<p>Will somebody please address the strength of UVA's music programs, both instrumental and vocal instruction and opportunities for extracurricular participation? D is trying to choose among these schools and this will be a factor. </p>
<p>Also, compare study of IR/government at each, and on-campus "feel." D is from NY state, has travelled a lot and is interested in a dynamic and diverse environment. What say you?</p>
<p>Also, can anybody talk about the riding team at UVa? Not polo, the hunter jumper team. We've seen the Barracks and it looks like they've got nice horses but would like to hear from someone who knows...Thanks for any insights.</p>
<p>lol well cosmo - if ur daughter wants to actually do music in college as a serious thing i would run from uva.</p>
<p>the music department is very small - and it doesn't even offer a minor. I considered doubling in music and history - until i realized that almost 1/3 of the credits for music u have to take are 1 or 2 credit performance classes - which require much much more work (time consuming work at least) than even the most strenuous of majors. although i will say - from the music courses i have taken, the professors are very good and extremely chill. If ur daughter just wants ec music activities there are plenty. But the more serious she is - the much steeper the competition. instrumental stuff isn't that plentiful - so generally only the best make it. Same for vocals - there are a plethera of a capella groups yet only the very very best make them.</p>
<p>i don't know anything about the government department or the ir department but i'm sure being in the vicinity of dc helps - i would venture to say the highest proportion of students go to dc after graduation for work. I do know tufts is supposed to have one of if not hte best IR programs in the country though.</p>
<p>campus wise, ive been to all 3 schools, spent a few days at each, and have partied at each. honestly uva offers a much better social life from what ive seen if your daughter likes to have fun. however, if she's not a wild child, i know uva does and i would only assume that all 3 schools offer the same 1,000,000 clubs and orginazations that every college has ranging from college republicans to the bob barker appreciation society.</p>
<p>I'm from northern jersey - and i am pretty well travelled - while uva is "diverse" numbers wise it is extremely segregated. I don't really care that much about racial diversity, so it doesn't bother me, but if ur daughter does she may want to look elsewhere. However, I do find that there are many people from different backgrounds and that is what makes them dynamic and diverse - not the color of their skin. </p>
<p>i have absolutely no idea about the riding team - and i bet few on this board will - u'll probably have to do ur own research.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot Jags. D will not major/minor in music, just wanted to continue to study and play and sing, probably accapella or small group. However, from what you've said, it sounds as tho it may be difficult to join the orchestra/various choirs? When you refer to music faculty, do you mean instrumental instructors? Hoping the violin performance faculty are as good as symphony professional she plays with in upstate NY.</p>
<p>Thanks esp for your impressions of life style. You did not say if you like UVa and if you think you made a good choice. I'd be interested in your opinion on that. What is your major?</p>
<p>I took a 300 level music class with a violin player as the professor. During the class we performed several pieces - which he played along with us. While violin isn't my forte, I will say that he could play circles around anyone I've ever seen - even the best of the music majors at the school. I have no doubt that the professors at the music department will be able to instruct her at a level higher than she is well through her 4 years.</p>
<p>If your daughter is very proficient, I would expect her to make the orchestra - don't get me wrong, the UVa orchestra is extremely good - but its not going to be curtis caliber you know? </p>
<p>I know of several student run a capella groups. In high school my sister was in an a capella group that won some sort of national award for the cd's they made. Also, she sang at the All State level for new jersey. She couldn't make any of the a capella groups at UVa. Basicly, as long as your daughter is very good she should be able to make a group of sorts. Also remember, even if she doesn't make a group you can take private 1 on 1 lessons on basicly any instrument for about $400 a semester.</p>
<p>I'm a history major - and I'm going to probably grab a minor somewhere. I'm just finishing my 2nd year and I'll only need 3 classes to finish my major. I love the history department and while i will admit there are your fair share of nerds in it - i couldn't be happier with my choice. the professors and the quality of instruction is phenominal.</p>
<p>As for my feeling about the lifestyle at UVa...I couldn't be happier. While I feel I initially applied and had UVa as my first choice because my sister had 4 years here before I arrived - and therefore i was very familiar with the school - I do realize now that I couldn't be happier anywhere else. If I know someone who I like - and they are choosing between UVa and any other school, I will always endorse it over the other school. In my opinion, no school offers a social life like UVa does coupled with the quality of academics. When I was a senior I was choosing between UVa, cornell, and gtown - I havn't looked back or 2nd guessed myself once.</p>
<p>Jags: are you is or oos? D is from NY, wondering about transplanting to Va. Charlottesville is so beautiful, as is the campus, so I think she'd love that. Is there a "southern" ambiance and can a new york liberal feel at home there? Also, do you find you can get advising when you need it or are you a bit lost in the crowd? Impressive that you've already nearly completed your major; forget the minor and go for a 2d!</p>
<p>cosmo-</p>
<p>i'm from new jersey - right outside of manhattan and right near giants stadium. </p>
<p>From the perspective that you and I have, there definately is a southern feeling - however it is nothing like what you'll get at a school like UGA, Vandy, or W&L. In short, you definately can feel at home being from the north.</p>
<p>Advising wise, you can get as much or as little as you want. While I feel this will be at any school you choose to attend - its up to what you want. Some of my friends go to their advisors all the time. Some have seen them the bare minimum. Personally, I saw my premajor advisor the one required time and never saw her again. When I got my major advisor - who I had taken 2 classes with already - I saw her about 2 or 3 times during my 2nd year. If you wish to go more, you are certainly welcome, but in general no one is going to hold you hand unless you make some sort of effort to show them that you want hand holding.</p>
<p>Cosmopolitan,</p>
<p>Re. UVA's Riding Team, I didn't know this but apparently it's the University's most successful athletic program. It's won more titles than any other sport, but I can't seem to find its site online - only this Cavalier Daily article. </p>