Growing up in Richmond, Va., and playing the violin for nearly 10 years, Justin Williams set his sights on Virginia Commonwealth University and its nationally ranked School of the Arts early on in his academic career.
“I love Richmond – the city, its diversity, the culture, the weather,” said Williams, now a VCU freshman majoring in music performance.
However, when learning more about the university as a high school student, Williams found a part of VCU he didn’t know as much about: the Honors College. But it didn’t take long for him to realize its benefits — and that he met its admission requirements.
“I thought, ‘I can get those SAT scores. I’ve got that GPA,’” Williams said. “There are definitely a lot of perks in the Honors College. You get your own dorm room. There’s nothing better than that.”
Living in honors-only housing also allows Williams to develop a support system with his fellow students.
“What I like most about the Honors College is you get a lot of support from students in your own classes,” he said. “If I have 15 people in my class, 10 of them live on my floor. So if I miss something, they can help me out.”
Williams again doesn’t have to go far when he needs a quiet place to play his violin, thanks to two soundproof music practice rooms in the Honors College. Since he spends at least five hours a day perfecting his skills, Williams said he is grateful to have a convenient — and available — place to practice.
With such a time-intensive major, he relies on the Honors College for a chance to unwind — a new honors lounge with a big screen TV is “perfect for watching Monday Night Football and hosting Guitar Hero tournaments,” Williams said — and get together with students outside of his major.
“In the Honors College, you can meet people from everywhere — all different majors, all different fields,” he said. “I really want to stay in the honors dorm. It’s a great location, too, next to great restaurants and near the [VCU Stuart C. Siegel Center] gym.”
Williams often compares the facilities at VCU and the Honors College with friends at other schools, and said that VCU always comes out on top.
“I just can’t believe this is for real,” he said. “If you’re looking elsewhere, VCU is a great option. The engineering, music and arts programs — wow. It’s just a great school.”
