A View from the Midwest

Introduction
As an out-of stater, I constantly get asked, "Why did you choose UVa?" For me, I chose UVa becuase it is a top school that has an incredibly gorgeous campus (grounds*) and I wanted to gain admission into the undergraduate business school. UVa is an extremely competitive school in almost every aspect of student life. Everyone who comes to UVa was at the top of their class. Most students can be quoted saying, "Well I used to be smart." Everyone truly is good at what they do. So if you like being challenged academically and like a competitive atmosphere, UVa may be for you.

Campus Life and Social Life
The weekends basically start on "Thirsty Thursday." The great thing about UVa is that students study hard, but party harder. The statistics say that about 30% of the student body is invovled in greek life. However, their impact and social life is considerable. If you're a first year (not freshman, as Jefferson believed no one could truly attain senior status, and, well, we follow our founder) you'll most likely be partying at frats on the weekends, unless you have a good fake ID. After first year, for the most part, I feel the appeal of frat parties diminishes, unless you're a sketchy upper classman who likes to feel cool by being surrounded by first year girls, who may have had too many drinks. Apartment and house parties can also be a lot of fun. Parties for clubs, and there are many, are also a great time.

UVa was named "Hottest for fitness," and you can see why if you come to UVa. Everyone is always running around grounds, working out at the AFC, or participating in club/varsity athletics. While you may feel out of shape most days, it's a great healthy atmosphere. I myself play club ultimate frisbee for UVa and am so glad I did. There are so many amazing clubs to get invovled in for any interest you may have (Cigar society, Bob Barker's Disciples?...we have it all). My advice is to find a couple or just one thing you're interested in and really get invovled in it, you won't regret it.

And yes football is huge; dressing up to watch drunk people fall down the hill is always amusing while cheering on your hoos. Academics
If you're applying to UVa you should know that you're in for extremely rigorous course work, but you learn so much. I've had some truly amazing professors, and a few that left me asking, "did they know they'd be lecturing 300 stduents for an hour and a half?" We have famous professors of their field that bring a wealth of experience to their lectures which makes your academic experience that much more interesting. Also, students have intelligent remarks to make on every subject matter. Sometimes in high school class discussions, barely anyone talks except for a few people. The people that did participate in those high school discussions go to UVa and you will find your discussions at UVa so much more rewarding because of it.

Student Body
Most students are from Virginia becuase it's a state school, and is required by law to have about 65% in state. A lot of students do come from wealthier families, but I don't think that kind of profile should be surprising for a top school. Most people will tell you the UVa is extremely preppy and southern. While there are a good number of people who are your typical popping the collar, pearl and lacosste/polo wearing folk, this is also a school of a little over 13,000 undergrads and to generalize that kind of population as all preppy would be doing a disservice to the real picture of UVa students. And as far as being southern, there is certainly a fair amount of southerners; after all, it is Virginia. I am from Wisconsin and do not find it overwhelming; on the contrary, I find the atmosphere more welcoming because of it.

For a college, UVa is conservative and if you are looking for a political protest everday, UVa probably isn't the place for you. However, you will see the occasional protest, like one I particpated in last year. When we have a point, we make it.

In Closing...
We're about traditions at UVa, but there's always room for new ones.