<p>I was recently accepted to UVA (OOS) :). Can someone who is either an OOS current student or alumnus let me know about their experience at UVa? Was the contrast between the number of Virginians to OOS overbearing? Did it take away from your experience at all?</p>
<p>Also, this goes for everyone, but how is the reputation of UVa in Virginia? Do Virginians consider it a strong school? How is the reputation of UVa nationally?</p>
<p>Well it’s the strongest state school, nobody doubts that. I don’t think most Virginians consider it quite as elite as OOS folks do, for whatever reason. Maybe because it’s supposedly so much harder to get into out of state.</p>
<p>I’m an in-state student, but I’ve heard a lot of my OOS friends talk about their experiences. The main factor for them seems to be that they simply don’t know as many people when they reach Grounds. This makes them feel out of place for a little while since they have no friends (or a select few) who have decided to come. When people tend to rely on their old friends for a little at the beginning of the year they feel out of place. Eventually new friendships form though and the OOS students really seem to enjoy being able to reinvent themselves. When you’re an in-state student and you have 30 kids come here from your high school you don’t really get to remake yourself as much. There will always be people who knew you before and who have solid opinions on your personality regardless of how much you’ve changed. Those are the major things that my friends have mentioned though and is by no means a comprehensive list (obviously).</p>
<p>Our D is an OOS, and she said once she entered the dorm on the first day, it was hard to tell who was IS and who wasn’t. Everyone’s eager to start this new phase in their lives and put HS behind them. Plus, UVA is large enough, and VA has so many high schools, that it’s all new for the IS kids as well.</p>
<p>S is OOS and absolutely loves it. The IS/OOS split is 2/3 to 1/3 which is actually a much better ratio than other state schools. He has met people from all over. UVA is know nationally as a top notch school. Good Luck to you.</p>
<p>OOS alum from New England…I went knowing only one person at the school and have never regretted it. If you visited and liked the vibe of what you saw, you’ll like it. There is plenty of headroom for even the brightest of students, and so many opportunities to expand your comfort zone in terms of social and extracurricular interests. UVa people love their school, and that feeling of warmth and love continues through your four years as a student and throughout your life. It’s a lifelong bond.</p>