<p>As a prospective applicant from Texas, I am genuinely wondering what Virginia's campus is like as a whole before dropping the money to fly out and visit. After visiting UT various times, my impression of the campus as a whole was pretty negative. I didn't get a good sense of community, and the party scene seemed pretty prevalent - not a bad thing, but not quite a good thing either.</p>
<p>Some background info: I am interested in double majoring in Finance and Economics. I understand that Virginia requires 52 core hours. Do any UVA CCers have any remarks on this as a better or more negative experience?</p>
<p>As for the atmosphere, there is definitely a community feel around the grounds (we don’t call it a campus here). You see a ton of clubs advertising events, and everyone always seems happy. There is a big party atmosphere come the weekend, so take that as you will. </p>
<p>I don’t know much about double majoring though, as I’m only a first year (we don’t say freshman here either). </p>
<p>Feel free to pm me if you have any other questions!</p>
<p>Here is how finance/“commerce” works at UVA:
You apply and get admitted to the major based on grades and other factors from your first two years at UVA. Your 3rd year you have a 12 credit required block of classes each semester I believe called “ice” so you won’t have much time for other classes. Your 4th year you finish up classes so you have a bit more flexibility for electives but most people choose to use them in the commerce school to complete their concentration and not in the college of arts and sciences. So in this sense if you are admitted for commerce you probably won’t major in economics also.
For economics, if you don’t get admitted to the commerce school you could major in that and pick up a minor in another discipline area or take more electives in the college of arts and sciences.</p>
<p>UT and UVA are very, very different. We’re from TX, and our D didn’t even apply to UT (only applied to one school in-state). She didn’t visit UVA until accepted student’s day. UVA is in a college town (similar to A&M but much more fun than College Station). Charlottesville has lots of great restaurants, historical sites, and outdoor activities galore. (Apple picking at Carter’s Mountain is my favorite…can’t do that in TX! ) The grounds and architecture are breathtaking – there’s no prettier school, IMO, and we visited plenty. The weather is something that really appealed to our D. The mountains surrounding UVA make the fall incredible, and the dogwoods are glorious in the spring. The vibe of UVA was another thing she loved. You have the entrenched traditions (secret societies, singing the “Good Old Song” arm-in-arm at the games, streaking the lawn, and EVERYTHING Jefferson). There’s a list of 113 things every UVA kid must do before graduating – check it out for more traditions. The Greek scene is active at UVA too, and the majority of students are preppy; however, keep in mind 2/3 of the students aren’t Greek so if that’s not your thing, you’re not alone. There are several kids from TX at UVA, and the TX alumni group is fantastic. They even coordinated a meet-and-greet specifically for TX kids when my D was a first year. If you can’t visit, here’s how I’d describe the school in TX terms: beauty of SMU but prettier, IMO; traditions of A&M but more varied, Greek scene of UT, student body looks a lot like SMU’s or TCU’s, academic prowess of UT Honors except its the whole school.</p>
<p>UVA is a tough admit for OOS students, but if you’re competitive you should try. Our D is now a 4th year and told me just last weekend choosing UVA was one if the best decisions she’s made. Good luck!</p>
<p>U.Va. is fantastic. I came here based on financials (I’m in state so it’s cheaper), but I could not have selected a better place to have gone to college. I’m only a little over half way done, but these have been the most formative years of my life. I definitely would not be the person I am today without the University, and for that I am indebted.</p>
<p>Double majoring is very feasible especially if you come in with a lot of credit. Economics/Commerce is the most common double major within the Commerce School.</p>
<p>Rush doesn’t favor Virginians. Rush is predicated on networking and connections, which you would expect to give Virginians a leg up since they know more people who matriculate at U.Va. That being said, I have seen girls who knew half the sorority not get a bid and an out of state student who didn’t know anyone before Rush get a bid. Rush is inherently subjective so I wouldn’t put too much stock into word of mouth.</p>
<p>I have to echo everything jc40 typed. Our Texas D is a first year @ UVa. UT was the only Texas school she applied to, and while she loved Austin, the bigness of UT, the party reputation and the whole fanatically competitive sorority scene frankly scared her. After her initial UVA grounds tour, she was hooked. Hooked by the beauty, the history and oh the appeal of those secret societies. She’s just wrapped up week 7, and spent the weekend with Virginia girls for fall break – the kids from Virginia have been accepting and friendly. As a parent, that warms my heart. There are lots of Texas kids, but not so many it feels like high school. Plenty of clubs and social events for everybody I would think. Best of luck to you.</p>
<p>I’m guessing that students will find some fraternities and some sororities that are full of sheltered spoiled arrogant students, and many others that are full of laid back down to earth people. There is plenty of diversity. If you don’t like the first couple you visit, just keep walking.</p>
<p>Just like finding a school, the right greek org is all about fit. What may seem like sheltered spoiled arrogant students to one may feel like life long friends to another. What may seem like laid back kids who fit you perfectly may seem like the most boring group on grounds to another. I do not adhere to the idea that the character, or climate, of the greek org has anything to do with where it is (i.e. what side of beta bridge). Organizations come, they go, and they do move. ;)</p>
<p>Delayed rush, which I happen to like, gives students a chance to form their own opinions about groups as opposed to going on second hand generalizations, stereotypes, or worse yet some type of ‘ranking’. One size does not fit all.</p>
My d is a third year oos from Texas. She had no trouble with pledging a sorority. The sororities don’t want everyone to be from Virginia, and they are all quite nice, so try not to read the “rankings.” They interact with each other, and my d has had a fantastic experience. School is hard, but it’s worth it.
) The grounds and architecture are breathtaking – there’s no prettier school, IMO, and we visited plenty. The weather is something that really appealed to our D. The mountains surrounding UVA make the fall incredible, and the dogwoods are glorious in the spring. The vibe of UVA was another thing she loved. You have the entrenched traditions (secret societies, singing the “Good Old Song” arm-in-arm at the games, streaking the lawn, and EVERYTHING Jefferson). There’s a list of 113 things every UVA kid must do before graduating – check it out for more traditions. The Greek scene is active at UVA too, and the majority of students are preppy; however, keep in mind 2/3 of the students aren’t Greek so if that’s not your thing, you’re not alone. There are several kids from TX at UVA, and the TX alumni group is fantastic. They even coordinated a meet-and-greet specifically for TX kids when my D was a first year. If you can’t visit, here’s how I’d describe the school in TX terms: beauty of SMU but prettier, IMO; traditions of A&M but more varied, Greek scene of UT, student body looks a lot like SMU’s or TCU’s, academic prowess of UT Honors except its the whole school.</p>