<p>jcool, I’m not sure what “unofficially offered” means exactly, but if you could potentially save ~$200,000 by going to UR, I think it’s definitely worth the trip up from B-ham to do an overnight visit. Try coming up Thursday after you get out of school. Crash with your host Thursday night, then go to classes with them Friday so you can get an idea of what a typical day is like. If you’re not interested in the courses your host has, see if they know anyone that is taking something you’re interested in and tag along with them. If you’re able to swing it, stay until Saturday, so you can get a better idea of what the social scene is like on Friday night (and, depending on your host, you’ll get a taste on Thursday night as well). Fly back Saturday.</p>
<p>I can’t really speak of the gay scene at UR too much. I’m not a homophobe, but I only knew of two that I ever hung out with. Given the unofficial opportunity you have, I really think that spending a little bit of cash to find out first hand if you think UR is a place you could spend more or less every day for the next four years of your life would be a wise thing.</p>
<p>One thing we do have at UR which is really pushed hard by the admin is Allies (formerly College Town). [The</a> Allies Institute](<a href=“University of Richmond”>University of Richmond) It’s a four day retreat to have real conversation on “touchy” subjects such as ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, and class. May be something to inquire about further.</p>