Why wouldn't every resident of VA apply ED to UVA?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm curious why everyone thinks that UVA is so inexpensive for in state? Just dropped my first year engineering major off yesterday and our COA for this year is $50K+

Compared to flagship public schools in neighboring states, this is way higher.

Although I love VA schools in general and I'm thrilled to have my kid at UVA, I think the COA for in-state students overall is very disappointing as compared to public universities in other states.

Although I guess compared to many comparable privates and OOS publics, it is less expensive.

Engineering is uniquely expensive the first year at UVA. Arts and Sciences is $40k, by comparison.

Still more expensive than many in-state publics to be sure, though not entirely unprecedented. And less than half the COA of many privates.

[Anonymous]

I don't get the hype at all, but I'm from the west coast.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't get the hype at all, but I'm from the west coast.

Because it’s a great school. Virginia residents are very fortunate to have multiple solid choices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm curious why everyone thinks that UVA is so inexpensive for in state? Just dropped my first year engineering major off yesterday and our COA for this year is $50K+

Compared to flagship public schools in neighboring states, this is way higher.

Although I love VA schools in general and I'm thrilled to have my kid at UVA, I think the COA for in-state students overall is very disappointing as compared to public universities in other states.

Although I guess compared to many comparable privates and OOS publics, it is less expensive.

Engineering is uniquely expensive the first year at UVA. Arts and Sciences is $40k, by comparison.

Still more expensive than many in-state publics to be sure, though not entirely unprecedented. And less than half the COA of many privates.

My kid is a second year at UVA. Parents tend to round up COA for Arts & Sciences at 40k. Our COA is more in line with 34-36k including the more expensive dorms (Balz Dobie and Gaston).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It always surprises me how many of my kids' friends aren't interested in UVA. I think there are some kids who think it's really snobby, some kids who think it's boring (everyone goes there!), and some who think they can get into a better school. Of course, the ones who usually end up going there are those kids who think they will get into a better school. They often do end up getting offers from other schools, but once their parents realize the price difference of UVA and some of the other schools, reality kicks in. The good news is that almost every kid I know ends up loving UVA. (I don't have a kid in UVA. It's just my observation.)

This is simply not true for in state kids. It certainly wasn't for mine. There's a big difference between a top 10 private and UVA. Once a kid realizes, and it's pretty obvious, that realistically they're not getting into Harvard, Yale, Stanford, etc., a smart in state kid doesn't bother applying to them and doesn't really consider other private universities because they're clearly not so much better that they justify the price. Of course, the calculation is different for out of state kids.

I had three kids who were qualified enough to get into UVA. Two were very mainstream -- smart, cute, funny, popular and nice -- and were the type who could fit in anywhere. Those two both went to UVA and loved it. The other just knew it wasn't a fit, and we didn't disagree. Never applied, got into William & Mary instead, and ended up at a very good liberal arts college that offered lots of merit aid. Without the aid she would have gone to W&M and would have been just fine.

We weren't a family who obsessed over colleges. We didn't approach the process like a kid choosing a spouse, which so many DCUM families seem to do. There are plenty of fits, not just one. But if you live in VA, are smart but not quite Ivy material, and aren't a complete weirdo it makes very little sense to look too far beyond UVA, William & Mary, or Virginia Tech.

I was with you but the “cute” part? Come on. gross.
(And I have a kid at UVA)

It most definately makes sense to look beyond that if you want a Smaller school and many majors. I'm not sending my kid to UVA for engineering, especially if they'd prefer a school with only 4-8K undergrads (that also means VaTech is out). those 3 are great schools and yes if you don't have the finances for privates, then consider ED to one of them. But there are plenty of privates where you can get what your kid wants and get merit. My kid had CWRU only costing ~$40-45K/year a few years ago . Much better experience for them than any of those 3, and for basically the same cost.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because my kid chose an Ivy. Wanted a smaller school; more resources.

+1 my kid didn’t want to stay in VA and the in-state schools were back ups.

+1

[Anonymous]

UVA was our DDs first choice. I think applying ED gave her an edge, as her SAT score was a bit lower than the average admit. In-state tuition is no bargain, but for the quality and prestige, it is well worth it.

She knew we could not afford fancy privates, so EDing to UVA was the smart choice for her.

She will live in her sorority house this year, so her room and board will be much cheaper than last year.

Also, that two hour drive drive from NOVA is super convenient.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm curious why everyone thinks that UVA is so inexpensive for in state? Just dropped my first year engineering major off yesterday and our COA for this year is $50K+

Compared to flagship public schools in neighboring states, this is way higher.

Although I love VA schools in general and I'm thrilled to have my kid at UVA, I think the COA for in-state students overall is very disappointing as compared to public universities in other states.

Although I guess compared to many comparable privates and OOS publics, it is less expensive.

Engineering is uniquely expensive the first year at UVA. Arts and Sciences is $40k, by comparison.

Still more expensive than many in-state publics to be sure, though not entirely unprecedented. And less than half the COA of many privates.

My kid is a second year at UVA. Parents tend to round up COA for Arts & Sciences at 40k. Our COA is more in line with 34-36k including the more expensive dorms (Balz Dobie and Gaston).

It’s just the stated COA on UVA’s website ($40,468).

https://sfs.virginia.edu/financial-aid-new-applicants/financial-aid-basics/estimated-undergraduate-cost-attendance-2025-2026

It will of course always vary across student, based on living situation and indirect expenses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Gosh I hope my kid doesn't go to UVA. I want him to experience life beyond Virginia. College is the perfect time to go beyond your comfort zone.

+1. Arlington Public Schools sent around 100 kids the year my daughter graduated. She didn't want to see those folks on a regular basis and feel like she was back in high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gosh I hope my kid doesn't go to UVA. I want him to experience life beyond Virginia. College is the perfect time to go beyond your comfort zone.

+1. Arlington Public Schools sent around 100 kids the year my daughter graduated. She didn't want to see those folks on a regular basis and feel like she was back in high school.

Oh the horror! You know, she doesn't have to talk to anyone she doesn't want to.

[Anonymous]

And of those 100, how many did she actually know? And of 17,000 students the chances of seeing anyone on a regular basis is small unless you want to. It's ok to not want to go to UVA, but that's a very weak reason.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's such a prestigious school and a great, affordable education IF you can get in in-state. Why wouldn't every VA res shoot their shot ED unless they're hell bent on spending more money?

There is too much shooting on or around campus. It’s not safe anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm curious why everyone thinks that UVA is so inexpensive for in state? Just dropped my first year engineering major off yesterday and our COA for this year is $50K+

Compared to flagship public schools in neighboring states, this is way higher.

Although I love VA schools in general and am thrilled to have my child at UVA, I think the COA for in-state students is overall very disappointing compared to public universities in other states.

Although I guess compared to many comparable privates and OOS publics, it is less expensive.

Because many of the other private schools cost around $90,000 per year all-in. Same with some of the top-rated universities out-of-state. Many of the top SLACs and other top universities don't provide significant financial support to donut-hole families . UVA, William & Mary, VA Tech, and other VA schools are almost half as much. A lot of kids apply, thinking they will get merit because they are top students at their schools, but these schools are full of top students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And of those 100, how many did she actually know? And of 17,000 students the chances of seeing anyone on a regular basis is small unless you want to. It's ok to not want to go to UVA, but that's a very weak reason.

Yea, this. Are you saying she went to,
say, Yorktown and decided not to go to UVA because she might run into another student there who went to, say, Wakefield? She couldn’t pick a Wakefield kid out of a line up.

Such a stupid response.

[Anonymous]

Because not everyone in VA is a striver or the crazy lady that wants UVA to accept everyone instate that wants to attend.