Academics
Along with the low in-state tuition, academic rigor is the reason many students choose UVA. “All our schools are pretty strong and we have beautiful facilities, numerous options to choose from in regards to liberal arts education, and most professors are so excited to be here and be teaching,” a sophomore reports. The school’s greatest strengths, according to one senior, “include its location in Charlottesville, the wide variety of courses and their high level of academic rigor, and the many ways to work or volunteer outside the classroom.” “Each class caters to the smartest kids and elevates everyone. “ On the whole, students are very happy with their professors, who are “extremely knowledgeable, passionate, excellent teachers, with a few exceptions. The teachers are generally very accessible and responsive to emails, and are genuinely interested in helping students succeed and encouraging exploration of interesting topic material outside of class.” While students note that in large lecture classes it can be a challenge to engage, “professors are very accessible if you seek them out,” and “are genuinely interested in helping students succeed and encouraging exploration of interesting topic material outside of class.” Academics here are almost universally described as rigorous and challenging, with a particularly tough grading curve in the sciences, but students praise the available resources and academic advising. “Having a personal relationship with faculty members outside of the classroom helps with the academic experience.”
