UCLA vs UVA

College Search & Selection
1

Hi guys, I am really torn between attending UVA and UCLA and the deadline for statement of intents is coming up in a couple weeks, and I would really appreciate any feedback I could get, especially from students or locals in LA or Charlottesville, that would help me decide where to go. Here is some stuff to consider.
-I am undeclared, but I am most likely to major in economics, political sciences, or a combination of the two. I am looking for an economics department with an environment that is stimulating but not super cutthroat and ridiculously hard to maintain a good GPA in. I hope to go to graduate school, and would like to have the best shot possible at making it in to a top end graduate school, possibly at UCLA or UVA.
-In terms of employment, it may not mean much now but I’ve always wanted to live in or around New York City, and if my prospects for employment (especially in that region) could differ based on which school I go to, it could be a factor for me. It would interest me to know how often a big name business or politician comes by either school to offer a job/internship.
-I am not planning to join a fraternity, but would like to find opportunities to party with cool, welcoming people, as I have been fairly uninvolved in that in high school and it’s a big regret of mine.
-I am a pretty kind, helpful person overall who treats people with respect. I’m kind of shy at first (which I don’t like), especially around women, but once I get to know people better I like to crack jokes with them. I was wondering which school would be a better fit for my type of personality.
-I am from California, but I am fortunate enough to have tuition not be a factor in this decision. Please don’t just tell me to go to UCLA because it’s cheaper.
-UCLA is a 1 hour plane ride away from my hometown and I know several people from my school going there. UVA is 8+ hours away by plane and I do not know anyone else from my school going there. I can’t really pick up on any advantages and disadvantages of being far away from home, but if there are any big ones I’d like to know.
-I’ve always kind of wanted to go to a place with 4 distinct seasons, which UVA sort of has and UCLA does not really have. In addition, the drought in California is still a big problem and possible water rationing and economic downturn in California as results of that drought are both big concerns of mine.
-I am a huge college sports fan (especially football and basketball), and I was wondering how big of a hassle it is to get to sporting events frequently (especially getting to the Rose Bowl from the UCLA campus).
-I would like to know what dorm life is like and what off-campus apartment life is like for students at the University. I am sure I could find a good roommate at either school, but I want to consider internet service, space (to a small extent), and air conditioning in the dorms.
-I have heard the dining hall food at UCLA is really good and I’ve gotten mixed reviews about UVA food, although many have called it fairly mediocre. I’d like to know how difficult it is to get good food with a standard meal plan at each school, and (especially at UVA) how meal points are accumulated and can be used at local or on-campus cafes.
-I know LA is exciting and there’s always something going on. I was wondering if the same can be said for Charlottesville. I was there once over the summer when most students were gone and once in March. I was only really out on Sunday and Monday nights so I didn’t get a really good idea of what the social scene was like.
-I’ve heard lots of disastrous things about budget cuts at UCLA (leading to worsened facilities and excessively large classes, although their website says otherwise) and was wondering if UVA was suffering similarly and what the effects of any budget cuts could be, especially on the economics and political sciences departments at either school.
-I am a registered democrat who can best be described as liberal with a few more moderate views. I am very accepting of all walks of life and thrive in a place where diversity is at least present to a moderate degree. I am also somewhat Christian and would like to further embrace my religion in college, since my parents aren’t very thrilled about the idea of organized religion. I know that on average Southerners are more conservative and religious (for better or for worse) than Californians, but apparently this is not very noticeable in Charlottesville, which from what I’ve seen votes solidly democrat and has all sorts of people living there happily.
-I’d like to play some sort of IM sports in college.
-Lastly, Virginia is on the semester system and UCLA is on the quarter system. While this is not the most important factor to me, I prefer the idea of the semester system, because I do not particularly like the idea of 3 sets of finals and 3 sets of midterms, given my tendency to stress.

Any help is much appreciated. Sorry for the novel but I really want to make an informed decision.

Thanks a ton

2

Honestly, if u don’t have a compelling preference and money is no object, then flip a coin.

3

I can answer a lot of your questions about UVA, because my sister is a sophomore there and I have been there quite a few times. First off, If you want to live in or around NYC, UVA is the way to go.Business/Econ at UVA is better than UCLA, especially considering they have one of the highest ranked business schools in the country. Getting into McCintire is tough though, (need around a 3.7). There is a lot of greek life/partying at UVA if you want that. UVA definitely has 4 distinct seasons. The fall is quite warm for the most part, there is a cold winter, and the spring just starts to warm up (mid 70’s when the 2nd semester is ending). UCLA and UVA both are equal in sports (UCLA has better football, and UVA better Basketball). UVA has an amazing campus, but it is about 1.5-2 miles from downtown Charlottesville. Charlottesville is nice, but its not a huge town/city. LA is definitely a lot more exciting and there is a lot more going on. Area around UVA is a little quiet (for me at least). If you want more of a urban/city feeling UVA is not really gonna provide that for you.The campus is really pristine though, probably similar in standards to UCLA. UVA is not going through any of the budget issues that UCLA is going through. The classes at UVA will be significantly smaller and possibly better equipped. The 4 year grad rate at UVA is 89%, and at UCLA around 62%.

My sister currently lives off campus, and she rents a house with 3 other girls. The food is pretty decent at UVA, just like most colleges of its status.

Hope this helps.

4

Some observations: UVA has a more private school vibe and a distinct southern culture that is inescapable. It’s far less ethnically diverse than UCLA, which has a huge Asian population. As far as sports, I respectfully disagree the schools are on par. UCLA football and basketball are legendary, UVA does have rugby and basketball but I’m not sure they are equivalent nationally. UVA does have more grads in NYC, however. From the UCLA students I’ve met, UCLA has a low curve and is very competitive. But if you excel, you’ll get into a top grad school.

5

“The 4 year grad rate at UVA is 89%, and at UCLA around 62%.”

The 4 year grad rate at UVA is 86% and at UCLA around 69%.

http://collegecompletion.chronicle.com/state/#state=ny&sector=public_four

6

@rjkofnovi It changes all the time. The point still is that UVA has a far higher percentage of students graduating in 4 years.

7

Schools that have smaller/no engineering programs almost always have higher graduation rates. Still, your point is well taken that UVA does have a higher four year rate.

8

I don’t know about UVA but UCLA is really strong in those majors you mentioned in your post. UVA is closer in proximity to NYC but some how I tend to think people in NYC has heard of UCLA.
According to poets and quants top 50 feeder schools to Wall Street UVA has stronger presence than UCLA.

9

Alrlight thanks a ton guys I really appreciate it!

10

I’d pick UVA for sure. The experience of going away is amazing if you are at all inclined to do it. You will really grow, and your world will expand greatly. You’ll meet all kinds of new people and think differently about our country and its regions. At UCLA, it is predominately Californians, which is just like high school. Virginia admits 27% from out of state, so you get more geographic diversity. You will meet people right away. It is harder for sure, to fly home for vacations, but maybe you’ll get invited to someone’s home locally for long weekends. You’ll get to see how people live in the East.

UVA feels more like a private school. UCLA doesn’t have an undergrad business school, I’m not sure if Econ is in the B school or not at Va. or if that is critical to you.

The Rose Bowl is really far away, 30-60 minutes depending on traffic. People still go though. UVA’s sports are on campus. Quarter system seems really stressful to me too. I don’t understand why California is so stuck on it. We attended an accepted student day at another school with quarters, and they spent a lot of time talking about how it’s hard, but you eventually get used to it, but it can be good if you have a class you don’t like.

The only one oo your criteria that seemed UCLA was the clear winner is being in a big city.