<p>I'm a High School Junior and have my eyes set on a career in medicine. UVA is definitely one of the universities I'd love to attend. </p>
<p>Does anyone know what pre-med at UVA is like? Is it harder, easier, than other universities of UVA's standards/prestige? Also what about grade inflation/deflation, what classes are like, and if it is hard to maintain a high (>3.7 GPA)?</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>It depends on how smart you are and how hard you’re willing to work once you get here. The intro classes are designed to weed kids out, but that’s how it’ll work at any other university. I don’t have a lot of information on the intro classes because I tested out of them. Compared to other schools I don’t really know where we stand; you may get some edge going to UVa over some place like Duke where the class is, on average, of a higher caliber.</p>
<p>What about advising? And how are the classes in terms of size? Will the professor personally know me? (letters of recommendation) </p>
<p>Thank you for your answer!</p>
<p>All the intro classes are going to be huge (my bio lab lecture is 600 people) so it’s going to be hard to get to know the professor. It’s going to be like that at all colleges. I would say that for biology at least, the tests for the intro classes are a lot harder than other schools. I looked at my friend’s bio test from William and Mary (known for being rough) and I could easily answer them compared to the biology tests here. It does come down to how much work you’re willing to put in and how smart you are. Don’t expect easy As in the sciences, but to be honest, the humanities here are pretty easy As from what I’ve experienced and from what my friends have said.</p>
<p>If you have the ability, there are some more “accelerated” versions of intro chem classes that are not as large as the regular intro chem classes. The accelerated versions are designed for science majors and typically get the best profs. If you get a 4 or 5 on the chem AP test, you can get college credit for the intro classes and then take these accelerated first-year versions and labs for additional college credit.</p>
<p>In larger intro levels the professor won’t know you, but you probably don’t want them writing your letters of recommendation anyway. In smaller, upper level classes you’ll have the chance, but it’s still up to you to seek them out and have them get to know you.</p>
<p>I think our advising’s good, but I’ve never utilized it before. Advising’s somewhat overrated if you’re well informed about the process.</p>
<p>This is just personal opinion, but you shouldn’t make your decision about college based purely (or majorly) on the pre-medical environment. Most colleges of this caliber are going to be tough, but they’re fun too.</p>
<p>Note: W&M has guaranteed acceptance programs with VCU and EVMS where if you obtain a certain GPA they must accept you. Just something to keep in mind if you are that interested.</p>