<p>Hi everyone, I'm trying to decide between UVa and Notre Dame in these final weeks and I'd love some input from people that are familiar with the schools. I'm looking to study business, but I also really like social sciences and enjoy government, public policy, psychology, international relations, etc. I've been selected as an Echols Scholar at UVa but I'm not sure how much weight that actually holds or how it really makes student life different. I like the size of Notre Dame and that there are no frats/sororities. I guess the large size and the Greek system are the major turnoffs for me about UVa. Does UVa feel like a large school though, and just how pervasive is Greek life? What does Greek life really mean for everyone else on the campus anyways? Can you get a feeling of community without being in a fraternity/sorority? What is it like for Echols Scholars? How are government/international relations classes? Any insight would be much appreciated! (lolz so many questions :P)</p>
<p>Echols will free you from pre-reqs and enable you to register early. Two huge factors for some people - it will allow you to get into and take classes you are interested in, not ones you have to take. You also live with other Echols Scholars during your first year.</p>
<p>UVA is small for a state university at around 13K undergrads. Grounds is pretty small and tight-knit in my opinion, and it definitely feels smaller than it is. </p>
<p>Do NOT let the Greek system be the reason you turn away from UVA. Because about 1 in 3 students is Greek, this may seem intimidating. However, what this actually means is that there are a wide variety of people in Greek life. The good news is that because 2/3 of students are not Greek, you won’t HAVE to do it if you don’t want to. There’s more than enough stuff to do on Grounds and in Cville for non-Greeks.</p>
<p>Where are you from? Are you religious? Are there any cost differences between ND/UVA?</p>
<p>I’m from Virginia and I’m not particularly religious. I have yet to hear from UVA regarding financial aid, so I’m not sure if it’s going to come down to that or not.</p>
<p>I was just looking at student ratings of professors and courses in the UVa Politics and International Relations programs. They were generally very high.</p>
<p>You might also look at the UVa Batten School of Public Policy, which now has a program for a 4 year bachelors, in addition to a joint bachelors/masters.</p>
<p>What is your financial situation at ND? UVA in-state is much cheaper than ND so if you are going to have to take out loans that could be a factor.</p>
<p>If you can swing Notre Dame financially, I would definitely do that. We are Virginians, but traveled up to South Bend to see ND. It’s truly amazing - everything they do is top-notch. The facilities, the buildings, the people, everything. We are not Catholic, but loved the peaceful feeling we got there.</p>
<p>I haven’t had a kid go to UVA, but from what I’ve heard, they are lacking in many facilities and TA’s do teach some classes. They are under tight budget constraints and I hear it’s obvious in many areas. If you’re in-state that is ok, since it’s relatively cheap. Echols will give you a leg-up on many things and is something you should definitely consider. However, ND doesn’t have budget issues and they seem to do everything well. We loved the dorm system instead of Greek. From our point of view, Greek life at UVA is everywhere…at least freshman and sophomore years. After that, it subsides.</p>
<p>Anyway, ND is the choice if you can do it.</p>
<p>Notre Dame has given me close to a full ride - within a few thousand short depending on how much travel will cost. UVa has not given me a response yet but I’m not sure what to be expecting in terms of their aid. I’ve heard that public institutions are really subpar with their aid, but obviously the sticker price is significantly lower. At this point financials aren’t really the issue unless UVa doesn’t really give me any aid at all. I’m basically looking at the schools for their own merit right now.</p>
<p>As a first year at UVA, I have never had a TA teach a class. TA’s lead discussion sections for large lectures, but that’s about it. Graduate students do teach language classes, but I’ve never been disappointed with the quality of their teaching skills and have always found them very relatable.</p>
<p>I’m also an Echols Scholar, and while I did rush sororities and received a bid, I chose not to pledge. I did not feel like I needed membership in a sorority in order to feel included, or to create a small community in this semi-large school. I’ve found the Echols community wonderful for planning events and making friends, and am involved in an intramural sports team. My social life has definitely not been hindered by my lack of Greek membership, because my friends and I always find something to do on the Corner or at another club’s event. UVA’s amazing residential colleges might be a good option for you as well.</p>
<p>I’m premed, so I can’t speak to the IR/Business aspects.</p>
<p>From what I’ve heard, in addition to languages, grad students also teach some 1st year math classes and a couple intro econ sections. However,it appears to me that all other classes are taught by profs.</p>
<p>I don’t think there is a college in the country that hasn’t had reductions in faculty (mainly by attrition) and other cutbacks in recent years. Even Yale had to make major cutbacks in spending. It sounds like UVa is planning on hiring a number of new professors - that is a priority of President Sullivan.</p>
<p>Just because a TA is teaching doesn’t mean that it is of lower quality. I’ve had TAs that taught BETTER than professors.</p>
<p>I’m a government major and I absolutely adore my classes and professors. I’ve had large lectures and small seminars. As someone else mentioned, TAs facilitate discussion and grade assignments, but professors have taught all of my classes.</p>
<p>I’m involved in Greek life, but I don’t think it’s overwhelming. For me, it helped shrink the school, and as a transfer I didn’t want to be wandering around lost for weeks since I didn’t have an entire class of people in the same boat. Still, there is plenty to do without going Greek. UVA has something like 700 clubs for students, and those organizations become your social circles in a lot of cases.</p>
<p>I know you didn’t ask this, but I hope you don’t factor the fact that UVA has a fairly active Greek system too heavily. You’re in high school, and fraternities and sororities are not really like they’re depicted in TV shows and movies, and it can be a great way to get involved.</p>
<p>Good luck with your decision!</p>
<p>were you enrolled at uv or nd? What is your advice if I want to study business / finance? Thanks</p>
<p>Anncollege - It’s hard when you pull up a thread over six months old, that said many posters in this thread are still active. Search is your friend (top right of forum). There have been many threads discussing UVa and ND. It may give you a better frame of reference to start your own thread after reading some of the previous threads. </p>
<p>One significant thing to note at UVa is a ‘finance/business’ degree is only earned through the McIntire School of Commerce, a competitive entry two year program in third and forth year. During first and second years aspiring McIntire students are commonly referred to as pre-Comm and must complete a series of prerequisite courses to apply second year. This is a highly ranked, competitive entry program. You have to weigh the risk/benefit of taking a chance on getting a McIntire admit your third year vs a direct admit to a business/finance program at another school. If you were not accepted to McIntire is there another major, Econ perhaps, that you’d be happy studying? Any program that’s not a direct admit takes consideration. I believe Mendoza is a direct admit (please correct me if I’m wrong).</p>