Villanova vs. U of R, ND, UVa and VaTech

Colleges and Universities A-Z Villanova University
1

<p>Villanova is still ranked as more selective by US News rather than Most Selective, which is puzzling. It's also unclear why Villanova still ends up in the Master Northeast instead of the National Universities category. </p>

<p>Specifically, it isn't clear how Villanova's sciences program program rank vs. its business school in which the rankings are clearer and betting better.</p>

<p>How does Villanova's sciences program compare to Notre Dame, Rochester and Virginia Tech in terms of success rate in medical school acceptance? I know it's hard to compare on medical school acceptance given the culling factor that takes place, but it's a fair question to ask about how Villanova compares to Notre Dame, Rochester and Virginia Tech in the sciences/premed field.</p>

2

<p>Re:“It’s also unclear why Villanova still ends up in the Master Northeast instead of the National Universities category.”</p>

<p>Regional Universities Rankings=full range of undergrad programs and some master’s programs but few doctoral programs.</p>

<p>National University Rankings=full range of undergraduate majors, master’s, and doctoral degrees.</p>

3

<p>Yes, Villanova has tons of masters degree and law students, but few doctoral students. I actually think that is a plus - less emphasis on chasing research dollars, less time wasted on extremely narrow dissertations that no one cares about, and more emphasis on teaching and practical applications of knowledge.</p>

4

<p>villanova would be #3, above rochester and vt</p>

5

<p>I would think U Rochester is above Nova…</p>

6

<p>US News rates Rochester number 37 nationally, Notre Dame number 19, Uva number 25, Va Tech number 69 and Villanova is first in master’s northeast which is a northeast regional ranking. That regional ranking makes Villanova hard to compare to Rochester and VaTech which appear to be closer together, whereas ND and UVa appear above Villanova.</p>

7

<p>Here’s a few pros and cons for UVa vs. Villanova:</p>

<p>Villanova:</p>

<p>It is easier for second and 3rd years to get on-campus housing at Villanova</p>

<p>Villanova is closer to a major city</p>

<p>It is easier to achieve AP credit at Villanova </p>

<p>Villanova is half the size of UVa UVa has agreed to continue to increase their enrollment over the next few years to keep the Virginia Legislature happy. Some people at UVa have complained about overcrowding of facilities and difficulties getting into some classes.</p>

<p>I believe Villanova is a more supportive environment - students are less likely to fall between the cracks and have unaddressed problems</p>

<p>much smaller intro-level classes (you can compare these on the “common data sets”)</p>

<h2>Required classes in religion (not necessarily Catholic religion), philosophy and ethics. Many people would consider that a positive, but others would not want their choices limited.</h2>

<p>UVa:</p>

<p>It is a richer college, with a larger endowment per student</p>

<p>Has much larger amounts of research activity, which will interest some students </p>

<p>If you want to work or go to grad school outside of the middle atlantic US, I believe UVa has a better reputation than Villanova overall</p>

<p>UVa probably more fun, including more a partying spirit and more alcohol, separate sorority and fraternity houses (vs. Villanova has them in dorms) and fewer rules (that may certainly be a negative for parents)</p>

<p>There are interesting commercial areas and restaurants within walking distance of UVa</p>

<p>UVa has a huge medical center right next door, which is useful if you are interested in part-time jobs, internships, guest speakers etc. in preparation for a health care field </p>

<p>UVa is closer to the great outdoors, particularly if you like hiking, hunting, fishing, etc.</p>

<p>UVa has a much larger minority population and a much higher number of international students</p>

<p>Has a more prestigious law school (but that doesn’t really affect undergrads)</p>

<p>Has many more doctoral students (but that doesn’t really affect undergrads, except that the grad students teach supplemental discussion classes)</p>