Residential Colleges at UVA

[Anonymous]

How are they? Wondering especially about the international college

[Anonymous]

I didn’t stay in one but I’ve heard they’re great.

[Anonymous]

There are 3: Brown, Hereford, and Intl. Most students prefer Brown or Intl, but primarily because their locations are closer to central grounds.

They are a good housing option, especially for a student who is choosing not to do the fraternity/sorority thing. Students in fraternities/sororities tend to find their social circle is centered on their greek house. Residential colleges do a good job of filling that social niche for those not in a fraternity or sorority.

[Anonymous]

Are you talking about for 1st years or beyond?

My understanding is that there are so few 1st years in these spaces, it is a bit more difficult to find your footing as a 1st year but beyond that, I've heard great things.

[Anonymous]

I am talking about for 1st years. I wonder why fewer don't apply to the residential colleges? Is it better to wait until sophomore year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am talking about for 1st years. I wonder why fewer don't apply to the residential colleges? Is it better to wait until sophomore year?

The first year experience is pretty unique - my kid will be starting in the fall and while I think he would love the IRC, I would not encourage him to apply for 1st year. But definitely for 2nd!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am talking about for 1st years. I wonder why fewer don't apply to the residential colleges? Is it better to wait until sophomore year?

The first year experience is pretty unique - my kid will be starting in the fall and while I think he would love the IRC, I would not encourage him to apply for 1st year. But definitely for 2nd!

+1

First year dorms are a critical part of the UVA experience. I graduated in 2006 and I'm still close with probably 10 people from my first year dorm - they became lifelong friends.

Don't skip out on that experience. You can do the residential colleges later.

[Anonymous]

they're for nerds

[Anonymous]

Ha yes they are for nerds but more importantly it is much harder to make friends was a first year in one of those residences. That’s just a fact.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am talking about for 1st years. I wonder why fewer don't apply to the residential colleges? Is it better to wait until sophomore year?

Mostly inertia. Whether it is better depends entirely in the student.

I started in the chaotic 1st yr dorms, but transferred into a residential college in early October to get away from a terrible (randomly assigned) roommate.

The RC was a paradise by comparison. It was quiet on school nights so someone could study. No one was trashing the hall, the bathroom, or common areas. No barf in the hall or common areas. Upper class students in the RC were very helpful with informal guidance in which courses to take or avoid, which profs to avoid, and how to work the system. It was just a dramatically more civilized place to live.

Did not have trouble meeting other 1st year students (frankly, I deliberately avoided my initial hallmates from the 1st year dorm, so that was not how I met people) and did not have trouble with any 1st year specific events.

RC as a first year is good option for a serious student, but poor option for someone who wants to party loudly on a school night (the other students in the RC would not tolerate it).