Does your student like/love UVA?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think my kids would have loved UVA, but they didn’t get in. Yes, I am bitter. We have paid Virginia taxes for 30 years and our kids were in range. Ended up at similarly ranked private universities. Before people start going on about W&M and VT, they aren’t equivalent or comparable in experience or prestige. Really wish UVA would expand the size of the school.

I’ve never really understood this way of thinking. Paying taxes doesn’t entitle you to entry to one specific school.

I did not mean I thought we had a right to entry. I just was noting that we have paid taxes that support the state universities and would have loved to get the benefit of reduced tuition. Instead we are paying $84,000 a year tuition for each kid.

That was a choice, though. They could have gone to a dozen other public schools in Virginia and paid in-state tuition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think my kids would have loved UVA, but they didn’t get in. Yes, I am bitter. We have paid Virginia taxes for 30 years and our kids were in range. Ended up at similarly ranked private universities. Before people start going on about W&M and VT, they aren’t equivalent or comparable in experience or prestige. Really wish UVA would expand the size of the school.

I’ve never really understood this way of thinking. Paying taxes doesn’t entitle you to entry to one specific school.

I did not mean I thought we had a right to entry. I just was noting that we have paid taxes that support the state universities and would have loved to get the benefit of reduced tuition. Instead we are paying $84,000 a year tuition for each kid.

That was a choice, though. They could have gone to a dozen other public schools in Virginia and paid in-state tuition.

No school charges 84k for tuition

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live in northern Virginia and none of my kids have gotten into UVA. I would LOVE for them to attend nearly for the price tag. Currently paying out of state tuition for 3 kids at $80k+ each. I get the jealousy on her and readily admit I am crazy jealous

Truth. Finally.

Translated: Finally someone says something that aligns with my beliefs.
Maybe, just maybe, there are multiple truths and perspectives.

Back to OP--I have a senior at UVA and one who recently graduated from W&M--both in similar majors (international relations/government/public policy). We recently had a deep dive into their experiences of the two schools because their younger sister is now a junior in HS and thinking about where to apply.

To answer your question--my senior DS has been generally very happy with UVA. "Loves" would be too strong a word--he has loved many aspects of his experience/friends, but he has a few critiques of the school. My W&M grad more unequivocally loves his school. Some of his friends were surprised that my eldest DS chose W&M over UVA because he seems the "work hard/play hard" type rather than purely intellectual, but he fell in love with W&M when he visited and has stayed that way (though of course he has a few critiques too).

Each school was the first choice for each kid and both had stats to get into either. Both kids agree the rigor at W&M seemed a little higher: tougher feedback--and much more detailed-- on papers, more reading/writing and requirements to really use reading in papers in accurate ways. (They actively compared classes--and both thought both schools were challenging enough--and neither pointlessly hard). Comparing the feedback that my eldest kid got with what he got made my younger kid feel that a few of his profs were just "phoning it in." But both had great relationships with several of their professors and worked on research projects. W&M kid had more direct work with a professor, UVA kid more populated research team.

Both were/are involved in Greek life (not our preference, but they wanted it and used their own money for social dues). They both had a fairly fun, social experience and partied. But my W&M kid said the average Friday/Saturday night at W&M was more like any weeknight at UVA (they both would visit each other occasionally) while the weekends at UVA were much wilder. But both kids also liked having the option of the more "kickback" (their word) social style at W&M. They alternated visiting each other depending on their obligations and mood. Neither of my kids would choose a school for sports, but both found UVA sports unsurprisingly a lot more fun than at W&M. The W&M grad has a great job he loves and the UVA senior has some good prospects. In retrospect, I think either would have had a good time and a great education at either.

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much for the under-one-roof-level insights on UVa and W&M - my kid may ED one or the other!

[Anonymous]

UVA is very prestigious.

[Anonymous]

UVA Football is now the homecoming opponent for every school it plays. I'm sure there is a lot of good in that fact.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:UVA Football is now the homecoming opponent for every school it plays. I'm sure there is a lot of good in that fact.

SATs! SATs!

[Anonymous]

My DC is a Junior (Third Year in UVA parlance) and likes the school very much. DC does not participate in Greek life, school sports, or clubs but has lots of friends and enjoys classes. DC is in a smaller school w/in UVA, not the larger liberal arts one, so that may have something to do with it. That being said, DC does report that UVA is a big party school and that partying starts on Thursdays. DC's roommates are all STEM majors and they do indulge in some partying, but in general they get their work done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live in northern Virginia and none of my kids have gotten into UVA. I would LOVE for them to attend nearly for the price tag. Currently paying out of state tuition for 3 kids at $80k+ each. I get the jealousy on her and readily admit I am crazy jealous

Truth. Finally.

Translated: Finally someone says something that aligns with my beliefs.
Maybe, just maybe, there are multiple truths and perspectives.

Back to OP--I have a senior at UVA and one who recently graduated from W&M--both in similar majors (international relations/government/public policy). We recently had a deep dive into their experiences of the two schools because their younger sister is now a junior in HS and thinking about where to apply.

To answer your question--my senior DS has been generally very happy with UVA. "Loves" would be too strong a word--he has loved many aspects of his experience/friends, but he has a few critiques of the school. My W&M grad more unequivocally loves his school. Some of his friends were surprised that my eldest DS chose W&M over UVA because he seems the "work hard/play hard" type rather than purely intellectual, but he fell in love with W&M when he visited and has stayed that way (though of course he has a few critiques too).

Each school was the first choice for each kid and both had stats to get into either. Both kids agree the rigor at W&M seemed a little higher: tougher feedback--and much more detailed-- on papers, more reading/writing and requirements to really use reading in papers in accurate ways. (They actively compared classes--and both thought both schools were challenging enough--and neither pointlessly hard). Comparing the feedback that my eldest kid got with what he got made my younger kid feel that a few of his profs were just "phoning it in." But both had great relationships with several of their professors and worked on research projects. W&M kid had more direct work with a professor, UVA kid more populated research team.

Both were/are involved in Greek life (not our preference, but they wanted it and used their own money for social dues). They both had a fairly fun, social experience and partied. But my W&M kid said the average Friday/Saturday night at W&M was more like any weeknight at UVA (they both would visit each other occasionally) while the weekends at UVA were much wilder. But both kids also liked having the option of the more "kickback" (their word) social style at W&M. They alternated visiting each other depending on their obligations and mood. Neither of my kids would choose a school for sports, but both found UVA sports unsurprisingly a lot more fun than at W&M. The W&M grad has a great job he loves and the UVA senior has some good prospects. In retrospect, I think either would have had a good time and a great education at either.

W&M is much more rigorous. I’ve had kids at both. The demands academically were much greater.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's really strange to see expression of school spirit or pride as a negative. It's evidence of a good community. It's a good thing when alumni love their college. It's a good thing when the school's network is strong. It's not "cocky" to be proud of your college. It's a pretty normal thing...unless you went to a school that didn't have much school spirit.

UVA grads (and Tech grades, for that matter) are a lot like grads from where I went to school. Super proud, wear the school gear, get together for watch parties, hope our kids consider it when their time comes, etc.

I totally agree with this. I went to Texas and exchange (Hook E'm) hand signs almost daily with others in DC that are wearing the gear. Make no mistake, UVA is a great school. It just does not have any cache out of the DMV area. It's sports are mediocre at best and while the school is ranked highly as public university, there are many public universities that have higher ranked majors in close distance to the DMV. Wisconsin, Michigan and Purdue to name a few.

All UVA boosters, be proud of your school - as you should be. I just find it ridiculous to shout down others that went to a different school.

I agree that UVA is better known and valued here in the DMV, which is pretty typical for the vast majority of colleges and universities, but to say it has no cache outside of the DMV is absurd. There were 41,377 OOS applicants for the current freshmen class.

Yeah, I love posts like that. So disconnected with reality. Reminds me of WC Fields: “nobody goes there anymore. It’s too crowded.“

Yogi Berra?

Yes! My bad.

Regardless, it’s pretty funny how tens of thousands of top students from all over the country who are also shooting for the Ivies, Duke, Stanford and other top privates routinely include UVA on their list every year, yet the school has no “cache out of the DMV?” Preposterous.

It’s the safety/fallback.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's really strange to see expression of school spirit or pride as a negative. It's evidence of a good community. It's a good thing when alumni love their college. It's a good thing when the school's network is strong. It's not "cocky" to be proud of your college. It's a pretty normal thing...unless you went to a school that didn't have much school spirit.

UVA grads (and Tech grades, for that matter) are a lot like grads from where I went to school. Super proud, wear the school gear, get together for watch parties, hope our kids consider it when their time comes, etc.

I totally agree with this. I went to Texas and exchange (Hook E'm) hand signs almost daily with others in DC that are wearing the gear. Make no mistake, UVA is a great school. It just does not have any cache out of the DMV area. It's sports are mediocre at best and while the school is ranked highly as public university, there are many public universities that have higher ranked majors in close distance to the DMV. Wisconsin, Michigan and Purdue to name a few.

All UVA boosters, be proud of your school - as you should be. I just find it ridiculous to shout down others that went to a different school.

I agree that UVA is better known and valued here in the DMV, which is pretty typical for the vast majority of colleges and universities, but to say it has no cache outside of the DMV is absurd. There were 41,377 OOS applicants for the current freshmen class.

Yeah, I love posts like that. So disconnected with reality. Reminds me of WC Fields: “nobody goes there anymore. It’s too crowded.“

Yogi Berra?

Yes! My bad.

Regardless, it’s pretty funny how tens of thousands of top students from all over the country who are also shooting for the Ivies, Duke, Stanford and other top privates routinely include UVA on their list every year, yet the school has no “cache out of the DMV?” Preposterous.

It’s the safety/fallback.

Yea, well, maybe, but they’re still looking at it - and not looking at UMD for example.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think my kids would have loved UVA, but they didn’t get in. Yes, I am bitter. We have paid Virginia taxes for 30 years and our kids were in range. Ended up at similarly ranked private universities. Before people start going on about W&M and VT, they aren’t equivalent or comparable in experience or prestige. Really wish UVA would expand the size of the school.

I understand that thinking. That is why a lot more people move to VA vs. MD...because there are more state universities and better ones. We live in DC so had to pay big bucks for private.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:UVA Football is now the homecoming opponent for every school it plays. I'm sure there is a lot of good in that fact.

Teams like to schedule the easiest, winnable opponent for homecoming. It’s certainly not something to brag about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live in northern Virginia and none of my kids have gotten into UVA. I would LOVE for them to attend nearly for the price tag. Currently paying out of state tuition for 3 kids at $80k+ each. I get the jealousy on her and readily admit I am crazy jealous

Truth. Finally.

Translated: Finally someone says something that aligns with my beliefs.
Maybe, just maybe, there are multiple truths and perspectives.

Back to OP--I have a senior at UVA and one who recently graduated from W&M--both in similar majors (international relations/government/public policy). We recently had a deep dive into their experiences of the two schools because their younger sister is now a junior in HS and thinking about where to apply.

To answer your question--my senior DS has been generally very happy with UVA. "Loves" would be too strong a word--he has loved many aspects of his experience/friends, but he has a few critiques of the school. My W&M grad more unequivocally loves his school. Some of his friends were surprised that my eldest DS chose W&M over UVA because he seems the "work hard/play hard" type rather than purely intellectual, but he fell in love with W&M when he visited and has stayed that way (though of course he has a few critiques too).

Each school was the first choice for each kid and both had stats to get into either. Both kids agree the rigor at W&M seemed a little higher: tougher feedback--and much more detailed-- on papers, more reading/writing and requirements to really use reading in papers in accurate ways. (They actively compared classes--and both thought both schools were challenging enough--and neither pointlessly hard). Comparing the feedback that my eldest kid got with what he got made my younger kid feel that a few of his profs were just "phoning it in." But both had great relationships with several of their professors and worked on research projects. W&M kid had more direct work with a professor, UVA kid more populated research team.

Both were/are involved in Greek life (not our preference, but they wanted it and used their own money for social dues). They both had a fairly fun, social experience and partied. But my W&M kid said the average Friday/Saturday night at W&M was more like any weeknight at UVA (they both would visit each other occasionally) while the weekends at UVA were much wilder. But both kids also liked having the option of the more "kickback" (their word) social style at W&M. They alternated visiting each other depending on their obligations and mood. Neither of my kids would choose a school for sports, but both found UVA sports unsurprisingly a lot more fun than at W&M. The W&M grad has a great job he loves and the UVA senior has some good prospects. In retrospect, I think either would have had a good time and a great education at either.

W&M is much more rigorous. I’ve had kids at both. The demands academically were much greater.

+1

That is the impression that I am given. PP, did both of your children get accepted at both WM and UVA? I am asking because I have never heard of that happening (from a decent representative sample).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think my kids would have loved UVA, but they didn’t get in. Yes, I am bitter. We have paid Virginia taxes for 30 years and our kids were in range. Ended up at similarly ranked private universities. Before people start going on about W&M and VT, they aren’t equivalent or comparable in experience or prestige. Really wish UVA would expand the size of the school.

I understand that thinking. That is why a lot more people move to VA vs. MD...because there are more state universities and better ones. We live in DC so had to pay big bucks for private.

Does DC not get reciprocity for state schools?