University of Virginia (UVA)

For over 200 years, the University of Virginia has been an anchor of the state, now serving 17,000 undergraduates and with almost 10,000 full-time faculty and staff. One of many "rigorous but rewarding" academic experience is the J term, a set of January classes based around field experiences and unusual topics such as "impact investing in Appalachia... which involves visiting various local businesses and VC firms." Other approaches lauded for "allow[ing] us to collaborate and think creatively" include active-learning classes, where students work and "the professor only teaches when the whole class gets stuck," and "class discussions, where material is studied beforehand, and learning mostly done in classroom through talking." These courses "are difficult, but in a way that will ensure a bright future for all students and helps guarantee careers upon graduation."

Overall, students are left happily fascinated by the available courses and "highly encouraged" study abroad opportunities. They also find professors to be helpful in all regards: "very accessible outside of class and want[ing] their students to thrive; grading is fair; the workload is appropriate." There are "a lot of support resources for all areas of growth," and students say they "[have] never met someone unwilling to share their expertise with students." When it comes to crunch time, faculty "are also great about making sure you can succeed if you don't come to class all the time by posting their lectures."

Students at the University of Virginia describe themselves and their peers as "kind and compassionate," the sort of "driven, empathetic, action-orientated, proactive leaders who know how to work across lines of difference and create a diverse yet cohesive community." This is due in part to trickle-down support, as the "environment here for learning and growing connections is exceptionally strong due to the eagerness of upperclassmen to help their younger peers." As one undergrad puts it, "there seems to be every kind of person here," and that's supported by an inclusive attitude that makes room for them. That said, the average student is a self-starter, in short the type "who want to be here, want to learn, and want to have a rounded college experience." According to one undergrad, "you won't find anyone who's not involved in at least one club or group outside of their classes, and it's more common to find people who fill their schedules with 4-5 groups and clubs." Posting extracurricular numbers like those means many are "involved in a really unexpected cross section of interests," and "there is a very strong esprit de corps." It also means that UVA is "a well-sized school where it feels like you can find anything you may be looking for, but also not so big you get overwhelmed."

UVA has "beautiful and historic grounds, which add to the unique character of the university." It's the sort of picturesque college setting wherein "the libraries are always full, the lawn and rotunda are frequently filled with friends hanging out," and "many students go to fitness centers often to fill their days and remain active." As you might expect from that setting, "during the week, UVA students can often be found studying with their friends, meeting with peers for group projects, and studying alone in the many quiet spaces grounds has to offer," like how "dorms and living spaces are used quite frequently for relaxing nights and study sessions." As for downtime and weekends, peers "are very engaged with social events that are hosted by the college or student organizations where there may be food or activities to do with friends."