I was admitted to UVA early action and it is definitely one of my top schools. I am hoping to pursue a pre-vet track with a major in biology. I was wondering if current students would say it is manageable to keep a high GPA at UVA? Do professors ever grade on a bell curve/downward curve?
Having a high GPA (probably above 3.5, 4.0 is ideal) is important for veterinary school admissions.
Thank you.
Hi, Adbout. I have two First Year sons who were strong but not brilliant high school students; conscientious and hardworking, but little chance of winning the science fair or selling their first start-up by 17. Both have done very well at UVA — worst grade was an A- — in a wide range of classes including Calculus 2, intro to computer programming, and commerce. Their roommates, friends from high school, are also doing well in their pre-med and kinesiology studies. And all are involved in a solid mix of clubs and sports and attending more than their fair share of basketball and football games. If you follow the traditional advice — attend class, do the reading, go to discussion, see the professor or TA if confused, take practice exams, and review your notes often — you’ll likely do well, too. My guys haven’t had a lot of luck enrolling in courses that employ a curve, but I do believe some of the very intense STEM courses have been known to use them.
Thank you so much! This is great advice. It’s great to know that UVA students are able to balance academics with extracurriculars and social activities. I’m going to visit UVA next week; I hope I like it!
I’m just most worried about OOS tuition, so I’m hoping I can find some scholarships or something like that.
Thanks again.
I understand completely. We’re in-state but we’re still mindful of the cost (times two). And as much as I enjoyed UVA as a law student, and my sons enjoy it now, I will share with you that for undergrad I attended a far less prestigious state flagship university on a full scholarship, had a terrific time, did exceptionally well academically, and won an outside scholarship that paid for half of UVA Law. Lots of students on College Confidentisl are, in my view, too focused on the top twenty schools and disregard state flagship schools where strong students can really stand out, forge excellent relationships with professors, have an expansive choice re majors and classes (my school had over 40,000 students), and then go on to a prestigious grad school program with their finances in tact.
But, to stick with your question, UVA is a wonderful place to go to school: great college town, Division I athletics, exceptional professors and students, fun rivalries, mountains / orchards / historical sites within easy reach, great eateries and 600 student clubs and organizations that run the gamut from blacksmithing to spikeball to Club Survivor at UVA to archery, not to mention the more typical newspapers, journals, club sports, academic clubs and societies, comedy and improv group, and acapella and performing groups of all kinds. And despite the preppy / frat image that gets tossed around, my guys bought their first Vineyard Vines shirt just last year and manage an active social life even though they don’t drink (unless their parents are buying drinks that contain tropical fruits on vacation).
Good luck to you!!
It also depends on the person. I was one of those people that didn’t need to study especially hard in high school to do well, and when I came to UVA, the adjustment hit me pretty hard. Finding the balance between academics, extracurriculars, and social life is easier for some and more difficult for others. First year for me was a lot of learning both inside and outside the classroom, and now as a second-year, I’ve been able to establish that balance. I’m currently on the pre-med track, and if I maintain this pace of progress, I will finish with a GPA well within the range needed to apply to med school. My advice is to determine what works and what doesn’t work when you study with what time you have left in high school (in addition to going to class, doing the readings, attending office hours, and all the other obvious stuff).
seaotter17- great, thanks for the input! I am expecting it will take some time for me to adjust to college life but it’s good to know you were able to figure it out within your first year.
2kidstocollege - again, thanks for all the advice! I am definitely considering the flagship public schools in my state. Also, it’s good to hear that your kids enjoy UVA despite not drinking because I don’t like to drink either and this was a concern of mine as UVA is sort of known as a party school.
Pretty much every place my sons applied and were accepted to had a strong party culture. The advice I’d offer there is go to your dorm’s initial freshmen events, attend the school’s freshman gatherings the first couple of weeks of class, and go to your school’s Fall activity fair, sign up for more information from any group that interests you, check out a meeting or two, and then continue with the ones that are most enjoyable. I don’t want to get too specific about my Hoos’ lives on CC, but both are writing for a school publication, one is in a comedy performing group, both play a club sport, one is involved in a filmmaking club, and both are members of a club devoted to sci fi / fantasy films. And be open to random opportunities. One club, it turned out, had a strong contingent that liked strategy game nights and amusement parks. So do my guys. Bonus. One club did have a strong party bent, but my sons continued with the sport and soon found a subgroup of athletes who did not drink and who volunteer coach a local kids team in their sport, and now they are volunteering with the kids team, too. And there’s always athletic events to attend and sushi and food truck dumplings to find. You just need to go out, meet people and find your scene. At any school.