<p>This might be a silly question, but while I was looking over the housing website after everyone talking about new dorms v. old dorms I came across a "what to bring and what not to bring" list. On the what to bring list it included a bike. I really like the idea of having a bike on campus but I was just wondering if it's a common thing for people to bring them and also if there are bike shelters where people can lock up their bikes if it's raining. Can someone a current UVa student give me their opinion? Thanks!</p>
<p>There are plenty of bike racks around Grounds, but I'm not certain about the number of covered racks.</p>
<p>Well, I always thought it was a pretty short drive to C-ville from Keswick but I guess it's longer than 10 minutes. Anyways, I was talking more along the lines of being able to drive up to visit my mother and friends in New York over a long weekend. I've been thinking about it more and it would be far cheaper to not have to pay insurance, gas, maintenance, etc. and just rent a car...yeah.</p>
<p>However, is there a policy on motorcycles at UVa? My dad use to ride one to classes and up in the mountains for fun. I'm sure he'd be fine with me getting a motorcycle and I think it would be great to have in C-ville due to parking restraints...What do you guys think?</p>
<p>P.S. I understand that first-years can't get cars but do motorcyles count...? I use to ride my bicycle around for about 10 years and sometimes I had to ride 20 miles roundtrip just to get to work. I've become what you might say "over bikes"...lol</p>
<p>jask, I think it's better to come to school without a vehicle and feel out the system for a semester or two before deciding the bring one. Motorcycles need parking spaces just as cars do and I don't think you'll be able to get a space without some finagling. </p>
<p>I'm from the NYC area originally and it is a 7-9 hour drive (more if you hit traffic on Rt. 66, the DC beltway, and on the NJ Turnpike, which is likely). You probably will not want to go home on long weekends because you'll be spending about two of the days on the road.</p>
<p>Again, come to college without a vehicle. Explore Charlottesville and all that it has to offer, then decide if you want to head out on the weekends. Many students think they'll head out to visit friends or family on the weekend, but they wind up sticking around because there's a lot going on in this little city!</p>
<p>When I was a first year (1980-81), we were allowed to have a car second semester. I brought mine, but really didn't need it. It was expensive and inconvenient to park. I never needed it during the week because I could walk everywhere. On weekends, it wasn't safe to drive at night (the drinking age was 18 back then) and during the day I was usually studying or doing something on grounds. </p>
<p>After first year, depending on where you choose to live, a car is quite handy for hitting laundry mats and grocery stores and the parking is usually free.</p>
<p>The University and city buses are really good, too.</p>
<p>1) How are the people at UVA? The people are great! Although caucasions are the majority, I still believe UVA is a diverse school. Just walk to and from class, and you'll see people from almost every background/race. I also have friends who are from many diverse backgrounds. Go to the dining hall, and you'll see people from all different backgrounds eating together. Of course, you'll see some people who stick with their groups, but not everyone is like that. </p>
<p>2) What is the social scene like? Is there pressure to live up to the frat boy/sorority girl scene? Do Gucci and Prada really dominate the atmosphere?
The social scene is also great! There is always something to do! I do not believe there is pressure to live up to the frat/sorority scene. If that's your thing, then great. If not, then that's great too. Thus far, the only real time, frats/sororities really dominated the conversation was during bid/pledge week, and that was not too bad. Also, you don't have to be in a frat/sorority to get into there parties. If the greek life is not your thing, then that's totally fine.
Gucci and prada do not really dominate the atmosphere. You're going to see people wearing those brands, and then you are going to see many who don't.</p>
<p>3) How are the sports? Are the teams well-supported, stadiums packed, etc?
UVA has great spirit!! For home football games, the stadiums are usually pretty packed. Basketball tickets are hard to come by.</p>
<p>4) Dorms, food, etc. What's it like? I'm not expecting heaven, but on a scale of 1-10, how is it?
I live in new dorms and I love it! I have friends who live in old dorms and they love it! To each their own. Personally, I love new dorms because of the common area and we have bigger rooms. The common area is a great place to study and mingle with your other suitemates. Also, I have developed close bonds with almost all of my suitemates and the suite next to me. It's a really nice atmosphere so I'd give new dorms a 10.
The food is good. The first month or so, I loved the food, because it was different. But, after a while, you get used to it. They do have a variety of foods in case you want something healthy, etc. For example, there is a sandwich line, stir fry, and a salad bar line. I'd give the food a 7/10
5) How is downtown Charlottesville? Is it a good college town?
Downtown charlottesville is awesome! Sometimes on the weekends, my friends and I will venture downtown and check out the mall or other stores! Charlottessville is a great college town! "the corner" and Barracks are main UVA student hotspots where you can study, drink coffee, and shop!</p>
<p>7) Any other comments, etc. And, what's your favorite thing about UVA? On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your experience (name your home state, if possible please). My favorite thing about UVA is the classes....the professors....the people....the atmosphere....the social scene...wait that's more than one thing! I love UVA in general. Academics at UVA is challenging and the social scene is booming. It's like the best of both worlds. I also love the traditions at UVA and just going to study on the lawn. I give my experience thus far a 9.5/10</p>
<p>I feel like I'm starting to repeat myself in responses, but to put it simply, I think you and I are very similar, learnmestuff. I went to HS with a 35% white population, 32+ countries represented, 30% of students on free or discounted lunches, lots of diversity in my various groups of friends, best friend was black, lived in the suburbs, etc.....
and I LOVE UVa. </p>
<p>All these things you mention are feelings or notions I had my first year here, but as I came into my second year, and particularly now in my third, I realized that these notions, while valid and reasonable, particularly for someone coming from such an integrated (and more intimate, HS being a much smaller population) background, things aren't really as the seem or appear to be. </p>
<p>Relationships and associations in college are much more like those you'll have in the real world, in your adult life, compared to that of your childhood. At college, wherever you go, it's going to be about interests, friends of friends/networking, and random/chance encounters that determine who or what type of people you might hang out with. For example, I hang out with a bunch of band kids because I played in the CMB and there is a wide variety of types of people there. I'm an RA and have met several different individuals through the ResStaff program whose company I enjoy. I have friends from HS that are in various groups (Thai Student Organization, Sikh Student Association, Black Voices, a capella groups, fraternities and sororities, people I've met in class, people from my dorm, the list goes on). Your interests will drive what you do and who you meet.</p>
<p>To answer your second question simply: No.</p>
<p>Your third: yes and could be better. We have a very strong athletic program across the board. Every sport has days where the stadium/arena/gym/etc. is packed, and those that are not (the popular ones like football and basketball, too). I personally go to every football, basketball, soccer game, and as many volleyball and lacrosse games that I can fit in. Students are free to every UVa home sporting event, the only trick is basketball where you have to participate in a very easy lottery system that awards tickets based on dedication (attendance). </p>
<p>The dorms are pretty cool, honestly. Old Dorms and New Dorms both have distinct feels to them but I haven't hear anyone in my three years complain about being in one or the other. Hereford, well it has its pluses and minuses. Old Dorms is significantly more "open" primarily because of the physical orientation of the buildings. I find it to be the ideal college experience where you live on a hall of 20 or so people, providing a chance to meet many different individuals, but in not such as intimate scenario as a suit so that if you don't particularly enjoy someone on your hall, you don't get the feeling that you are stuck with them like I've had friends feel in New Dorms. Also, you can access any other part of the building just by living in it, so there are typically 5 other halls, as well as a whole other building attached that provides for a plethora of opportunities to meet people and make friends. </p>
<p>Dining hall food is rather "eh," but I have a fairly exotic palate relative to most of my friends. One thing about UVa Dining that I will say is that I absolutely love The Crossroads (three prepared food sections: a grill, sbarro, and sandwich/panini/wrap place) as well as "mini" mart, and the coffee and smoothie stops all around grounds. I hit at least one of these places daily. </p>
<p>Downtown Cville is great. Some students go all the time, some never go, some go on occasion. There are plenty of restaurants as well as other attractions (skate rink, a mall to walk and shop on, late night stops, spots for live music). There is bound to be something of interest for everyone. </p>
<p>I am amazed everyday about the involvement, support, and enthusiasm of graduated UVa students. You see them around grounds all the time, and you benefit from their generous donations. I've also heard and seen nothing but great networking advantages from UVa alumni concerning life after graduation.</p>
<p>UVa students love UVa. UVa Factuly loves UVa. UVa Alums love UVa. UVa employees love UVa. Living here and going to school now for almost three years I still see the enthusiasm everyone around me has for our school and for each other, I can't imagine being anywhere where you don't get this kind of vibe and culture in an academic setting.<br>
- One thing I also want to note. How many schools can get big name public figures to come talk to students at their schools? Last year we had a Supreme Court Justice, Samuel Alito and this year, potential Democrat nominee for the presidential election, Hillary Clinton (Obama also visited Charlottesville in the fall, but it wasn't a University-specific event). It's so much fun to see people like that at your school. (I saw Tiki Barber last fall, and my friend say Katie Couric on the Lawn last year!)</p>
<p>The story of where Wahoo came from is debated. The Athletic department says that we were referred to as "a bunch of wahoos" in a sporting even some years ago, and the name kinda caught on as we began to use it for a chant and identifying with it. So yeah, it's mainly a sport thing, more fun and energetic than cavalier. You'll find people using it all the time though; for example sometimes when I walk up to friends I say "hey wahoo."</p>
<p>... and that was a way too wordy and long post, if you read it I hope it helps. </p>
<p>tldr: 1) nah don't worry about it, you'll realize things here are pretty cool when it comes to all that. 2) it's tons of fun with areas for all types of people, greek is definitely there and something worth experiencing, but not for everyone (30% greek). 3) great sports, enthusiastic fans. 4) Great dorms, lots of food options, some better than others. 5) decent. 6) awesome Alumni. 7) can't go wrong with UVa</p>
<p>is there a large population of rednecks at uva? i understand they'll be there but will it be a really big population?</p>
<p>You're a moron and a bigot, masrith. Why would there be rednecks at UVA? Because it's in the SOUTH? Do you think that Princeton is full of guidos?</p>
<p>
[Quote]
is there a large population of rednecks at uva? i understand they'll be there but will it be a really big population?
[/Quote]
If you're honestly that stupid you really don't deserve to go there.</p>
<p>masrit, there are southern students here at UVA, if that's what you mean by "redneck". Most of the southern kids come from GA and TN, with NC coming a close second.</p>
<p>by redneck i don't mean poor, ignorant, stupid, any of that. i apologize. i mean the people you see in riding in trucks with a confederate flag bumper sticker on the back, hunt a lot, watch nascar, ect. i live in southern va. most people i know here consider themselves rednecks and are proud of it, and i like them as people but sometimes i get tired of the culture. i've lived here all my life so i know what i'm talking about. another way to say my original question would be to ask if the overall vibe of UVA lean more to the southern part of va or to the DC area?</p>
<p>I feel sorry for you masrith, you sort of walked into a buzz saw!
Most of the people lean towards the DC snapshot of being. Remember, about 30-35% people are OOS, so you'll meet all walks of life.
You'll experience some of the rural southern element in the surrounding areas of CVL, folks dressed in camouflage, and the nascar element. Though, I haven't seen that in the student body, per se, but of course there are southern students here.
So to answer your initial questions>>no and no.</p>
<p>haha...rednecks at UVa... </p>
<p>I like the way powderpuff so eloquently conveys the fact that NO, YOU WON'T FIND REDNECKS AT AN ELITE UNIVERSITY.</p>
<p>Geez o man....</p>
<p>lol thanks powderpuff.</p>
<p>You're welcome masrith; I'm glad you have a sense of humor! Best of luck with the admissions process.</p>
<p>Oh please, southern doesn't mean "redneck". Yes, there are plenty of southerners here, but they don't drive around in F350 supercabs on sky-jackers blaring Hank Jr with a fat lip o' Skoal Long-Cut Wintergreen. You need to get out more.</p>
<p>Hey, what kind of traditions do they have at UVA?</p>
<p>Since Thomas Jefferson is soooooo revered at UVA, it all revolves around his initial plans for his university. There's the Rotunda, the Lawn, the Honor Code, the Secret Societies. The students don't call the school "a campus">>it's referred to as "Mr. Jefferson's Grounds" or just "the Grounds".
They don't say Freshman, sophomore.... because Mr. Jefferson's view on learning was that it's a progression that continues through life>>therefore at UVA they say 1st year, 2nd year...etc>>and continues until one dies. People here respect these old Jeffersonian aspects of the University.
Also, it is said that students don't call PhD teaching staff "Dr." out of respect for Mr. Jefferson, who did not have a PhD. Only true physicians are called "Doctor" on the Grounds--supposedly. I just call all the professors>>"professors". I don't think anyone really gives this great thought, but it is somewhere in the UVA stuff.
That's just the tip of the iceberg.</p>