The University of Virginia

I came to UVa as an international student, knowing absolutely no one. If I could relive the last 4 years for the rest of my life, I would. Academically, intellectually, environmentally, socially, The University has been for me, a better experience than I could have even imagined. It has been said that it's too large, that it's full of cliques, that it doesn't cater to the individual- I graduated from middle school with 7 other students, and from high school with 81, and yet I found The University to be a personal, intimate place, one in which I would consider spending the rest of my life. I feel like I'm in an episode of Cheers or Friends most of the time- this is literally 'where everybody knows your name'. I refer to the Dean of Students by her first name, I had dinner at my professor's house last week. Academically it has been amazing- I agree, not every student is Stephen Hawking, and not every person has come to dedicate 4 years to the pursuit of academia, but unless you seek out easy classes, you will be challenged. The professors have no reason to inflate grades or to mollycoddle their students, thus they don't. They recognise those who put time and effort into their studies and in my experience there has been no professor who hasn't been more than willing to go out of their way to help.

The traditions at UVa are incredible and truly add to the wonderful culture on grounds- from the way students treat each other with respect to the way they apply the Honor code to every aspect of their lives; history, tradition and respect permeate the actions of most of the students. (I'm not trying to pretend this is Utopia, as with any university, there are problems, big ones, but people are working hard to change them, and overall they are a minor part of what happens.)

Any university is what you make of it, if you choose to be unhappy, then you will be and in that case, of course, another university would be better for you. I chose to love UVa (the choice was made easy for me) and I have had the best 4 years of my life. Yes, there were ups and downs, but they were worth it for the Honor of Honors, and for the look of the Lawn as the lights are lit, and as the leaves fall. Here's to you, Mr Jefferson.

Alumnus Male -- Class 2000