help me decide on Virginia Tech

[Anonymous]

Why do you like it? DD is looking at started at the business school. She prefers it over UVA (not a direct admit to business school).

[Anonymous]

If your daughter prefers it, what is your question?

[Anonymous]

You've addressed it. UVA and VT are both premier in-state schools, yet VT offers a direct admission to its business program, a feature absent at UVA. At UVA, there's a 50% chance of admission to the business program in second year. Despite this difference, both institutions provide outstanding internship and job opportunities along with excellent academic programs.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like decision already made?

[Anonymous]

We have a kid at VT, and they LOVE it.

It's a campus full of smart, but down-to-earth kids.

Our kid could have done the work at UVA just fine and earned a degree, but the social aspect would have had kid tearing their hair out, because our kid is down-to-earth and wouldn't have dealt well the snobbish UVA social culture. It's all about your kid's personality, and the right fit for them. They have to spend four years (or more) at this place. Do they like it?

At VT, your kid can be themselves, and everyone works hard. Everyone is very smart. The cadet corps on campus also instill a quite sense of responsibility and work ethic in the other students, I think.

Great school, and it's on the rise!

[Anonymous]

The cadet corps on campus also instill a quite sense of responsibility and work ethic in the other students, I think.

Meaning: your kid will have cadets in their classes. These students come in wearing their uniforms. Neat, clean, and crisp, and they come to class respectful and prepared. It raises the game for everyone else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The cadet corps on campus also instill a quite sense of responsibility and work ethic in the other students, I think.

Meaning: your kid will have cadets in their classes. These students come in wearing their uniforms. Neat, clean, and crisp, and they come to class respectful and prepared. It raises the game for everyone else.

That is awesome

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The cadet corps on campus also instill a quite sense of responsibility and work ethic in the other students, I think.

Meaning: your kid will have cadets in their classes. These students come in wearing their uniforms. Neat, clean, and crisp, and they come to class respectful and prepared. It raises the game for everyone else.

This comment seems odd to me. So no sweats and baseball caps worn backwards? No messy ponytails? Please elaborate!

[Anonymous]

Not deciding between UVA and VT but just recently went to visit VT because on paper, it checked all of our boxes:

- Big university
- Nice campus
- Strong sports program/culture

But when we went on campus, the vibe was odd. It was surprisingly quiet and low energy. My son was turned all the way off. So if you haven't, I'd say make it a priority to get on campus with your DD to see if she likes the vibe or not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not deciding between UVA and VT but just recently went to visit VT because on paper, it checked all of our boxes:

- Big university
- Nice campus
- Strong sports program/culture

But when we went on campus, the vibe was odd. It was surprisingly quiet and low energy. My son was turned all the way off. So if you haven't, I'd say make it a priority to get on campus with your DD to see if she likes the vibe or not.

Agree with this. It also feels huge, cold, and impersonal. Also, does not compete with UVA in terms of reputation, selectivity, and rankings, other than engineering. It just doesn't. No skin in the game - have just lived in Virginia forever and I'm always intrigued when people try to liken these two schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not deciding between UVA and VT but just recently went to visit VT because on paper, it checked all of our boxes:

- Big university
- Nice campus
- Strong sports program/culture

But when we went on campus, the vibe was odd. It was surprisingly quiet and low energy. My son was turned all the way off. So if you haven't, I'd say make it a priority to get on campus with your DD to see if she likes the vibe or not.

Agree with this. It also feels huge, cold, and impersonal. Also, does not compete with UVA in terms of reputation, selectivity, and rankings, other than engineering. It just doesn't. No skin in the game - have just lived in Virginia forever and I'm always intrigued when people try to liken these two schools.

Interesting. We are planning on visiting later this year. I heard that it was a lot more outgoing than Georgia tech and many chose Virginia Tech over Georgia Tech since kids were more outgoing /campus seemed more lively.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not deciding between UVA and VT but just recently went to visit VT because on paper, it checked all of our boxes:

- Big university
- Nice campus
- Strong sports program/culture

But when we went on campus, the vibe was odd. It was surprisingly quiet and low energy. My son was turned all the way off. So if you haven't, I'd say make it a priority to get on campus with your DD to see if she likes the vibe or not.

Curious when you went - on a weekend or holiday? Because the campus is not at all as you describe on regular school days. The energy and vibe was one reason my DC chose it (among many).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The cadet corps on campus also instill a quite sense of responsibility and work ethic in the other students, I think.

Meaning: your kid will have cadets in their classes. These students come in wearing their uniforms. Neat, clean, and crisp, and they come to class respectful and prepared. It raises the game for everyone else.

This comment seems odd to me. So no sweats and baseball caps worn backwards? No messy ponytails? Please elaborate!

DP. Of course there are also “sweats and messy ponytails” (and lots of baseball caps!). I think the PP simply meant that the cadets there bring a certain level of respect, dignity, and seriousness to the classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have a kid at VT, and they LOVE it.

It's a campus full of smart, but down-to-earth kids.

Our kid could have done the work at UVA just fine and earned a degree, but the social aspect would have had kid tearing their hair out, because our kid is down-to-earth and wouldn't have dealt well the snobbish UVA social culture. It's all about your kid's personality, and the right fit for them. They have to spend four years (or more) at this place. Do they like it?

At VT, your kid can be themselves, and everyone works hard. Everyone is very smart. The cadet corps on campus also instill a quite sense of responsibility and work ethic in the other students, I think.

Great school, and it's on the rise!

Totally agree with this. VT is a special place and my DC feels completely at home there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not deciding between UVA and VT but just recently went to visit VT because on paper, it checked all of our boxes:

- Big university
- Nice campus
- Strong sports program/culture

But when we went on campus, the vibe was odd. It was surprisingly quiet and low energy. My son was turned all the way off. So if you haven't, I'd say make it a priority to get on campus with your DD to see if she likes the vibe or not.

Curious when you went - on a weekend or holiday? Because the campus is not at all as you describe on regular school days. The energy and vibe was one reason my DC chose it (among many).

Agree with this. VT usually has a great energy and vibe. It’s weird when people compare VT and UVA. Both are good schools but the feel of each campus is completely and totally different. People usually have a strong preference for one or the other and not just due to ranking. They’re just so different.