University of Richmond

Photo: University of Richmond. Retrieved from: www.richmond.edu

The University of Richmond is a selective school offering undergraduate and graduate classes. It is a residential university where approximately 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students complete their requirements to earn degrees. There are five schools in the university the school of Arts and Sciences, a business school, a school of leadership studies, a school of Law and the school of professional and continuing studies.

School History

University of Richmond started out as a seminary for men founded by Virginia Baptists in 1830. After ten years, t he school was incorporated as Richmond College. This school played a significant role in the American Civil War, when it was used as a clinic for Confederate soldiers. Later, it was converted into a Union barracks. When the war was over, the college faced financial difficulties and had to close. It was in 1866 when the school was reopened after James Thomas donated 5,000 dollars. In 1870, the school of law was founded.

In 1894, Dr. Frederic W. Boatwright was elected president and he served for more than five decades. During his term, the college was moved from Fan district to the Westhampton area in 1914. The college named the Boatwright Memorial Library in his honor. A new school for women, Westhampton College, was also opened in the campus. In 1969, E. Claiborne Robins donated fifty million dollars to her alma mater. In 1987, the Jepson School of Leadership studies with a donation of $20 million by Robert S. Jepson, Jr. This school is a pioneer in this subject matter. In 1990, Richmond and Westhampton Colleges were integrated to create the present School of Arts and Sciences of the university.

Campus Life

Many of the students choose to live in campus because of the comfortable living spaces provided by the college. The housing options are 14 in total, and these comprise residence halls for men and women. There are co-ed spaces for upperclassmen, but most of the freshmen residences are either all-male or all-female. The room dimensions are given early to new residents so planning for furniture purchases as well as storage options becomes easier.

Greek life is active on campus, with sororities and fraternities making the party scene lively. Political organizations are also abundant, among which, the young democrats organization is very prominent. The school is also rife with religious groups that bond together in prayer regularly. Students will find something to do with their extra time, including movies in nearby urban centers. Club sports are another option.

It’s a good idea to bring a car to school, in order for the student to explore the beautiful areas surrounding the campus. Parking fee is minimal and affordable. Non-drinkers will enjoy the party scene and many students respect each other’s principles when it comes to what kind of parties they want to attend.

The friendly community make the parents of students feel at ease sending their kids to the University of Richmond. The academic offerings are good, and the campus is serene. The university is also very close to urban areas like Richmond and DC, so going to and from these places is easy. The research opportunities at the University of Richmond make it fun for students to study technical subject areas.

Financial Aid

The University of Richmond offers need-based financial aid for students, which is subject to evaluation by the administration. As long as the application process is completed and the documents are all there, a student can expect a financial aid meeting soon. Some packages involve scholarships and grants, as well as opportunities to work in campus. Loans are also offered in financial aid packages for applicants.

Rankings

2017 College Rankings