The University of Virginia

UVa is a great school with a lot of great students. We have a very balanced social atmosphere, where the kids are smart but they don't work 24 hours a day. Our sports teams, though they don't always win, are always well-supported by the student body and game days are a big deal, which is fun.

UVa is a Southern school, and as an out-of-stater from Massachusettes, I could really feel the Southerness. Dresses and ties are required for a lot of events that you might not expect to need them for (sorority/fratenity events, football games, various school events), which I enjoy, because I think getting dressed up is fun. We serve bisuits and grits and sweet tea with a lot of meals, and the use of "y'all" is very pervasive. I find it to be quite charming.

Charlottesville doesn't have a lot to offer unless you really look for it. I came from a major urban city (Boston) so it was kind of a tough adjustment for me, having to really go out of my way just to get to CVS or Target or...anything, really. The corner has some cute shopping and dining, as does the downtown mall, but they can be a hassle to get to sometimes. Socially, I heard a lot about the Greek scene but I don't really feel like it's that dominant. I usually find myself at the frats on the weekends but the frat parties are usually REALLY fun, so it's alright, and they aren't extremely exclusive. I don't get a feeling of Greek-or-geek at all.

Overall, I'm really impressed with the quality of the student body. Some people are just idiots, but mostly, people are intelligent. We all worked really hard to get here, and people know that. We definitely get quite a few people who were rejected from Harvard, Yale, and Princeton, or people who got in but couldn't afford to go. It can get frustrating, hearing people discuss how their Ivy League hopes were crushed and they ended up here. I'm not sure exactly why that irritates me; I suppose I don't like to think of UVa as being second-fiddle to anyone, because I've been so pleased with everything this school has offered me as an educational institution. Either way, be prepared to deal with quite a few bitter Ivy League rejects. (But--at least the benefit of this system is that people were smart enough/high enough achievers to at least give HYP a shot.)

Occassionally I do run into a bad apple, or some really unfriendly, materialistic people, but they're easy enough to avoid and I find that they're the exception to the rule. OH, another thing that can get annoying is that as a public school, a lot of students came with 20+ other students from their high school. It's not that they only hang with their HS friends, but it gets frustrating when everyone is like, "Oh, you went to Such-and-Such High School? I went to So and So High School. Do you remember Jennifer Smith? Remember when she and Mr. Jameson hooked up? Hahaha. Remember when we beat This and That High School at football in 9th grade?" High school gets carried over into college more here than it does at other colleges, I imagine. Though I can't say for sure as I've never been to any oher colleges.

The campus (or Grounds) is beautiful. You will not find a more beautiful university anywhere in the world. And our history gives us a truly unique character that is completely unrivaled. I've been impressed with the faculty--all my teachers are friendly and I can visit them at office hours whenever I want. They give out e-mails and sometimes phone numbers and I can always go to them for help when I need it.Overall, UVa is a great school. It has some flaws, but nowhere is perfect. Our balance of academics and social outlets is unmatched. If you want to come to college to get it all--an excellent education, a fulfilling social life, and alumni connections for life--come to UVa.

1st Year Female -- Class 2010

Campus Aesthetics: A+, Surrounding City: C

When I was a senior in the mid-80s, the "preppy" fad was in full swing, and as far as most people were concerned, UVa was a haven for such types. I suppose I was and still am one- I pledged a fraternity and was a member of the rugby club team. However, I did not spend every weekend passed out on another fraternity's kitchen floor. I honestly did make a serious effort to study because I didn't think I'd find myself working in the family business, and my father might have turned me away had I barely made it through. The degree has helped me tremendously in the business world. I live in Richmond and UVa has a large "ol' boy network" in the area where I grew up. The respect it gains is comparable to Duke, Wake Forest, or most Ivies. I went to business school at Penn and it seems most of the people I deal with could care less about that, more my B.S. in economics from "Mr. Jefferson's University."

As far as social life, fraternities are prominent but not as popular as one would think. There is a very diverse environment nowadays, more so than when I was there, but not much mixing occurs. There are PLENTY of parties and it's easy to be caught up in them, but I think I had a decent balance and graduated with a 3.4 GPA. The football games are as fun as they are made out to be. Most of my fraternity brothers preferred to spend them drinking liquor but my friend from boarding school was fine watching the games sober with me. Everyone dresses up and it is an example of true East Coast and Southern class.The school is wonderful as long as you don't get too caught up in the parties. There is something for everyone nowadays, but it is growing and may eventually become a UNC or UGA that everyone wants to attend. If you want a smaller school, but inexpensive, but still incredible education, go two hours east to W&M. However, once you get past 101s, the classes are much smaller and the profs are great. I had a great time and if you don't mind a relatively large school, go if you can!

Alumnus Male -- Class 2000