how possible is it to have a thriving social life at UVa without being interested in the Greek scene

[Anonymous]

My eschool student definitely makes time for a club sport. It is definitely what you are willing to make of it and how you set your priorities while in college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not very many engineering students are involved in the greek scene; they just do not have the free time to do that.

Yeah, I’m not sure any of them have what I’d call a “thriving social life.”

Seriously?!?!

Not at uva, but my engineering kid has a great social life. Not a nerd (she specifically searched out schools where the engineers are not nerds and have other interests)

What she will have is a great job, one that pays well at graduation.

Oh and she's also in a sorority because that's where all her friends are (so a mid tiered one). Goes to bars and parties all the time
And has a 3.8+ in chemical eng

3.8. That is crazy. What year?

[Anonymous]

I know three students there now who said they would never, ever rush but all ended up doing it because they felt panicked after the first semester about not having found enough friends. It’s two years later and 2 of the 3 are happy in their house and glad they forced themselves to do it.

[Anonymous]

Just have to point out that college is actually about academics and social life just happens conveniently and is fluid -
Focus on the academics

[Anonymous]

Do students form a lot of friendships through their dorms? Are there social events lead by RAs etc during orientation and throughout the year where people meet?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not very many engineering students are involved in the greek scene; they just do not have the free time to do that.

Yeah, I’m not sure any of them have what I’d call a “thriving social life.”

Yikes. Whoa. You know all the engineering students at UVA? Eyeroll.

Yeah, mine was aerospace engineering major at UVA taught by a female astronaut and had a great time at UVA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do students form a lot of friendships through their dorms? Are there social events lead by RAs etc during orientation and throughout the year where people meet?

Not always, very much depends on the RA and the hall. My DS was best friends with this roommate and the “hall” never did anything togther at least that included them. He decided to rush because of that and I have to say, fraternity rush is alot of fun. I’d encourage anyone to try it, they don’t have to accept a bid but they will definitely meet people along the way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To answer the original question, here's how my UVA kid did it. First she participated in a Facebook page set up by accepted students. O er the summer, she found many of her friends there sharing her particular interests. Ny the time she arrived at camous there were ten students who had friended up this way. They all went out as a group after move-in day. Then, during the first week, over thecourse of 3 days, UVA has its 700 clubs out put out tables where student reps talked to interest students about their activities. She picked six to try: the student newspaper, an athletic club, a political club, a musical club, a philanthropy club and something else I can't remember. The gamechanger turned out to be the Jefferson Society - the longest continuing running debate Society in America. That became her real out-of-class focus and from whence most if her friends would come. She became an officer in Jef Soc and in the political club. She worked in politics at Larry Sabato's center which lead to summer internships in DC. She's now at UVA law. The Greek houses are all off campus; you really can go all four years without ever going to a Greek house or event.

Thanks this is helpful! Trying to be ready to understand implications of different options and decisions

post back if you have any further questions and if i see them will try to respond

[Anonymous]

My daughter is a second year, and I don’t remember her talking about social activities organized by her RA. She only met some girls on her wing of her floor, and none of the boys on the other floors. She made a lot of friends on her own, and is also in a sorority.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do students form a lot of friendships through their dorms? Are there social events lead by RAs etc during orientation and throughout the year where people meet?

Surprisingly no. Her first year dorm/hall does nada. Doors always closed. We definitely were expecting it to be different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do students form a lot of friendships through their dorms? Are there social events lead by RAs etc during orientation and throughout the year where people meet?

Surprisingly no. Her first year dorm/hall does nada. Doors always closed. We definitely were expecting it to be different.

It depends upon the RA. My UVA student loved hers (2 years). But the GMU RA for another kid was a dud. They are onky 18, 19.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do students form a lot of friendships through their dorms? Are there social events lead by RAs etc during orientation and throughout the year where people meet?

Surprisingly no. Her first year dorm/hall does nada. Doors always closed. We definitely were expecting it to be different.

It depends upon the RA. My UVA student loved hers (2 years). But the GMU RA for another kid was a dud. They are onky 18, 19.

PP. totally get that. It’s just a different time, too. We were just surprised that there isn’t any hall dynamics. She joined lots of orgs so all is well

[Anonymous]

it's not, especially if you are LGBTQ+

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh please, get over Greek life.

+100
I think a lot of kids are indeed over it. It doesn't seem nearly as popular as it was decades ago. Now it's almost an afterthought, if that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not very many engineering students are involved in the greek scene; they just do not have the free time to do that.

Yeah, I’m not sure any of them have what I’d call a “thriving social life.”

Yikes. Whoa. You know all the engineering students at UVA? Eyeroll.

To be fair, there aren’t many.
DP