Transferring to UVA (not chances)

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Virginia
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<p>Recently, as of two days ago, I decided that I might want to transfer from Rice University. I am not completely sure that I will actually transfer or where I want to go, but I figured that I will apply to UVa and UNC-CH, because those were the schools that I was deciding between last year (I am currently a freshman at Rice University). So I am coming here to try and figure out exactly what my reasons are for transferring (I am hoping that by writing it, I may be able to reach some concliusion) and to see if UVa is a good fit for me. </p>

<p>My problems with Rice are with the student body and I also don't like Houston very much. I am not sure how familiar anyone else is with the residential college system, but basically first years are placed randomly in one of nine colleges where they stay affiliated/ live in for their entirety at Rice (you can also live off-campus). This is a double edged sword. On the one hand it is cool to be able to get close to all these people all at once and you have friends right away because Rice does a good job with freshman orientation, but the bad thing is is that it is hard to really become good friends with people from other colleges. It isn't impossible, but like you don't see people at the north colleges (as opposed to the South Colleges) that often because it is a good ten minute walk to their colleges. It is like the Hogwart's house system. There is rivalry (but it isn't like the Gryffindors v Slytherins type, it is just friendly competition, but everyone thinks that his or her own college is the best) between the colleges in Intramural/ college sports, in parties, etc. So Rice is already a small school (~3,000 students) and then that is further reduced to ~300-400 students within each college. The problem that I have here is that I don't feel like I have that many friends. I have one really close friend and then a whole bunch of acquiantences. This is due to the lack of selection among the college (actually my really close friend isn't even at my college, so I feel even more alone) and the culture at Rice.</p>

<p>I don't know how to put it but, I don't really fit in with the other students, because we think differently. Like there are so many Science or Engineering majors here and no one that I talk to is happy with that. And that really bothers me. Like why do people choose that major when they are unhappy. I am an academ and I love what I am studying (religious studies, which I believe UVa is very good in). It really bothers me that people lack passion here, you know what I mean? Like the academs (non Science and Engineering people) and the music majors or architects love what they are doing and they don't mind so much that they lack job security, because at least they are happy. Now I know that this isn't true for everyone. </p>

<p>The other thing that bothers me here is the division between drinkers and nondrinkers. This division doesn't actually show up until the weekends, and everyone gets a long fine during the week. But on the weekends, there is nothing to do if you don't want to drink. I don't drink and I don't want to, if other people drink that is fine with me, but I hate that there is nothing to do on the weekends besides watch a movie in the dorm. Houston is the fourth largest city in the US, yet... it sucks. Well there are definitely cool areas, and I like going to some places, but I don't have a car, and Houston is nearly impossible to get around in without a car. Another thing, students here do not leave the campus. It is ridiculous. It is like pulling-teeth trying to get my roommate to go hang out outside the dorm. I don't really get along with my roommate (personality conflicts) and I switched roommates from the one I had last semester (not personality conflicts with him, but pers. conflicts with the suite), and we are signing up for what our suites are going to be next year and I am not close enough friends with anyone here to want to live with. </p>

<p>Alright, this is really long, but now I have some questions, that hopefully someone can answer (that is, if anyone bothered to read through that entire blurb). What is the weekend atmosphere like (will I be able to find nondrinkers just to hang out with and have fun?)? How are rooms/ roommates assigned? How is the surrounding city? Are the people friendly? I hear that it is a big prep school, does prep= snob? I got into UVa last year, will that mean that I will get in again? Also, I remember my financial aid kinda sucking, is it even worse for Transfers?</p>

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<p>Ah..... Alright, that was so long, so if someone could just read and answer the last paragraph that would be great, unless you feel extra nice and really want to help me out by reading the entire thing and giving me your assesment.</p>

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<p>well if you need finacial aid because your family is poor - you'll get finacial aid. if you need finacial aid because your family is like middle-middle class and its just a huge expense...then ur s.o.l.</p>

<p>as a transfer you're either going to live in gooch/dillard or lambeth. if you live in gooch you'll get a single, if you live in lambeth you'll get a randomly assigned roommate. (the questionaire is all of 2 questions...do you go to bed early or late, or do you smoke if i recall). you'll definately want to try to live in lambeth...as gooch is way far away, and not very social from what i hear.</p>

<p>c-ville is a sweet town - its not a big city like houston - but there are like 8 or so bars right next to the school (and they are usually bumping wednesday through saturday night), and then theres a ton of great restaurants right by the school as well as within a 5 minute drive (or 10 minute trolley ride). townies are sketchy...nuff said on that.</p>

<p>there are definately snobby kids at uva - but if you're not one of them, you won't really hang out with them. its not like rice where you have only a few people to hang with...there are 13000 undergrads at uva - everyone will find a niche.</p>

<p>if you don't drink i dont know what you're weekend will be like. especially this semester...my weekend has been starting like tuesday night lol. but i guess there are things to do if you don't drink. there are about 3 or 4 movie theatres nearby. theres always comedy shows or small concerts or plays going on. i could be wrong, but i would say the vast majority of people drink heavily on weekends - don't be duped by the somewhat boring cc crowd.</p>

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<p>is financial aid for middle class really that bad? I'm applying as a transfer also and finances will be an issue...</p>

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<p>well it depends on your definition of middle class lol. I mean...i think uva guarantees to meet 100% of your tuition with grants if your within 200% of the poverty line...or like $50,000 a year. So if you're parents are middle class in the sense that they make $50,000 a year, then you'll be fine. Middle class can range to huge incomes of $300,000 a year or more. If you're parents are making bank like that, then they won't get ****. I remember my parents didn't even apply for financial aid at uva cause they knew they wouldn't get it.</p>

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<p>Applications are due at UNC and UVa by Wednesday... so I'd get crackin' if I were you.</p>

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<p>Yeah, I'm aware. I am done with the apps. Just have to call the old hs and make sure they send in a transcript and ask my counselor to resend the letter that she wrote for me last year.</p>

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<p>torrestowers, if you have any specific questions, feel free to IM me. Rice was actually one of the schools I considered last april, so this had kind of caught my attention.</p>