Stayed at UVA (Class 2015):Important Info!

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Virginia
1

<p>Hello everybody! I will be attending UVA next year!!! And I recently stayed at UVA for three days! I experienced some interesting things, and had a GREAT time overall!! Here they are:</p>

<p>People:
First and foremost are the people at UVA. They are really nice, forget what you heard about them being snobby. Sure there may be some ( I didn't bump into any) but there's some everywhere. Everyone will wait and hold the door open for you, even if you are far away, if you ask them a question they are happy to help you out no matter what. Very awesome people!</p>

<p>Dorms:
There are two different types of dorm styles that you can pick. I did not know this coming into UVA. There are the traditional dorms with just you and your roommate. But then theres another setup. In the other setup you share your dorm with 5 other people. The good thing about this is you get your own room. The bad thing is you are leaving with 5 other people and the chances of you getting along with everybody is more slim, then just one person. Also these dorms are farther down, and the people in the traditional dorms say that you miss out on the social aspect, however the people living in the 6-way dorms say that this is not true and they have a blast. Another plus for 6-way dorms is that they have central air, which the traditional dorms do not. And let me tell you, they get HOT!</p>

<p>Classes:
At first looking at UVA I was thinking that the classes are way to big for me. I like getting to know my professors, I don't want to feel like a number. I was able to sit in one class, and it had 200 students. This seems like a lot, however the way the class room is set up, it really doesn't feel like you are surrounded by 200 people. And the people who go to UVA are just like you and I. Don't worry about the uber smart person who is a genius. Sure there are some around, but most people are the same people you went to high school with. Everyone wants to have fun, yet make good grades! </p>

<p>Diversity:
Looking at the statistics for UVA, one might think that they diversity could be a little better. However, from my experience I saw every race imaginable. It felt like a melting pot, sure you may see more Asians then you are used too, but they chill just like everybody else. </p>

<p>Parties/Nightlife:
Okay so this is for the students, I know the parents are skeptical, but its college and people should have some fun while working hard! There are numerous parties at UVA, sometimes they are EASY to get into, and sometimes your name has to be on the list. I recommend that you make friends and are social, because if not, more then likely you will not be attending some fun parties. The buses pick up the students, and yes you will see a bunch of drunk people on the bus, but let me tell you they are hilarious. UVA makes sure everyone gets back safe! Which is GREAT!</p>

<p>Athletic Center:
The athletic center is huge! Its great having a huge gym at your disposal. They have weights, treadmills, basketball courts, track, pretty much everything. They also had an amazing pool which is great because I was the captain on my swim team, and also the biggest spa on the east coast!!! It is GREAT. </p>

<p>I hope you all enjoy this, because it took me forever to write. LOL if you have any questions feel free to ask, and I will try my best to answer. </p>

<p>Ps. If there are any miss-spelled words or grammatical errors I apologize, was trying to write this quickly!
Thanks!!</p>

2

<p>Re: dorms…students no longer get to provide/rank their dorm preferences. The exception is if you apply to one of the residential colleges. You may get to give a preference for a single or a double, but that might be it.</p>

3

<p>Is that so wahoo? I thought dorm selection was done in a lottery style way. I really want a hall dorm or Brown…</p>

<p>Anyways, great post red.</p>

4

<p>Previously you could rank your preference for a dorm “area” like Alderman Rd. or McCormick Rd, etc…but there have historically been problems with student self-segregation, so they stopped doing that in favor of a more “random” process. If you want a single, you’ll most likely end up in Gooch/Dillard since that is where the bulk of those rooms exist. Getting into Brown would require a separate housing application from the normal first-year housing application.</p>

5

<p>The housing office still says you can still give a preference for a housing type, but they don’t promise you’ll get it. All the choices cost the same for first year.</p>

<p>There are a few more housing types, as described on the housing website. There are brand new dorms, some of which are 6 stories tall. I’m told the newest dorms have gone back to a hallway arrangement. </p>

<p>Gooch used to be upper class but shifted to 1st year.</p>

6

<p>Yes, I agree great post! S1 and 2 both give this exact description of UVA. </p>

<p>Last years housing form allowed you to give your number one preference.</p>

7

<p>I just looked at the updated housing website for this year. You cannot choose a housing type at all for the incoming first year - such as Alderman vs. McCormick.</p>

<p>You can apply for a residential college, which will have a set location. </p>

<p>Also, as noted above, people who apply for a single usually get Gooch (which has groups of 6 one bedrooms). In addition there are a few singles in the hallway at McCormick).</p>

8

<p>The housing application is not up yet. Usually goes live the beginning of May. However, on the application last year you could list a preference. </p>

<p>You are correct Charlie there is no guarantee of preference, however when I spoke with housing last year they truly do take a students preference on your application into consideration. Each son got their first choice. That is not always the case though.</p>

9

<p>On First-Year Housing: [First</a> Year Housing Program Choices U.Va. Housing News](<a href=“http://uvahousing.■■■■■■■■■■■■■/2011/04/07/first-year-housing-program-choices/]First”>First Year Housing Program Choices | U.Va. Housing & Res. Life News)</p>

10

<p>If I’m stuck in a single… I would happily take a triple over all other options.</p>

11

<p>I’m going to request a single dorm haha. Although I’m a very social person, I would like my own privacy haha. </p>

<p>UVAorBust - if you get a single and I get a double/triple, let’s trade :P</p>

12

<p>UVAorBust my D is in a single this year in Gooch and LOVES it! She had heard it was harder to be social and all the disadvantages but she honestly is so thrilled she ended up in Gooch and wouldn’t have it any other way. She did request a single though so she was trying to get to Gooch.</p>

<p>Just wanted to point out that it isn’t an awful thing though I certainly understand preference for a double. As it is she has 5 fabulous suitemates and they do all get along really well.</p>

<p>And I think all the Residential Colleges have an application process so if one of those interest anyone make sure you get your application in!</p>

13

<p>My preferences:</p>

<p>1a) McCormick
1b) New hallway style/AC Alderman dorms</p>

<p>If only we had a say :(</p>

14

<p>With the old dorms, with 20 people on your hall, chances are you will like at least 10 of them. However, with Gooch, you may only get along well with 3 out of 5 suitemates. </p>

<p>Because of security card measures, it is not as easy as it used to be to socialize from one suite to another.</p>

15

<p>UVAorBust, if you’re interested in Brown, remember that you need to do their (rather quirky) application. My S lives there this year and loves it; the location is great and I was impressed with how much room and privacy each kid gets. Everybody has his or her own largish room with a closet, big window, and (nonworking) fireplace, but there are two rooms connected, so that either your “roommate” has to walk through your room to get to the bathroom, or you have to walk through his/her room to get outside. The advantage of this setup is that you sort of have a roommate and can hang out if you like; but you don’t need to be best buddies, and I imagine that if you have an, um, “overnight guest” you will not be imposing on the roommate. My S has liked the fact that there is a kitchen in Brown, because he is not crazy about institutional food, and eats at weird hours when the dining hall isn’t open.</p>

16

<p>Rather quirky indeed… here’s the application for this year: <a href=“http://www.virginia.edu/browncollege/doc/current_application.pdf[/url]”>http://www.virginia.edu/browncollege/doc/current_application.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>I <3 Brown!</p>