<p>I have less than two weeks to decide whether to transfer to UVa. I was offered significant financial aid at UVa, on top of being in-state.</p>
<p>While money is definitely a factor, I want to be sure UVa is the right place for me. If any current students could answer some of my questions, I would be very grateful.</p>
<p>1) What is the academic atmosphere at UVa? Are you challenged by your peers, in and out of class? Are students politically aware/socially conscious? </p>
<p>2) The average GPA at UVa is a 3.2. Does this lack of grade inflation effect graduate school placement? Columbia/Barnard classes usually curve to a B+/A-, making it fairly easy to get good grades at my current school.</p>
<p>3) Do you feel suffocated in Charlottesville, or bored by the repetitiveness of weekends? Is there a lot happening on campus?</p>
<p>4) Are students at UVa mostly straight-edge? I know they drink plenty, but is this limited to frat parties? Is there a drug scene, for those who are interested? My friend told me "most people don't know what weed is," but I find this unlikely.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for your help!</p>
<p>Charlottesville is the worst place ever. Sersiously, DON’T COME HERE. You will get mired in the Jeffersonian quagmire and never, ever be able to extricate yourself. All the Charlottesville residents pretty much hate the students, the feeling is mutual, and everyone is annoyingly conservative. If you’re really into falling asleep **** drunk in a kiddie pool at three in the morning on someone’s roof, come to UVa. Otherwise, I personally think that if you leave New York to come here you will regret it for the rest of your life.</p>
<p>Yes. I have lived here for 12 years, so I think I know what I’m talking about. That said, they do have great academics. Would never argue that point.</p>
<p>I don’t know where the previous comments came from. Charlottesville is the most liberal city on the East coast. I mean, we were top 10 in the nation for Prius sales for a long time if that means anything (the other cities all being on the west coast).</p>
<p>I would say 3.2 IS grade inflation. I mean, what kind of high school has that kind of average?? This is a public state school, not an A giving institution. If you work, you can get an A. If you slack off, you might fail. Based on your question about being intellectually challenged, you’ll probably work enough to do fine.</p>
<p>Just today, I was talking (to my advisor, lol) about how there is never enough time to go to all of the arts events I want to go to (concerts) as well as opportunities like movies, parties, hanging out with friends, etc. This is a giant school and something new is always going on. It’s not NYC but it’s more than you would expect from a college town because it is such a mid-big state school.</p>
<p>Your usage of straight edge is funny. I know there are some students who do drugs, but it is a small minority. Most students just drink. But you realize that doing drugs is illegal and is probably not going to help your GPA or future jobs???</p>
<p>Charlottesville is liberal. UVa itself is full of conservative lax bros. If that’s what you want then MORE POWER TO YOU</p>
<p>FYI, I am from New York and also lived in Boston before coming to Charlottesville. I have scores of colleagues and neighbors from both cities. We all love it here. :)</p>
<p>OP: Are you coming from Barnard? I met two girls from Barnard and a guy from Columbia in my transfer orientation group and they turned out to LOVE UVA. </p>
<p>Anyway, don’t listen to francisvdahlmann, he has admitted to hating UVA. I don’t know why he would apply to another state school (UMich) when he was UVA right there (did you get rejected man?). Good luck with your decision. </p>
<p>PS: Since when is weed is a drug? Hazer, didn’t you live in Brown? Some of my friends, who were arguably the biggest pot-heads lived there and would smoke up in the rooms at Brown. They also got really good grades. I don’t think anyone needs to be lectured about the consequences of weed.</p>
<p>Great post, wahoomb! Yes, I’m coming from Barnard! Love it there too, but can’t really deal with the size anymore. I’m surprised you had so many kids from Barnard in your transfer orientation group alone! Thanks for alleviating my worries about this</p>
<p>I also got in as a transfer from villanova and am still deciding but interested in this discussion</p>
<p>im using sarcasm here!</p>
<p>Also, does anyone know how easy it is to get into desired classes as a transfer student? (I am aware that returning students have already enrolled in their fall classes.)</p>
<p>In other words: Does the size of the school interfere with you getting into the classes you want? (Particularly in the more popular majors such as Politics or Economics?)</p>
<p>You’re welcome! As a transfer student, you shouldn’t have too much of a problem signing up and getting into the classes you want since they make space for transfer students. I didn’t have a problem getting into my classes as a first-semester second year (when I took Econ 201–I don’t know if Mirman is still teaching the course, but I suggest not taking it with him, most people fail his midterm and do well in the final…I didn’t enjoy having a 59 for a grade the whole semester only to be a B+ at the end), take it in a smaller section (of 20-30 students). For politics classes, there are large, medium and small classes (for advanced third and fourth years), so you shouldn’t have a problem getting into the classes you want. Take Politics of the Middle East with Quandt if they still offer it–it is such a good/informative and not terribly hard class.</p>
<p>I mean I think it would have been better to say what was said in reply, discussing drugs on CC is not wise, of course it is possible to get good grades while doing all sorts of crazy stuff but that doesn’t make it right.
I refrained from initiating an implication of my fellow Brownies in illegal activities, but I’m not going to dispute true facts… But fact still remains, if you get caught doing drugs, which are illegal, there are consequences. Maybe you don’t think you’ll get caught, and that is your choice…</p>
<p>I also live in California so I do have a different perspective on that issue .</p>
<p>When do you get to pick classes as a transfer student and what is the best housing?</p>
<p>Under Federal regs, it is possible to lose all Federal grants and loans if you are caught with a joint. If you commit murder, you can keep collecting them.</p>
<p>hahahaha that’s absolutely ridiculous for a victim-less “crime”.</p>
<p>bigtuna - I can’t speak for housing, but we register for classes at Orientation just like the first years. There’s a page on Facebook for 2011 Transfers and a group for third year transfers (Class of 2013). Several people are looking for roommates off grounds if you’re interested!</p>