<p>I visited UVA on a Saturday morning and I think that was a mistake. There was no one around and I didn't really get a sense for the campus vibe. I've been reading a few other similar threads but they haven't answered everything.</p>
<p>I'm from the northern midwest. We are stereotypically naive, etc. but also very nice and everything. While I know the south is known for its hospitality, I'm wondering how life would be different at UVA.</p>
<p>I think that adjusting might actually be a good thing for me: it's a big part of college. I know someone who lived near me who is a first year at UVA and her mom said that it took "some adjusting" but she likes it. I fear that I'll get to UVA, which seems so great on paper, and I will need to adjust but instead just freak out.</p>
<p>When I visited and when I ask certain people, I always get the same "well UVA is a large university and you don't have to follow the norms" speech, which I'm sure is true. But what are the norms? What will I have to get used to? What is UVA like (besides academically, I know it's tops)?</p>
<p>Maybe I'm jumping the gun, I'm not even into UVA yet, but I want to have some background if the decision presents itself in the spring. Thanks.</p>
<p>Maybe it would help if you explained what you think your college experience will be like (how the people act, etc) and we can confirm or deny things typical UVA students do (though, again, like you've heard, this is a medium-large state school so there really is no 'typical' student). I mean, college takes getting used to in general (living with a large number of other teenagers with no parents), it's very different than high school and it's hard to know what it will be like until you get there and live it. You just have to be the kind of person who is willing to embrace that, give it a shot, and make the best of things when you miss how things were. Everyone misses how things were at some point. But college generally turns out to be better. :D</p>
<p>I had an adjustment time as well, but just as hazelorb says, I think every student entering college goes through the same thing. That's normal. Not to be homesick, or a little scared, a little lost is not normal. After about 2-4 weeks, CVL starts to become your home; ah!
When you visited on a Saturday morning, I'm sure most kids were still asleep. There is a study hard/party hard element to UVA. During the week and weekend days though, EVERYONE (that I know) studies VERY hard--in a good way. For the most part, almost all the students here are good students who take great pride in doing their best and excelling. It's a bit competitive, but that's to be expected at any top tier university.
From my point of view, and I'm just gonna be honest, please everyone out there, don't hammer me for this answer. Aside from academics, I think that UVA is fairly preppy, if not very preppy (but I like it that way). The student population, IMO, is unusually good-looking. My Mom asks me all the time why?--and if UVA requested photos? (which they don't). There's a strong Northern Virginia element to the kids, which brings that DC smarts of politics, and sophistication. Then there are some kids from rural VA that bring the down-home southern gentile spirit. About 30% of the kids are OOS and they add the refreshing sprinkle of diversity so that one knows that they are at a diverse, world class university. People are friendly and enjoy the football games, parties out on Rugby Rd. at the frat houses, the Corner (shops and stuff close to UVA). Girls dress up for FB games in dresses and pearls; the guys wear ties and preppy shorts or golf pants. There's usually tons of pre-game partying on Mr. Jefferson's Lawn and in the parking lots! Wahoowa!! UVA students are smart, sophisticated, stylish, and fun.
CVL also has a whole other part of town called "Downtown" that has all these shops and restaurants in a protected walking area that is really cool, and not related to the university. It's beautiful and brings in a neat different culture than the University.
Lastly, CVL is gorgeous: the history, the "Academical Village", the Lawn, the mountains, the collanades (sp?).
It's a great place and I'm so glad to be here!</p>
<p>When you say preppy, do you mean like polos and nice jeans or sundresses all the time? Or both? I'd call myself preppy so I don't really mind, I was just kind of thrown off. My friend told me I would be "so cute" at UVA and I think I might agree.</p>
<p>I really liked UVA when I visited, it seemed really full of tradition and spirit along with great academics, which is what I want. I just got second thoughts when I heard first hand about a girl who had to make a lot of changes. I guess another good question would be what kind of adjustments did you have to make? I'm sure they're all for the better though!</p>
<p>CVL is Charlottesville. OOS=out of state.
Preppy, according to me, means both polos, jeans, and dresses.
Oh gosh, I know so much what you mean by "so cute"! I'm gonna take so much heat on this >>but I'm cute too!! (Death will soon follow-nice sort of knowing you).
This girl you wrote about sounds like someone who is having difficulty adjusting. That happens everywhere, but not too commonly. Most folks at UVA fit in just fine, but nearly everyone needs their adjustment period.</p>
<p>uva is extremely preppy. people dress up for football games, and they seriously look like they walked out of a j.crew catalogue. </p>
<p>at the same time, there are also diverse groups. you'd be pleasantly surprised. even though uva is notorious for tradition, preppiness, and pastel polos, i think it's possible to find your niche (not easy, but doable).</p>
<p>the main thing is that i don't really want to find a niche. i consider myself pretty preppy, esp. for my surroundings/school. those are the type of people i'd probably fit in with, i just wasn't sure how extreme it was. thanks everyone.</p>
<p>I'm still adjusting. It's nice to have a holiday breather right now. I'm very happy in C'ville. Everyone needs time to adjust, it's what has to happen.</p>
<p>From what you describe, you'll definitely be at home at UVA. I'm a prep monster and love it. I am the southern girl in a designer dress, pearls. As the weather got colder, I pulled out the designer boots and jackets.
I know it sounds cheap and superficial. Heck. I yam what I yam.<br>
If you are as preppy as I think you are, you'll love it here!!</p>
<p>i guess you can consider this:
i live in brown college, well known for housing the 'alternative' kids (aka dorks, art/music freaks, general odd balls)
i am the treasurer of the anime club and my roommate is the president of the sci fi club (psi phi at uva... lollll)
i'm the hugest dork ever
and i still dress up for football games
my point was: uva is pretty preppy, but it's really kind of fun; and i didn't think it was very hard to find my niche (but then again i did my research beforehand and knew i wanted to live in brown and join dork clubs, where all of my friends have pretty much come from). i think with over 500 clubs, it is very easy to find a group of people you get along well with. you just have to be up for trying, like i said. plus, don't close off new options: make sure to try something new every year, you'll appreciate the new friends you get out of it. lots of first year girls close themselves off to new friends really early on (they find a group of girls and form a cluster) and i think it's too bad for them because they could be meeting a lot of great people.
on the other hand some/most of my friends make fun of me for dressing up to go to games, and i'm trying to start a trend of wearing pajamas around grounds (i wore nothing but pj bottoms for the last 2 weeks of the semester, it was amazingly fun).
uva is really what you're willing to make it. my favorite thing is that no matter how my interests change, i know there is a group of people at uva who will like what i like. :)</p>
<p>if you want cultural diversity (since many people complain that uva is really, um, well not diverse) you should room at the IRC (the internationals dorm). they really have just about any nationality there. americans are accepted too. according to my friend, an irc resident, it's the "best" dorm, and has the best food (which is great, because uva from what i've heard has awful food).</p>