<p>Kiplinger has come out with its 100 Best Public Values and UVA ranks #3. One notable stat is that UVA's 4-year graduation rate is 83%. No one else comes close to that except W&M. Question for current students and recent grads: Is the 83% grad rate because there are so many course offerings available or because UVA kids are just highly motivated? I've heard stories of other schools that mess with the schedule so much that the courses you often need to take aren't offered when you need them...thus, requiring an extra semester or two to graduate.</p>
<p>From my discussions with the engineering deans, UVA closely watches students' academic progress. The school has limited capacity, so the higher-ups want to make sure you graduate on time. They don't look kindly at 9 semester hours or frequent switching of majors.</p>
<p>So it sounds like there's actually an academic advisor..I think back to my college days at a midwest university. I had an advisor, but I don't think I ever saw him.</p>
<p>I don't know how it is now, but back when I was a student, there was an underlying peer pressure to graduate on time. When you're in high school, it's utterly embarrassing not to graduate in 4 years, and many UVa students have that same attitude in college. Personally, I didn't have any friends who didn't graduate in 4 years w/ the exception of those who were doing the 5 year bachelors + masters program. Plus, I knew people who thought they were all that because they graduated in less than 4 years.</p>
<p>Also, if you look at the 6-year graduation rate, UVA's rate jumps up to 92% - the highest among all public schools. Only William & Mary and UVa has a graduation rate in the 90's.</p>
<p>When I see those 6 year graduation rates, it makes me think kids just don't want to leave. After all the good things I've read about UVA, that might be tempting.:-)</p>
<p>In engineering at UVa, you need the permission from a dean to take fewer than 15 credits. My son, who is in his third year, is looking forward to a very light eighth (or last) semester, and he's double-majoring! </p>
<p>But, in actuality, his experience is normal. He plots his own curriculum, with a limited input from advisors and counselors. </p>
<p>Of course, the e-school makes it virtually impossible to do a semester overseas. There is a prescribed sequence for your major courses after about the third semester in the e-school.</p>