West Virginia University (Morgantown, Fairmont, Clarksburg: low crime, school, universities)

[Shoteka]

My husband and I are thinking about WVU for next fall. How does this university compare nationally with other institutions? Also, what are politics like in the area? Churches? How active is the city/town? We're really bigger town people and the town website says its population is about 25000. Does this include the surrounding area or just the town? How is the restaurant scene?
thanks for any advice

[snorpus]

Hi Shoteka,

WVU has a very good reputation in engineering and the health professions. I've had recruiters for Pgh. corps tell me they compare well with Pitt and Penn State grads in those fields. WV-related majors (forestry, regional culture) are also strong. Not to the level of "elite" institutions (Carnegie Mellon, MIT, etc.), but competitive with other major state universities in the north east.

Also has a rep as a "party school". But then so does Penn State. Other than hearing about couch burnings after Mountaineer victories, I don't know how true this is.

City-data shows a 2005 population of just under 29K (up 5.5% since 2000), with almost 90K in Monongalia County as a whole. The city is fairly compact, so a 10 mile commute can get you pretty far out into the country. The Morgantown-Fairmont-Clarksburg corridor along I-79 is one of the 4 or 5 areas in the state with a variety of industries, and thus job opportunities.

Regards,
Snorpus

[HannahB2]

WVU is a party school, but as Snorpus said, it does have a good engineering program. There are many restuarants and many churches also.

Hope I helped.

[rbeltz48]

The university also has excellent programs in the fine arts: music, art and drama. I graduated in 1971 with a degree in music and will always cherish my experiences and memories while at their music school!

[farmerkd]

The party school rep is true! Great town to live in, low crime....growing area many, many new businesses. Churches and rest. well u will find whatever you are looking for, large selection of both....Good Luck