<p>Popular perception of university quality tends to be based on admissions selectivity, or the academic credentials of the worst students who can get admitted to the school. VT’s frosh profile indicates a significantly lower range of GPA, test scores, and rank compared to UVA, so popular perception based on that considers VT the “lesser” school.</p>
<p>Virginia State U, Kentucky State U and Tennessee State U for example are the legacy of Jim Crow segregation in the South. Those schools were created to keep African-Americans from enrolling at their individual state flagship universities, which they really couldn’t legally do anyway. Obviously, the Jim Crow state legislatures designed those schools to be inferior to the segregated state flagship college. When you think about it, the public HBCUs have accomplished much today, considering where they started out. Though clearly they do not have the assets of the state flagships.</p>
<p>Ucbalumnus, you need to attend a UVA-VaTech football game in Charlottesville and sit in the stands next to a Hokie fan. But not too close, or you’ll get hit with multiple verbal barbs and the occasional half empty cup of soda. LOL. That’s when you’ll discover that UVA students’ opinion of VaTech isn’t all based on admission stats.</p>
<p>Then again, here’s a joke broadcast over the PA system at a game in Charlottesville years ago. “There’s a car in the parking lot that left it’s lights on. We know the owner is a Hokie, license plate number 'SAT 500.”</p>
<p>Most of the UVa -Virginia Tech stuff is overblown, mostly good natured. Lots of kids have friends at each school. When bad things happened at VT in 2007, the UVa community was very supportive (one of my kids was at UVa at the time). My other kid went to VT. The main thing is the student body. Yes, the AVERAGE SAT is higher at UVa but many of the VT engineers have very good SAT’s. The student body is just different. In general, the VT student is more laid back (again, just a generality). Some kids that could get into UVa just prefer the atmosphere at VT. Officially, it is Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University so that is where the "“state” comes in.</p>
<p>sevmom is right. This rivalry is largely overblown. Many families who have been in Va a few generations have ties to both UVa and VT (raises hand and smiles). I’ve been to many Thanksgiving weekend UVa/VT games and have never had a soda tossed at me, or seen one tossed at anyone else. I’m always sitting in a large group with a mix of VT and UVa spiritwear. Fun and games wagers between friends now and then, but perfectly harmless. </p>
<p>Everyone I know recognizes VT engineering as very strong. They also see that UVa engineering is a completely different approach. It’s apples and oranges. One is generally going to fit a student better. Where students fit they thrive. I know several students currently in both programs. All are doing well, have great opportunities, and all respect their peers from hs at the other school.</p>
<p>People want to build up this huge rivalry, division, between students, alumni, and fans of each school. I’m a native and from my little world I just don’t see it.</p>