Virginia Commonwealth University
Hallmarks and Quirks
Things I'm Good At:
- Arts, and lots and lots of different types. Classical guitar, fine arts, creative writing, acting, you name it. If it's artsy, I've got it.
- Teaching people to become doctors. Yes, you can actually study something other than the arts at VCU. The medical school is top-notch, ranked number one in the state by U.S. News and World Report.
- Basketball. I made it to the Final Four in the 2011 NCAA tournament, and have eight conference championships under my belt.
My Top 5 Must-Haves:
- A bike. You can get discounts at Ellwood Thompson's (our local veg-head, all-natural store) just for using it. Plus, parking is a total nightmare, especially when you're already late to class.
- A backpack. Lugging books around from one building to the next can be terribly draining. It's best to have both hands free to double fist coffee from the corner cafe.
- Money. Though Richmond isn't expensive per se, parts of it can be pricey, like Carytown. This strip of ultra-hip shops is nearly impossible pass up.
- A sense of style. We're artsy, remember? Having some sort of fashion sense is a must, even if it means gauges, tats, and black eyeliner.
- Work ethic. This is college, after all.
Why You Might Have Heard of Me:
- My School of Social Work is highly regarded. We have amazing service learning classes.
- My medical programs make all those ODU and U of R students cry. Life-saving medical experiments go down right here in Richmond, all because of me.
- My art scene is epic. I know I hardly ever talk about it…but I have one of the largest art schools in the country.
- We've recently opened our own School of Engineering. Take that, Virginia Tech.
On a regular Saturday night, you can find me...
I'm probably out in the city. Feeling gothic? Skip on over to the Hollywood Cemetery. We've buried a president or two there and on the weekend, students often like hanging out on the benches among the rolling hills.
Not every Saturday needs to be melancholy, though. We have a hot local music scene where you can go for punk or metal music. There are lots of bars to hang out in if you want to meet new people.
Even if studying all weekend is your thing (ahem, med students), it's quite common to go study among the hubbub of The Village Cafe. It's a nice change of scenery for when you're into hour ten of that super cram session. Carytown is also home to Plan 9 Music if you want some vinyl to spin during a dorm party. We're up for anything over here.
Favorite Hangouts:
- The Village Cafe. Hungry? Come on over to The Village for some 50s style ambiance (but at modern prices).
- Ipanema. Calling all vegans and health nuts. Ipanema is in a basement on Grace St., but don't let that fool you. The food is as good as the solid brick walls are strong, and most of it is vegetarian. There's also a decent vegan menu. If you go on a live music night, be prepared to get comfy-cozy with everyone else in this teeny-tiny lounge.
- Plan 9 Music. You might not have a turntable, but Plan 9 can help you discover all kinds of new music.
- Canal Club. Come here when you want to get your groove on downtown. This club brings in nationally known names. You can also bring in your own amateur movie to screen during the Flicker Film Fest.
- Strange Matter, formerly known as Twisters, Nancy Rayguns, and 929 Cafe (our dearly departed punk/metal club). This cafe still has great live music with delicious vegetarian food.
- The Byrd Theater. Designed in the 1920s and reopened in the 1970s, this theater has $1 movies. Who knew you could still buy stuff for one dollar? It's a wonderful place to visit after blowing all of your money in Carytown.
Quirks:
- You and I can hang out year 'round. We've got spring, summer, and fall semesters, along with a shortened winter term course. You never have to leave me. Never. Well, not until you graduate.
- Speaking of graduating, you can graduate two times a year: June and December.
- During the first week of school, students and alumni seen wearing VCU swag may randomly be jumped by The Ram (our mascot) and have prizes shoved in their faces.
Famous Alumni:
- Boris Kodjoe, actor and former fashion model
- Chris Adler, drummer for Lamb of God
- Patch Adams. The real one, not the Robin Williams one.
- Stephen Furst, actor and director
- Debbie Matenopoulos, actress and television host