<p>This would be a problem for me since I'm Iraqi and Muslim. I read a review on one site where someone said that unless you are a big drinker in a fraternity/sorority, you would hate it there.</p>
<p>I don't drink and I don't really enjoy parties that much. I don't want to feel segregated or anything either. How is it at UVA if you're not a big partier and are not a rich white prep?</p>
<p>Thanks, I toured UVA and loved it and I really want to go there after high school. I just don't like what I've heard about social life at UVA, so if you can clear it up/get rid of any stereotypes that would be great.</p>
<p>Pshhh… Every college has their rich preppy white kids. I’ll admit, UVA has a lot more than most, but they dont overwhelm the college by any means. There is diversity, but it isn’t anything like Emory or anything haha.</p>
<p>Collegeboard’s Information about UVA:
1% American Indian/Alaskan Native
13% Asian/Pacific Islander
9% Black/Non-Hispanic
5% Hispanic
59% White/Non-Hispanic
6% Non-Resident Alien
8% Race/ethnicity unreported</p>
<p>It’s not too shabby. As an Indian, I understand your fears about the lack of diversity and stuff. But really, UVA has a TON of diversity, you just need to look for it. If you think there is no diversity and it’s all about partying, that’s all you are going to see because you obsess over the bad qualities. You don’t need to drink to have fun.</p>
<p>There are all kinds of people at every university, don’t worry. You’ll enjoy UVA, even if you don’t party hard.</p>
<p>There are indeed lots of rich, white, preppy kids at UVA with superiority complexes. Probably not a whole lot more, as a percentage, than any other top university, though.</p>
<p>Doin,
How is it that you have not even been accepted to UVa but you have already figured out that “there are lots of rich, white, preppy kids at UVa with superiority complexes”?</p>
<p>UVA is a big place. There are a lot of different kinds of people here. The quickest way to find “your people” is to join a club that centers around your interests–a sport, a religious or ethnic group, a service activity, a hobby, etc.</p>
<p>I’ll one up you - I’ve never even visited UVA. However, I have many friends and acquaintances who go there, and even more who have been there more than a few times; none of them would argue otherwise. I don’t think it should really be surprising to anybody that UVA is like that. That said, more alternative, less “bro”-ish people should have no problem finding friends with a little extra effort. I hate to generalize, but I think UVA definitely overall fits those stereotypes - although perhaps not to the same degree as some schools.</p>
<p>^^^^agreed, I have friends that attend and they more or less confirm those stereotypes. However, don’t be afraid to go. I’m Lebanese, and I plan on attending if i get in regardless of the social life if thats any consolation.</p>
<p>Agreed. It’s not hard to find a niche you feel comfortable in though, you just have to get out there and look, but it’s not like it’s hard. It’s hard to make friends for everyone unless you get out there and expose yourself. There’s 13K students at UVa, the probability of finding no one you can get along with is just about zero. There are always other kids on this board with similar fears, so not only are there obviously others like you, but we try to reassure them too that UVa is not just full of rich snobs. Do a search for other advice/thoughts on this</p>
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<p><em>Sigh</em> Not at all, I wish this would go away. While there are some traits like this, 98% of the people are not this way. And 0% have every trait you mentioned. Close-minded is never heard of, UVa is too academically rich to have close-minded people. Preppy is a style and not a bad thing, people care about how they look, and caring about how you look gets you extremely far in the world, especially when it comes to jobs. And if you mean conservative in politics, I see a lot more democratic views than conservative, but that’s just my opinion. If you mean socially, that too is probably a good thing…</p>
<p>And for the record, the only stereotype I fit above is being white, which is sadly the first thing people home in on. I think bystanders paint the racist picture themselves, but point aside, it’s not a popular trait at UVa and no one encourages it, whatsoever. Sort of goes along with domestic violence now, it disgusts students to see that kind of behavior at their school and most admittedly do not support either behavior.</p>
<p>I also hate this stereotype. I’m very academically-minded and I very rarely go out drinking. It’s not a problem at all and I’m a third-year now; it’s never been a problem for me. There are so many people here; as has been said, it’s impossible not to find your niche and people with whom you get along well. I was probably one of the shyest, least social kids in HS - I’ve absolutely loved UVa, I’m involved in a ton of organizations and have made the best friends of my life here. </p>
<p>Agreed - close-minded is ridiculous. Everyone’s so interested in so many different academic concepts and other activities (almost all UVa students I know are involved in at least two or more organizations) that open-mindedness is almost inherent in the student. You’re going to get some racism and arrogance and BS no matter what environment you’re in - I don’t think it exists at UVa anymore than at any other college of similar size. We aren’t the most multicultural school, no - that doesn’t mean there’s a bad attitude. Every college has its ups and downs; in my opinion, UVa has more ups than a lot of places…you’ll find your place; the majority of people here are really friendly and willing to help you out. </p>
<p>As for the Greek scene - only 30% of undergrads are in a frat or sorority. It’s easy to avoid and not at all overwhelming. I have both perspectives on this - I was in a sorority for two years, but I wasn’t very involved with it all and I barely noticed. I’m not in it anymore, and I still have friends who are in sororities, and a lot of friends who aren’t. UVa’s the kind of place where you can make it exactly what you want it to be.</p>