II is a prerequisite. If you have questions, please contact your JMU Admissions Counselor. jmu.edu/admissions/contact

2022-23 FRESHMEN APPLICANTS

Applications: 37,055

Applicants accepted: 27,238

Applicants enrolled: 4,750

TRANSFER ADMISSIONS

TRANSFER APPLICATION DEADLINES

Spring – Oct. 15

Summer – Feb. 1

Fall – March 1

TWO REQUIRED STEPS

1 2

Application – Apply online at jmu.edu/applynow

Transcripts – All official college and high school transcripts must be sent by the application deadline.

WHAT WE LOOK FOR

Competitive applicants should have completed or be in the process of completing at least 24 credit hours post-high school graduation with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in core college-level course work. Core areas include: mathematics, lab science, social science and language (English, foreign language, speech or communications).

More at: jmu.edu/admissions/transfer

2022-23 TRANSFER APPLICANTS

Applications: 2,236

Applicants accepted: 1,400

Applicants enrolled: 1,025

Affording JMU

2023-24 TUITION AND FEES (full-time student per year)

*Courses within the College of Business and School of Nursing have additional course fees.

FINANCIAL AID

To determine your eligibility for assistance, please complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

FAFSA Open date: Decemeber 2023

Priority filing date: March 1

JMU’s Federal School Code: 003721

More at: jmu.edu/financialaid

SCHOLARSHIPS

JMU awards more than 500 one- to four-year scholarships each year to incoming students. The process is very competitive due to the high caliber of students admitted. Signature scholarship programs at JMU include:

n Madison Award for Academic Excellence Scholarship

n Second Century Scholarship

n Centennial Scholars

n Honors College Dingledine-Bluestone Scholarship

For more details, visit jmu.edu/admissions/scholarships

NON-DISCRIMINATION

James Madison University prohibits discrimination on the basis of age, disability, race or color, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, religion, sex (including sexual harassment, assault and other forms of misconduct), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, parental status (including pregnancy), marital status, family medical or genetic information, in its employment, educational programs, activities, and admissions. JMU complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding non-discrimination, affirmative action, and anti-harassment. The responsibility for overall coordination, monitoring and information dissemination about JMU’s program of equal opportunity, non-discrimination, affirmative action, and Title IX is assigned to the Title IX office and the Office of Equal Opportunity. Inquiries or complaints may be directed to the

Title IX Coordinator: Amy Sirocky-Meck, sirockam@jmu.edu, 540568-5219, jmu.edu/titleIX or to the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity: James Robinson, oeo@jmu.edu, 540-568-6991, jmu.edu/oeo (JMU 2018)

CLERY ACT

In accordance with the Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act, the JMU Annual Security and Fire Safety report contains information regarding campus security and personal safety and is available on the Public Safety website at jmu.edu/publicsafety/ clerycompliance. A copy of this report can be requested at the Office of Public Safety: MSC 6810, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 or by calling 540-568-6913.

Programs of Study

Accounting

Anthropology

Architectural Design

Art

Art History

Biology

Biophysical Chemistry

Biotechnology

Business (see specific majors)

Business Management

Chemistry

Communication Sciences and Disorders

Communication Studies

Computer Information Systems

Computer Science

Dance

Dietetics

Digital Video and Cinema

Early Childhood Education (Inclusive)

Earth Science

Economics

Education (see individual programs)

Elementary Education

Engineering

English

Environmental Humanities

Exploratory (undeclared)

Finance

Geography

Geology

Graphic Design

Health Sciences

Health Services Administration

History

Hospitality Management

Human Resource Development

Independent Scholars

Industrial Design

Information Technology

Integrated Science and Technology

Intelligence Analysis

International Affairs

International Business

Journalism

Justice Studies

Kinesiology

Marketing Mathematics

Media Arts and Design

Medical Humanities

Middle Grades Education

Modern Foreign Languages

Music

Music Industry

Musical Theatre

Nursing

Philosophy and Religion

Physical and Health Education

Teacher Education

Physics

To learn more about all academic programs, visit jmu.edu/academics

Political Science

Pre-Athletic Training

Pre-Dentistry

Pre-Forensic Studies

Pre-Law

Pre-Medicine

Pre-Occupational Therapy

Pre-Optometry

Pre-Pharmacy

Pre-Physical Therapy

Pre-Physician Assistant

Pre-Theology

Pre-Veterinary Medicine

Psychology

Public Administration

Quantitative Finance

Science, Technology and Society

Secondary Education

Social Justice Studies

Social Work

Sociology

Special Education

Sport and Recreation Management

Statistics

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

Theatre

Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communications