<p>Look, you can find something about every school that SOMEONE isn't going to like. Of course, what one person doesn't like is what another thrills over. So, here's the book on UVA.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Prestige: UVA is very prestigious in the South and Middle Atlantic. Beyond that, it basically has very little brand recognition. From New York north on the East Coast, prestige tends to be centered on the Ivies and a few other schools residents there might have heard of (Stanford and Duke, for instance). Lack of prestige outside those regions may or may not be important to you.</p></li>
<li><p>Culture: Make no mistake about it, UVA is a southern school. Though the single largest contingent of students is from Northern Virginia (NOVA), and those students tend to be cosmopolitan with parental roots from all over the country, there are enough strongly southern influences and traditions that many who are not from the South may feel a bit uncomfortable. Or they may not, depending upon how much culture matters to them. Overall, the school is conservative to very conservative, though as in any large school, there is a contingent of liberals. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>This is not to say that there are not many out-of-state students. Approximately 1/3 of UVA students come from out of state, primarily from Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey (IIRC). The out-of-state students generally have academic credentials that are much more impressive than the Virginians (though not always, of course). This leads to some minor friction between in-state and out-of-state students.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Class distinctions: Despite being a public school, UVA is overwhelmingly upper-middle-class and/or downright wealthy. UVA has one of the lowest numbers of kids eligible for Pell Grants in the entire country. The administration is trying to fix this, but the nature of the school and the way they view admissions makes that difficult. As a result, UVA is overwhelmingly preppy in its clothing and its approach to life. Those without much money may feel a bit left out there.</p></li>
<li><p>Class distinctions II: Virginia is an old state, and the family from which one hails can matter there. Certain fraternities (and perhaps to a lesser degree some sororities) will not consider you if you are not from the right family, the right region, the right skin color, the right amount of money, etc. On the other hand, other fraternities and sororities are very inclusive.</p></li>
<li><p>Race/class distinctions: UVA does a better job of graduating African-American students than any other school in the country. But relations among the races at UVA are not good. They are cordial and polite, no doubt, but there is little or no interaction. I have met an unusually large number of AAs who disliked their experiences there.</p></li>
<li><p>Fraternities/sororities: UVA has a very large Greek scene. As a result, there is a large contingent of students who, shall we say, are not very focused on their studies. That appeals to some people and turns others off. You do not have to be a Greek to have a social life (especially if you are female). Basically, the Greek scene leads to a rowdiness that appeals to some and not to others.</p></li>
<li><p>The Honor Code: There was a time when UVA's Honor Code was one of its chief selling points. Basically, students agree not to lie, cheat, or steal, or tolerate anyone who does. Older alums tell me that they used to be able to leave valuable property pretty much anywhere for days on end and then retrieve it with no fear that it might have been stolen. Cheating was supposed to have been nonexistent or extremely rare. Younger alums now tell me that, while the Honor Code is not dead, it is substantially weakened.</p></li>
<li><p>General friendliness: UVA students appear to be generally friendly and helpful. This may not apply so much across race/class distinctions. Northerners often mistake Virginian politeness and reserve for snobbery or unfriendliness.</p></li>
<li><p>Teacher/faculty interaction: UVA is one of the few public schools of its size that has maintained a focus on teaching undergraduates. This makes it very attractive to undergrads (as it should). This is changing a bit as the school grows and as pressures on faculty to produce research results and publish increases, but it is still a good place for undergrads to get to know their professors who, more often than not, treat learning as a collaborative experience and undergrads as more than just another nuisance.</p></li>
<li><p>Sports: Some people like schools with big-time sports programs. Others dislike those schools. Make no mistake, UVA is a jock school in its focus on football, basketball, lacrosse, baseball, and several other competitive sports teams.</p></li>
<li><p>Architecture: The Lawn/Range area is simply stunning, and is a UN World Heritage site, which puts it in the same category as the Versailles and the Taj Mahal. In 1976, American architects voted this areas as the greatest architectural achievement of the past 200 years. The rest of the architecture on the "Grounds" is of mixed quality. The campus is large. If you have trouble walking, other places may be better for you. </p></li>
<li><p>Charlottesville: Charlottesville is among the best of college towns. The surrounding area is heaven for history buffs, and there are many, many outdoor activities nearby. The surrounding area is full of pristine farms, horse breeders, and the like. Major cities are distant. Richmond (if you can call it a major city) is 60 miles east.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Anything else you want to know? Something I've missed, maybe?</p>