1.You don’t like an adventure.
Don’t let the campus being in the city fool you. VCU is perfectly located just a few blocks from the river and has little parks scattered all over the place. On any given day you’ll find students relaxing on the rocks by the river, white water rafting, kayaking, rock climbing, slacklining, paddle boarding, biking, running, hanging out in hammocks or having a picnic in Monroe Park.
2. You’re not a fan of school spirit.
Don’t like screaming fans or shaking bleachers? Don’t wanna hang with one of the best pep bands in the country? Don’t want to attend sold out basketball games? Don’t like chanting along with over 7,000 fans? Don’t want to experience the Rowdy Rams, who were named student section of the year in 2013? Don’t come to VCU.
3. You Hate Free t-shirts.
On any given day you can find someone giving away free t-shirts. My freshman year, I received over 20.
4. You Don’t Like Shopping Local.
If you love eating at places like Friday’s and shopping at the mall, try somewhere that’s a college town. At VCU we love trying local restaurants, coffee shops and cafes, and supporting little boutiques. Richmond is full of restaurants of any and every kind and has dozens of little shops to browse through.
5. You love to lose.
In 2015 alone, we won our division, the Atlantic 10, in Women’s Indoor Track and Field, Men’s Baseball, Golf, Women’s Tennis, and of course, Men’s Basketball. Need I say more?
6. You enjoy really bad cookies.
Other schools rave about this awesome chain called Campus Cookies. Campus Cookies didn’t even last a year on VCU’s campus because we have Red Eye − the cookie company that will change your life forever.
7. You’re judgmental.
At VCU, everyone is free to uniquely be themselves. Some people are covered in tattoos and some people don’t have any. You can come to class looking like you came off the runway or arrive in pajamas. Philosophy majors are treated as equals to engineering majors. There is no “cliché” type of person at VCU. Everyone is accepting of each other and we celebrate our similarities as well as our differences.
8. Festivals aren’t your thing.
Richmond hosts tons of festivals each year such as the Folk Festival, Greek Festival, Bacon Festival, and Dominion Riverrock, the nation’s premier outdoor sports and music festival. On any given weekend there’s always something going on.
9. Neither is Art.
Both VCU and Richmond are very passionate about art. The street art around Richmond is incredible and has even been called the best in the world. It's fitting because VCU is the number one public art school in the country and is happily situated right in the heart of Richmond.
10. You don’t like the convenience of walking.
Pretty much everything you could possibly want is in walking distance at VCU. Want to grab lunch or dinner? There’s probably 40 places to choose from that are a 10 minute walk or less. Going to the river? Belle Isle is right there. Going shopping? There’s tons of thrift stores around campus, and Carytown isn’t too far either. Want to grab some doughnuts? Sugar Shack is right around the corner. The possibilities are endless!
11. You’re not into diversity.
VCU represents over 100 countries and 49% of its students are a minority. If you’re looking for your typical cookie cutter university, this isn’t it. In addition, we are constantly celebrating other cultures with events like Intercultural Festival and Qatar Day.
12. You hate being number one.
We don’t like to brag, buuut…….. We are the number 1 medical center, number 1 public art school, number 1 graduate advertising program, number 1 sculpting program and the number 1 hospital in Virginia (with the only level 1 trauma center in central Virginia). I guess you could say we’re kind of a big deal.
13. You Fear Havoc.
If I went to a different school, I would fear havoc too. Trust me, you don’t want to go to war with the rams.