<p>I more than agree with that wahoomb. Anyways, I’ve always visited during a break or during the summer. I look forward to visiting when school is in session so I see the “buzz”. I don’t think I’m going to step into the admissions office and say hello to Dean J and Dean Merav. They’re super busy right now. Well, maybe a quick hello :), but you know what I mean.</p>
<p>For engineering, Va tech is much more known than UVa. For example, I know that NASA has hired a ton of Va Tech grads (when they were hiring) for work at Langley. For other majors, UVa along with W&M are the gold standards in VA.</p>
<p>People talk as if the differences between Virginia Tech Engineering and UVA engineering were great. They’re not. VA Tech engineering is not MIT, Cornell, Caltech, Stanford, Berkeley, Michigan, or the likes. The difference is there, but it’s rather small.</p>
<p>hats off to all of you! to UVAor bust~ go for it! if you want any info re. my d’s experience, feel free to PM me. good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks happycollegemom!</p>
<p>you’re welcome…WAHOOWA!</p>
<p>I am a graduate of Illinois Engineering, one of those top 5-10 engineering schools in the nation that the OP mentioned. Some of its reputation is based upon the size and breadth of its program and the huge amount of research that has been going on for decades. Also, the caliber of students is excellent (e.g., the selection criteria vary by “school” and Engineering is easily tops there).</p>
<p>With all that, for an undergraduate, many schools are very similar and excellent students can get excellent results at any of them, as long as they fit in based on other factors … and luck. To me, there is little or no reason to try for that last push for (say) Cal Tech, which is more focused on certain areas and even more competitive. </p>
<p>Even at a school such as UVA, where Engineering is nowhere near its prime focus (after all, that is one of the purposes of Tech, just as NC State does relative to Carolina and Purdue does relative to Indiana), a solid program at a generally excellent school is still worth serious consideration. It’s hard to go wrong.</p>
<p>Does anyone know when Days on the Lawn will be this year?</p>
<p>The April schedule for daily tours notes 4/8, 4/11, 4/18, & 4/22 as ‘Days on the Lawn’. A friend is going to Monticello during April and I wanted to encourage them to tour the Grounds so I checked. Generally Dean J will make a note on her blog encouraging prospective applicants to visit on other days if at all possible as these are very busy and intended for undecided accepted students. I believe one or two are specifically for Echols/Rodman Scholars. Please don’t quote me on the last part for 2011 as Dean J hasn’t specified, but that was the case in 2010. I would just watch the blog, or perhaps contact the admissions office if you need to know right away.</p>
<p>NOTE: This is a link to the April 2011 tour schedule where Days on the Lawn are noted:</p>
<p><a href=“https://virginia-uga.edu.185r.net/Event/page2.php?y=2011&m=4&d=1&s=&e=2&fromcal=1[/url]”>https://virginia-uga.edu.185r.net/Event/page2.php?y=2011&m=4&d=1&s=&e=2&fromcal=1</a></p>
<p>When I visited UVA I walked the grounds with my parents and family. Lets just say I was drooling more than CavDog…</p>
<p>You’re so funny, UVAorBust. I know how you feel. UVa was the only school I applied to. I’m glad that worked out. ;)</p>
<p>I wish you luck! Being a Wahoo will follow you the rest of your life.</p>
<p>Thanks Globalist - the love UVA alumni holds for the university is one of the reasons I want to attend the school. Heck, my dads boss is constantly traveling back to UVA to attend events - 40 years after his graduation…</p>
<p>Hmmm…I wonder if I know your dad’s boss. I go back at least once a year for alumni meetings and events. Plus, it helps that the UVa community is so active and strong in NYC. Even when I reach out to alumni at other companies, who I’ve never spoken to before, they’ve all been willing to meet with me and give me the scoop on their company – what it’s like to work there, how to get in the door. Personally, I’ve helped a bunch of alums get jobs where I work. We’re a tight bunch.</p>
<p>I’ve visited twice from NY and did Monroe Society. Amazing experience for anyone who wants to see what it feels like to be a student at UVA.</p>
<p>UVA is a top school because it is UVA, need I say more? ;)</p>
<p>I came back to the Grounds every year in the last 20 years or so for events, games, etc. My awesome experience at UVa kept bringing me back to UVa and reaching out to support younger Hoos. I don’t have another college experience to compare with, but I would venture to guess that UVa must be pretty close to the top!!</p>
<p>I agree with the other alums. I love UVA! I always go to “La Gala”, which is an event for new latino admitted students and alums always go and we have many activities throughout the day. And even though I’m in CA, I’m considering flying all the way to Charlottesville for it. Any chance I have to go to UVA, I take it!</p>
<p>I just read the past few alumni posts so i’ll chime in my two cents :)</p>
<p>I actually haven’t been back since July. Yeah yeah, soo long. Why? I’m too scared I’m going to physically lose it haha! I love UVa to death, I love knowing that part of the reason I’m doing so well in the real world is due to the education/experience at UVa. It makes me sad I’m not a part of that world anymore, that world in which I grew so much and experienced so much. Life goes on though and every time I look at my right hand, I feel joy in knowing UVa helped get me to this happy, happy place in life. Being in NoVa, I’m always running into UVa people and instantly bond with Wahoos I didn’t even know before and I’m quite satisfied. I feel like Charlottesville just isn’t the same anymore, I’m part of that alumni group now. But, the lessons/connections/life from UVa continues everyday, so I don’t feel the urge to go back down all the time. Although, I bought a Foxfield ticket though, so I’m going back whether I like it or not! 
</p>
<p>Just a side note: every college experience changes everyone. I don’t think it has to do with where you went, but more with what you made of the time in college. Once you leave, you’re a different person due to you, not the school. Wherever any of you attend, you’ll feel like this one day…promise
Remember: It doesn’t matter where you’ve been, as long as it was deep (for the older crowd on here ;))</p>
<p>That last paragraph was deep shoebox. When I went on my cruise, I was actually suprised by how many older people said hello to be because I was wearing UVA apparel. Before I got onto the boat, one of the police officers said “Wahoowa”. It didn’t even hit me until I remembered I had on my UVA hoodie lol.</p>
<p>I fell for a guy because he was a Wahoo <em>bbbblllluuusssssshhhhhhh</em></p>
<p>Correction: I figured he was a decent, smart guy because he was a Wahoo. It helped push me over the edge to talk to him…</p>