The University of Virginia

Coming into UVA, I was very excited to get away from the busy work of high school and have professors who were knowledgeable and passionate about their field, and be around other students who were driven to learn and succeed. Unfortunately, this was not at all the experience I had at UVA. My first semester 5 out of my 6 teachers were graduate students, some of whom hardly spoke English (So when they are trying to teach you calculus it can be very very very frustrating!!) And my English teacher only showed up to class when it was convenient for him (Very aggravating to wake up early 3 days a week and walk half way across campus to go to class, only to wait for 15 minutes then leave because the teacher didn't show up?Over half my English classes were canceled or the TA just didn't show). I didn't think it was necessary at such a prestigious school as UVA to have to take a 300+ level class to actually get a full professor, but evidently that is the requirement!

The Clubs and volunteer programs were great. They were easy to get involved in and there are a lot of choices, but in reality this is the case at any large university.

Social life, where to begin...if you aren't in to the drink till you barf frat parties then UVA is not the place for you! There is no other social scene besides frats (which are gross and pretty creepy). I always thought UVA went by the mentality of ?work hard play hard,? but I never saw a whole lot of working here. I came to college to get an education and am paying $21,000+ to learn, not to be able to drink and have tools in ties hit on me! I was really looking forward to the Football games, but they are no fun at all if you're sitting in the student section, everyone will just be slobbering drunk, so try to sit somewhere else especially if you are with your family, because there is a good chance you will get barfed on!

If I could choose my college over again, I would have gone to a smaller school, with a more serious academic environment.

1st Year Female -- Class 2011

Campus Aesthetics: A+, Faculty Accessibility: F

I certainly enjoyed my year and a half at UVa and I look forward to the remaining years. Something to consider is that academic advising before you declare a major is awful. I have met some of the most useless advisors who did not have a clue about science programs because they were history professors. You should have some idea what you want to do before you come here or you will get lost in the liberal arts atmosphere. Seek out people in the fields that interest you...these professors/TA's/upperclassmen are much more helpful than your assigned advisor.

Second, try something different. College is a time to experience. I initially had my doubts about joining a fraternity, but after being dragged out by some first year suitemates to some frat parties and rush, I found a frat I liked and made so many good friends that I never would have met otherwise. It turned out to be one of the best decisions I made my first year. You can pledge a fraternity and do well in course work (esp. 1st year) as long as you budget your time properly.

When second year rolls around, do not take 3 "weed-out" courses in a semester. It is possible to do well, but you will have no life outside of schoolwork. Pre-med is competitive so be prepared to encounter some cut-throat behavior. Get involved in as many activities as you can without overextending yourself. Try to enjoy every second of it because it's already second year and I am still wondering where first year went. Take a chance, streak the lawn, explore the underground tunnels, apply for echols, ask out that pretty girl in your chem class...you fail 100% of the time if you never try.

2nd Year Male -- Class 2011

Individual Value: A+, Collaboration/Competitive: B-

I'm a Korean-American who has lived my entire life in Colorado. When I first visited the grounds on a tour(or "campus" for non-Wahoos) I was struck at how open and friendly the students seemed towards each other. Everyone seemed bright, the campus was beautiful, and there seemed to be a diverse student populace. I was hooked.

Of course, not everything was perfect when I arrived this year. The school is desperately trying to remake its image from a prominently white school to a diverse one; this has been successful to some degree, but many students of different races tend to "self-segregate" themselves. This lack of interaction has also led to very strong stereotypes of minority groups, making it hard for a diversity of interactions. However, the school has a wealth of culture for those willing to step out of their comfort zone and experience what is out there.

In terms of academics, the school can rival that of the Ivy Leagues. Many of the faculty are very committed to their respective fields and try to endow their students with their passions. There are also a countless number of classes to fit all sorts of majors, minors, independent study, research, etc. As for the students, their academic commitments and rigor are generally stronger than those of other public schools, but this is a public school nonetheless. You won't see the kinds of students you would at, say, Harvard. However, this is not bad because the students know there are other things than just school.

Many participate in extracurriculars from intramural and club sports, to musicals, to advocacy groups, to leadership groups, to culturally diverse groups and more. This is a school balancing academics and social life and bringing out the best of them. There is, however, a strong Greek life and alcohol is a rampant problem especially in the frat parties, but isn't it always? As for the Class of 2013, we are all trying to adjust to the new demands of college life. Some first years seem to get caught up in nothing but partying, alcohol, or drugs while others do nothing but work, and many people tend to form cliques, but second year promises the openness, diversity, intelligence, and fun that struck me on my first tour of UVa. It's a matter of adjusting to the possibilities of a well rounded college experience especially here at the University of Virginia.

1st Year Male -- Class 2013

Scholastic Success: A+, Individual Value: C-