The following reviews are the views of students or alumni at this school and are unrelated to the school data and other editorial content on usnews.com. These reviews neither reflect nor impact a school's position within the Best Colleges rankings.
I love that UVA has so many traditions and random quirky things about it. Like our secret societies...really, who does that? they're so mysterious, but insanely cool. and things like streaking the lawn, or telling a secret on the whispering bench, or steam tunneling. theres so many opportunities for adventures. theres also A LOT that is ALWAYS going on. ppl are really active here and organize sooooooo much ishhhh to do. there's a lot of school pride, and its always fun to go to a football or basketball game. you dont even have to like the sport to have fun and go wahoo crazy. c-ville is a pretty fly town...there's the downtown mall, the corner, and just lots of places to eat and hang out.
Larry Junior
*** the police.
Haile Senior
This is an institution where you get bang for your buck (if you're in-state). The faculty are generally very impressive in the liberal arts, less so in the sciences. The courses are certainly more demanding than many other Virginia colleges and universities. I am proud to be a recent graduate of UVA. The best thing about UVA is the campus. It is beautiful and inspiring, especially outdoors. Brick buildings and sidewalks; lots of greenery, flowers, and trees; neoclassical architecture; tradition. Inside buildings, spaces are mostly about functionality, except in the libraries, where each library has a different atmosphere, so students can study in spaces that suit them best. The campus is walking distance to many good, inexpensive places to eat.
Claire Alum
A lot of school pride. A few problems with racism and how the honor system is handled. Frats & sororities are kind of big, which I hated. Charlottesville is an awesome town...So much to do. It's a small town with a big city feel. The 'corner' was my favorite...A street with shops, restaurants, and bars. The bar scene at UVA is better than a lot of other schools (like JMU). One of my favorite things to do was hit up the corner and go to bars (they're getting A LOT stricter with underage kids though... don't risk it. You can wait a few years to stumble out of bars).
Tina Alum
Its the best education around. That's why I'm there and that's why I love it. The classes are large, but some of my best have been broad lectures (such as macroeconomics, and western art history), and with just a little work it is so easy to get into small discussions. The school is also not just about thought, but activity. Despite its great books and intellectuals, UVA is nothing without the productive energy that buzzes around grounds, and while there you are not just expanding your mind, but simultaneously preparing yourself for a lifetime of productive work, responsiblity, and well rounded fulfilment. The administration is large and confusing, and the expectation is that you will be responsible for yourself, and will take care of yourself. However this is a wonderfully valuable and needed lesson in maturity, and at any time, when needed many of the staff are very friendly and always willing to help. There is a ton of school pride. How can there not be - its UVA. Oh, and about tradition: as you know, the school was envisioned and founded by Thomas Jefferson, and his legacy so lives on that somtimes as I pass through the colonial architecture amongst people chatting about the most exciting advancements of the day, I can feel the revolutionary spirit of the founding fathers, and know their dreams have become reality. With statues ranging from Homer to George Washinton, its nice to feel like you're truly a part of the big picture - still the tradition keeps it personal, with rituals and celebrations for individual achievement and recognition.
Danny Junior
The best part about UVA would definately be the people. Everyone is so nice and welcoming and I feel so at home here. I do not think I would change anything at UVA except for maybe the dining hall food. It is just right in size and it is very much a college town. everything revolves around the lawn and all the classes are around it. There is a lot of school pride and for football games with have this saying of "girls in pearls and guys in ties" where both groups dress up in sundresses and khakis shirt and tie.
alyse Freshman
Reviews provided by: UnigoVisit Unigo to see 121 other reviews and videos on University of Virginia.
