<p>To me, UVA is kind of a state-private hybrid: they do some research and give some preference to in-staters, but they have an acceptance rate of which many quality private schools would be proud.</p>
<p>And for a flagship… it really isn’t a big school.</p>
<p>UW-Madison, by comparison, is heavy into research and strength of faculty/academics… but is not so tough in admissions.</p>
<p>(So UW lets in some kids who don’t really belong at an academically strong school, giving them a chance… but then you end up with a slew of dropouts.)</p>