The preppy/snobby environment. The environment at UVA is nothing like i've ver seen before. I thought wearing "pearls and dresses" to a football game was a joke. On my first football game, I was wearing a UVA Jersey and shorts, and some girls told me to change into a Lily Pulitzer dress. That is just one example. The culture here is very exclusive and preppy. Forgetting about Greek Life (which is a whole different story), there are so many clubs which are just horribly exclusive and every member has an extreme about of snobbiness through their membership. UGuides/Secret societies just breed the culture for more snootiness and exclusivity. It feels like the snobby boarding school kids have more power around grounds than other students. I can go on and on for how the culture here is just awful. I mean, FOXFIELD? does that say anything about the tacky culture here?
Housing
The housing situation here is also ridiculous. Students sign up for leases within 3 days. The school does not do ANYTHING to help this situation. The housing here also feels ridiculously exclusive. Sorority houses, apartment leases, et.c You have to find your friends within the first 3 weeks of school or you lose out on housing.
Segregation. UVA is extremely segregated. The Asians live on one area of campus, so do the African Americans so do the white students, etc. etc. As a white student, I can easily say I've never really been friends with more than 3 minority students. (Not because I consider myself racist, or what not, but because everything here is so segregated. Housing, meal plans, etc. Trust me, I'd love for UVA to not be segregated). Also, socioeconomically, it's also segregated like no where else. Through Greek Life, housing, meal plans, everyone is in different groups based on socioeconomic status and race. The lack of unity is very sad here!
Greek Life. Worst experience of my life. UVA should really be ashamed of how girls conduct themselves during this experience. (I'll just leave it at that. I might as well just make another completely separate post about this.)
Lack of care by the professors/staff. During my second semester, I reached out to a Dean to talk about how to make my situation better. I wasn't going to just cry in the corner. I wanted to be proactive and make UVA my home! I wanted to give UVA my all! After all, it was my school. I reached out to a Dean to talk about how I can make my situation better. Instead of understanding and helping me...HE SCOLDED ME and I left his office CRYING TO MY MOM. The dean not only scolded me, but he told me I lack confidence and self-esteem. (Which is just plain- un called for). Now, I was proactive. I REACHED OUT TO A SECOND DEAN! Maybe the first dean had an off-day, or we didn't connect. When I reached out to the SECOND dean...it also was a complete mess. He didn't help me resolve anything. He sugarcoated the issue, and made me feel hopeless and alone.
UVA has an extremely “nose in the air, we don’t see it” kind of behavior. They act like if they don’t see something, it’s not there. UVA isn’t what I’d call a “proactive” or “healthy” environment for any student.
I’m sorry you could not find groups at UVa where you could feel comfortable, and that you do not feel you received sufficient help when you asked for it…
It does not surprise me that a number of the older sororities are still part of the preppy culture,but overall that is a much smaller part of the University than it was decades ago.
It should not surprise anyone that the students from China tend to stick together and the students from S. Korea tend to stick together. That is not only for language reasons, but also for cultural reasons. I believe you would find that to be true at many universities with many international students. When I went to grad school, the students from UK used to stick together, even when they had little in common otherwise.
It is common for students at universities to feel a little alienated in their first year. It takes a little while to develop a group of reliable friends and to find organizations that interest you. The problem is complicated because many first years tend to try out for very competitive organizations that have high profiles, and are disappointed when they are not accepted… They would be better off looking for less competitive groups or non-competitive groups to join.
Also, students tend to feel a stronger sense of belonging as they advance in their major, take smaller classes, work in group projects, and find people with common interests.
No one mentioned anything about alcohol or recklessness on this thread. I assumed the comments about sorority rush had to do with how some rushees were treated.
Also, in regards to 2nd year housing - it is the landlords who try to convince students they need to instantly sign a lease for 2nd year. That warning does not align with the facts. The U’s Housing office tries each year to convince students that the landlords are creating false warnings, and that there is no housing shortage. If a student insists on living in a particular expensive housing complex near the corner, they may need to sign a lease early. However, if they do not care about a particular building, they can wait until they have gone through the University’s housing lottery and have gotten to know prospective roommates better.
First year everyone lives on grounds. For each later year, there is a lottery. My understanding is that everyone who wants to live on grounds can find a spot, but it may not be a spot that you want, because some are further away from central grounds. Most 3rd and 4th years prefer to live off-grounds, including in sororities and fraternities. There has been substantial new private apartment construction in the last decade within walking distance of the Central Grounds. Some of the private housing is closer to central grounds than some of the University’s housing.
One of the down sides, though of private housing is that you need to pay for a 12 month lease. That is a positive if you want to attend a summer class or need the storage space.
@Dustyfeathers, I would imagine the OP called out the sororities rather than the fraternities because she’s a girl and her experience was with the former, not the latter.
@Charliesch , just curious, do you attend UVA? Or are you a staff member?
And yes. I can’t say anything regarding fraternities, because I’m a girl, and it doesn’t feel fair to make statements without having first hand experience.
Please note, I’m NOT a first year. I’m an Upperclassmen actually and hoped the situation would change or I would eventually find my niche.
“The U’s Housing office tries each year to convince students that the landlords are creating false warnings, and that there is no housing shortage.”
Actually in my experience, this is so far from true! UVA did not address housing WHATSOEVER until January. I did not hear of any “warnings” or “suggestions.” I actually, (typical of UVA) had NO GUIDANCE WHATSOEVER (in my experience). UVA did NOT address housing at all. It made me think "oh no, everyone is finding their apartment ASAP. UVA should find a way to work with the leasing companies to ensure that students sign the lease in January rather than the 3rd day of school.
UVA also doesn’t have student housing that is even comparable to the off grounds housing. UVA should try harder to find apartments that are more comparable and competitive with the off grounds apartments.
Regarding segregation, I agree with what you said, but I don’t like finding excuses for segregation either.
Thanks, OP. We went to the DoTL last month and DD and I had serious concerns about the sophomore housing situation. I asked several UVA students about this (my DD thinks that I am overly focused on housing as my son has had to go off campus at his school) and got a similar response to yours. Basically, the sophomores all want to go off campus because off-campus housing is cheaper and/or closer to classes than on-campus housing. As a result, there is pressure to form housing groups in October or November in order to get a good place. So, kids tend to stick with their initial friends (whereas for most college kids friendships tend to evolve over freshman year from dorms, classes, clubs, etc.) In many cases, roommate groups do not stray far from socioeconomic groups or, particularly at a state flagship, who you may have known form your high school or a neighboring school. We have a similar problem here in England as a similar second-year housing frenzy means that many students groups never mingle (eg, the North London kids tend to hang with other North London kids for the entire time at Uni). Anyway, we found this a big red flag for UVA, although overall we did like the school.
Yes, people may argue that housing is a minor detail, but it actually plays a key role in a students’ experience. If you have a bad roommates, that can really make a difference on your UVA exprience. The issue is: because students sign a week into school, (I know someone who signed 3 DAYS of school!!) students stick with their initial friends. Problems start when friendships evolve and the initial friends don’t remain true friends. Because of this, you’re 100% right. Students rarely mingle and get to know each other. I just don’t know why UVA hasn’t thought of more comparable housing. Students want apartments that are near Wertland St or the Corner, so why is UVA putting so much housing further away?? Students want their own room, so why does UVA not provide apartments with single rooms?? Students want to decorate their rooms freely and expressively, so why does UVA have such stringent decoration rules?? (just a few examples!!)
I also wonder if UVA could find a way to purchase some of the leasing companies (if possible). Again, I don’t know, but with an endowment of 7.619 billion, you’d think they could buy something.
Housing is a big deal. If you have a roommate who doesn’t want frineds over, you get a less social experience. If you have a roommate who is mean, you’re going to hate coming home. Housing IS a big deal.
Housing is a big red flag at UVA. Can definitely give you more red flags if you’d like.
I’ve never been to a school where students are thrilled with housing. I went to schools in cities where there was a true lack of student housing options. Landlords didn’t bother with the amenities that you see here and some didn’t even bother with routine maintenance. Of course, just because it’s worse elsewhere doesn’t mean you shouldn’t look for ways to improve the situation in front of you.
There is a surplus of housing in Charlottesville. I’ve been here for 12 years and I see the res life staff (and sometimes Student Council) try to take things down a notch every year when people start promoting the scarcity idea. Somehow, the fear mongering works on many students, but not on all. I had a third year in the office around Spring Break who said his group was about to sign a lease for an apartment.
BTW, schools operate off the interest on an endowment. Some endowed funds are restricted, so the school can only spend the interest on certain activities (an endowed chair in an academic department, for example). UVA has a group called [url=<a href=“http://www.uvimco.com/%5DUVIMCO%5B/url”>http://www.uvimco.com/]UVIMCO[/url] that deals with all of that.
Charlie is a UVA parent…probably one of the most informed parents on the boards these days. He gets through the UVA Today morning update before I do sometimes! He always tries to help people who post here.
@wmt2910, please, please don’t assume that no one cares about you because you didn’t have a good experience with one or two deans. I care and I promise you that there are lots of people at UVA who are obsessed with the success and growth of students. I am glad you explored other options since you aren’t happy at UVA. I hope you find a happy home at your chosen school.
Thanks, Dean. I should note that I am not a staffperson. I am an alum and parent of a recent grad, who had a great experience at UVa and has a great job (after being recruited on-grounds). As an out of state student, he was a little alienated in his first couple months, like many students at many universities. He also was disappointed that he not selected for the club sport and two other organizations that he tried out for in his first semester, but he found a different club sport, a fraternity and other organizations that he loved.
I have great sympathy for the OP and I am a mom of a successful UVA grad and currently have a son there in his second year, both engineers. The housing situation is a huge issue and puts a ridiculous amount of pressure on students right from the start. My oldest was able to find an apartment to share for his second year ( then lived in a group house which was a pit for his last two years) but it was a very stressful and hard process to navigate and he is an extremely capable and smart guy. My second year son literally just signed a lease for next year. He is currently in on campus housing but not happy with the apartment or roommates that he was randomly assigned so he did not want to live in campus housing again. He had a very tough freshman year socially and academically despite being a well rounded although introverted person in high school. He was not able to find a roommate group for second year. Saying that kids generally are never thrilled with housing at college is not hearing what the OP is saying… what would be helpful is if the university did more to help students connect with potential roommates for on and off campus housing. It might be helpful if they offered first years the chance to live with people with similar interests, e.g. an engineering dorm so the engineers can find people with similar interests and and similar workloads for study companions.
I have kids at 3 different universities, including UVA. The housing situation for upperclassmen is quite similar to VT. Certain landlords and leasing companies create a false sense of urgency 10 mos out and many students feel the angst. The notification you received from UVA forewarning of the phenomenon is the same as and all that is and can be done at VT. My son at VT caved to the pressure freshman year and signed a lease for sophomore year by October as a freshman. When it was time for him to move in, the place was a disaster and we had to come up with housing for him within 24 hours, a few days before school started. It was no problem. Have been in that situation several more times with child 1 and child 2-needing to find housing last minute-and it is entirely do-able. The point is 1) it is a contrived situation created by landlords, not the U. 2) It does not occur only at UVA. Our experience with our UVA student is there are plenty of options available. You may have just needed some more guidance.
Concur with the statement kids tend to hang with others like them. How often did you seek out people of different cultures/races/backgrounds? or did you just expect the University to solve that? This is a common mistake in my opinion that many people make w the government, too. If you want a broader cultural experience, reach out and make it happen. Join clubs or activities or classes which are predominantly a certain race or culture. I am sure you won’t find that the institution PREVENTS you from doing so.
Yes, UVA has a lot of preppy sorority girls. That is only one of many populations there. Students have great experiences in Greek life and being independent of Greek life. The challenee at UVA as with any large university is figuring out how to find your niche, a place you fit in. There are so many options, but you do have to be the one to choose the direction.
As for professors being accessible or reasonable or reachable-I PROMISE you that your experience is not uncommon in large universities. Both of my non UVA kids have had similar experiences. It can be attributed to large class sizes, to faculty having outside lives/jobs/commitments, to expectations of what a college professor can/should offer being disconnected. You need support more like what you had in high school. But you are no longer in high school. Frustrating, yes, but not necessarily a sign of a defect at UVA.
I’m sorry that UVA did not work for you, that you were not able to find support to settle in. If you go to another large university, you may find much of your experience to be similar.
@charliesch My son was just accepted as an OOS transfer. Any suggestion for him on getting acclimated. How is the student body overall? Clicky? welcoming? Getting a little concerned about the housing situation? Is it hard to get on campus housing if you want it. Going down this week so hard to picture how isolates some housing is from others. According to the web site transfers go to weed or Lanberth.
I suggest a transfer should live on grounds during their first year at UVa, unless they already have a well-established group of friends who will be UVa who they will be living with (such as students transferring with them from another college). A couple of the more social places include Brown College and the International Residential College (which has a nice mix of both US and international students). Each requires an application, but I do not believe they are very competitive to get into.
I appreciate the honesty and candor of this letter. Yes, there will be many folks who disagree and their opinions will be 100% on-target as well…but its good to hear something this clear & simple in its outlook. Doesn’t mean the school isn’t great for many students but it’s also good to hear what some would-be students might find there. OP, what type of school are you transferring to? You sound bright and involved…you’'ll do well no matter where you land.
Here is a letter that Dean of Students Groves sent out last year urging people to not believe the hype from the landlords that students need to quickly sign a lease. I remember seeing very similar communications to students and parents from the Housing Director in previous years.
It is easier to connect to professors as you advance into upper level classes. Also, I’ve heard professors in the past complain that no one comes to see them during their office hours except to complain about a grade or when they are panicking before a final. The professors are required to hold office hours- so feel free to use that opportunity to get to know them.
I agree w Charliesch that if possible, live on grounds first year there. The residential colleges do offer an interesting option but while getting in to them is not impossible, availability is not guaranteed. For a student new to the university, whether as a transfer or as a first year, I strongly suggest joining a club or team or two-find some activity to be part of. There are soooo many options. Also, seriously consider signing up for a COAR summer outdoor adventure experience. They are a couple of days and a lot of fun and folks often find the friends they make there are some who become their regular college buddies.
Every year, the Parent’s Handbook is distributed to every incoming family, and is available online. For many years it has urged students and parents to not believe the hype that housing decisions for 2nd year must be made in the first months of first year.
