How is UVA overrated?

[Anonymous]

For those that say UVA is overrated, please list the reasons you believe this. Looking for substantive reasons. My kid is about to decide between UVA and another school.

[Anonymous]

Lots of classes taught by grad students. Students are smart but not known for being intellectually curious. Not known for strong student/faculty relationships. Fine school. Maybe just not as fine as its alumni think it is in academics.

[Anonymous]

UVA is a state school so the price is less expensive vs other schools. This increases desirability and up its perceived value.

Also state schools graduates usually stay local and have local reputations in the state and maybe the region. Virginia is not a state with an economy like California, New York, etc. and the opportunities associated with such an economy- Wall Street, silicon Valley, Hollywood, media, etc.

[Anonymous]

You're playing with fire by posting on here about this OP.
There are posters who I genuinely think have "UVA posts on DCUM" as an alert on their phone. They jump on here in 2 seconds flat to disparage the place and to say why their kid would never attend.

My child is choosing between UVA and another top 25 school and is 99% sure they're headed to UVA. They are a super smart kid with top grades from a rigorous private and an almost perfect SAT. They want the balance of strong academics but a genuinely fun and very social college experience that a place like UVA provides. We know at least a dozen other kids who are like mine who are also headed to UVA (across the various public and private kids we know) and also another dozen who are there and are really, really happy

[Anonymous]

UVA is overrated to parents whose kids couldn’t get it. It’s a way to make them fell better for the kids failure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:UVA is overrated to parents whose kids couldn’t get it. It’s a way to make them fell better for the kids failure.

You sound like a true delight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:UVA is overrated to parents whose kids couldn’t get it. It’s a way to make them fell better for the kids failure.

Not true, plenty of us just don’t prefer public schools.

[Anonymous]

Lots of classes taught by grad students.

DD is a 1st Yr and hasn't had a single class taught by a TA. They lead discussion sections for large classes, offer study sessions, proctor and grade exams. But, professors teach the classes and have been easy to communicate with via office hours or email. Flame UVA all you want, but at least post the truth for people genuinely doing their research.

[Anonymous]

Looking for answers as to why you think it's overrated. Not looking for answers trying to convince the DMV that it's an amazing school. Plenty of threads on the positives.

[Anonymous]

How are the dorms?
How is the food?
How is the social culture?
How are the research opportunities?
How are the internship opportunities?

[Anonymous]

Cheating

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Lots of classes taught by grad students.

DD is a 1st Yr and hasn't had a single class taught by a TA. They lead discussion sections for large classes, offer study sessions, proctor and grade exams. But, professors teach the classes and have been easy to communicate with via office hours or email. Flame UVA all you want, but at least post the truth for people genuinely doing their research.

Valid point. Correction. Too many classes where everything but the weekly lecture is done by grad students. This is where UVA compares poorly to the undergraduate focused Ivies and LACs including William& Mary. How it compares to other big state schools, I couldn’t say.

[Anonymous]

Institution has a superficial superiority complex.

[Anonymous]

There seems to be a bubble that wants to elevate it to near Princeton status. Other than that not overrated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You're playing with fire by posting on here about this OP.
There are posters who I genuinely think have "UVA posts on DCUM" as an alert on their phone. They jump on here in 2 seconds flat to disparage the place and to say why their kid would never attend.

My child is choosing between UVA and another top 25 school and is 99% sure they're headed to UVA. They are a super smart kid with top grades from a rigorous private and an almost perfect SAT. They want the balance of strong academics but a genuinely fun and very social college experience that a place like UVA provides. We know at least a dozen other kids who are like mine who are also headed to UVA (across the various public and private kids we know) and also another dozen who are there and are really, really happy

This is all true. My kid is going in the Fall and while they could have chosen an Ivy, they picked UVA for the social environment it offers and less pressure-cooker feel than an Ivy. They want strong academics but also want a typical college experience. Also way less expensive (in-state). Very happy with their decision.