Does your student like/love UVA?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You gotta love the helpful posters on this board! What 3-4 people actually answering the question?

Exactly. OP, you should consider the responses of parents of recent or current students, none of which is obnoxiously pro-UVA, and then you should consider the others. Because if your son attends UVA, that’s what your jealous neighbors will be saying about you and your kid behind your back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't know if this addresses your question, but the UVA grads I know might be perfectly nice and/or capable, but any of that is overshadowed by their cockyness. I mean, it's not Harvard, or even close. I feel like grads from better schools seem far less cocky. This gives me a negative impression, YMMV.

No. That does not answer OP’s question. Not one bit.

DP: Well, OPs question was about why it gets a bad rap from some--this is why. Students may like it, but many outside the school find a reasonably sized number of their graduates cocky about their education in a way that feels unwarranted for what it is--a strong flagship university. I don't fully agree, but I would say I have seen a bit more of this cockiness as they transition from school into the "real world" from UVA grads than I do from grads we hire from equally strong or stronger schools. I think it's a bit more insular than a typical flagship because of its size and the limit to have 2/3 of students in-state--breeds a feeling of being a bigger fish than others might consider them. I honestly don't think that's too big of an issue though because most I encountered are quickly disabused of that once they enter the bigger pond.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You gotta love the helpful posters on this board! What 3-4 people actually answering the question?

Exactly. OP, you should consider the responses of parents of recent or current students, none of which is obnoxiously pro-UVA, and then you should consider the others. Because if your son attends UVA, that’s what your jealous neighbors will be saying about you and your kid behind your back.

Of course, that's what it has to be. You're kind of illustrating the point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mine is about to apply ED but I keep reading negative things online- competitiveness, unhappiness, etc. I can’t figure out if that is bc people online are negative or it’s actually something to be concerned about.

My child is a play hard/work (somewhat) hard kind of person. Ok with (and likely interested in) Greek life, loves rah rah sports, and schools with spirit. Makes friends easily. Loves Cville and what they have seen of UVA.

Other schools on the list are either likelies/safeties and maybe one or two other reach schools.

OP, your kid sounds like one who will likely enjoy UVA.

There are kids who don’t love it, though, and it’s possible to say that without being a parent of a kid who didn’t get in. In fact, those knee jerk comments are pretty indicative of the obnoxious stereotype that PP’s have alluded to. UVA has embodied the “we’re not snobs, we’re just better than you” vibe for a long, long time, and though I think they’re consciously trying to undo some of that, reputations can be hard to shake off.

- UVA alum and current employee who had a meh time there, whose kids don’t even want to go there, so no beef

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't know if this addresses your question, but the UVA grads I know might be perfectly nice and/or capable, but any of that is overshadowed by their cockyness. I mean, it's not Harvard, or even close. I feel like grads from better schools seem far less cocky. This gives me a negative impression, YMMV.

No. That does not answer OP’s question. Not one bit.

DP: Well, OPs question was about why it gets a bad rap from some--this is why. Students may like it, but many outside the school find a reasonably sized number of their graduates cocky about their education in a way that feels unwarranted for what it is--a strong flagship university. I don't fully agree, but I would say I have seen a bit more of this cockiness as they transition from school into the "real world" from UVA grads than I do from grads we hire from equally strong or stronger schools. I think it's a bit more insular than a typical flagship because of its size and the limit to have 2/3 of students in-state--breeds a feeling of being a bigger fish than others might consider them. I honestly don't think that's too big of an issue though because most I encountered are quickly disabused of that once they enter the bigger pond.

Your small sample size is not indicative of the greater. I have my own small sample: my two at UVA now are the least cocky people you could ever imagine. They have great internships, both of which were extended from summer, and their bosses sing their praises all the time. So there you go, small sample size to counter yours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Typical DCUM that people whose kids do NOT go to or have gone to UVA are the first to post and bash the school.

I have two at UVA and they both love it. My students only two people who transferred out and they were for mental health reasons and money (OOS).

It sounds like your kid will absolutely love it as well based on your description. It is definitely a work hard/party hard atmosphere. He will have to work that much I can guarantee.

Both of my kids are very different, one introverted and one not at all. They both have found their groups and enjoy all aspects of the school from social to athletic to academics.

My brother attended and niece currently attends - they both love(d) it as well (OOS).

+1. And my UVA graduate loved his four years there and is not cocky

[Anonymous]

DP: Well, OPs question was about why it gets a bad rap from some--this is why. Students may like it, but many outside the school find a reasonably sized number of their graduates cocky about their education in a way that feels unwarranted for what it is--a strong flagship university. I don't fully agree, but I would say I have seen a bit more of this cockiness as they transition from school into the "real world" from UVA grads than I do from grads we hire from equally strong or stronger schools. I think it's a bit more insular than a typical flagship because of its size and the limit to have 2/3 of students in-state--breeds a feeling of being a bigger fish than others might consider them. I honestly don't think that's too big of an issue though because most I encountered are quickly disabused of that once they enter the bigger pond.

+1

[Anonymous]

My DD is very, very happy there. Super nice kid too

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You gotta love the helpful posters on this board! What 3-4 people actually answering the question?

Exactly. OP, you should consider the responses of parents of recent or current students, none of which is obnoxiously pro-UVA, and then you should consider the others. Because if your son attends UVA, that’s what your jealous neighbors will be saying about you and your kid behind your back.

Unless they attend better schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't know if this addresses your question, but the UVA grads I know might be perfectly nice and/or capable, but any of that is overshadowed by their cockyness. I mean, it's not Harvard, or even close. I feel like grads from better schools seem far less cocky. This gives me a negative impression, YMMV.

No. That does not answer OP’s question. Not one bit.

DP: Well, OPs question was about why it gets a bad rap from some--this is why. Students may like it, but many outside the school find a reasonably sized number of their graduates cocky about their education in a way that feels unwarranted for what it is--a strong flagship university. I don't fully agree, but I would say I have seen a bit more of this cockiness as they transition from school into the "real world" from UVA grads than I do from grads we hire from equally strong or stronger schools. I think it's a bit more insular than a typical flagship because of its size and the limit to have 2/3 of students in-state--breeds a feeling of being a bigger fish than others might consider them. I honestly don't think that's too big of an issue though because most I encountered are quickly disabused of that once they enter the bigger pond.

Your small sample size is not indicative of the greater. I have my own small sample: my two at UVA now are the least cocky people you could ever imagine. They have great internships, both of which were extended from summer, and their bosses sing their praises all the time. So there you go, small sample size to counter yours.

Yes, your sample size of your own children is not biased at all!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DP: Well, OPs question was about why it gets a bad rap from some--this is why. Students may like it, but many outside the school find a reasonably sized number of their graduates cocky about their education in a way that feels unwarranted for what it is--a strong flagship university. I don't fully agree, but I would say I have seen a bit more of this cockiness as they transition from school into the "real world" from UVA grads than I do from grads we hire from equally strong or stronger schools. I think it's a bit more insular than a typical flagship because of its size and the limit to have 2/3 of students in-state--breeds a feeling of being a bigger fish than others might consider them. I honestly don't think that's too big of an issue though because most I encountered are quickly disabused of that once they enter the bigger pond.

+1

+2

I think if you hold onto having attended UVA (or most colleges, really) in your 30's and 40's well, that is kind of sad - and I have met and worked with people who do this. It creates a negative reputation of what may be a fine school. I have not had this experience with other employees (ie: graduates from other very good to great schools, or even from top schools). I am given the impression that some people are under the false belief that UVA is higher than it is, IRL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Typical DCUM that people whose kids do NOT go to or have gone to UVA are the first to post and bash the school.

I have two at UVA and they both love it. My students only two people who transferred out and they were for mental health reasons and money (OOS).

It sounds like your kid will absolutely love it as well based on your description. It is definitely a work hard/party hard atmosphere. He will have to work that much I can guarantee.

Both of my kids are very different, one introverted and one not at all. They both have found their groups and enjoy all aspects of the school from social to athletic to academics.

My brother attended and niece currently attends - they both love(d) it as well (OOS).

+1. And my UVA graduate loved his four years there and is not cocky

Have you seen your kid at work, or in the professional or social spheres, because some UVA grads are insufferable. DP here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Typical DCUM that people whose kids do NOT go to or have gone to UVA are the first to post and bash the school.

I have two at UVA and they both love it. My students only two people who transferred out and they were for mental health reasons and money (OOS).

It sounds like your kid will absolutely love it as well based on your description. It is definitely a work hard/party hard atmosphere. He will have to work that much I can guarantee.

Both of my kids are very different, one introverted and one not at all. They both have found their groups and enjoy all aspects of the school from social to athletic to academics.

My brother attended and niece currently attends - they both love(d) it as well (OOS).

+1. And my UVA graduate loved his four years there and is not cocky

Have you seen your kid at work, or in the professional or social spheres, because some UVA grads are insufferable. DP here.

The ONLY reason I despise UVA and their graduates and will be extremely skeptical when hiring anyone from UVA is that most UVA grads I have met are indeed insufferable (suffers from delusions) unlike grads ofrom Michigan, Cal, UCLA, Illinois etc. whom I have met in the past 30 years or so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't know if this addresses your question, but the UVA grads I know might be perfectly nice and/or capable, but any of that is overshadowed by their cockyness. I mean, it's not Harvard, or even close. I feel like grads from better schools seem far less cocky. This gives me a negative impression, YMMV.

No. That does not answer OP’s question. Not one bit.

DP: Well, OPs question was about why it gets a bad rap from some--this is why. Students may like it, but many outside the school find a reasonably sized number of their graduates cocky about their education in a way that feels unwarranted for what it is--a strong flagship university. I don't fully agree, but I would say I have seen a bit more of this cockiness as they transition from school into the "real world" from UVA grads than I do from grads we hire from equally strong or stronger schools. I think it's a bit more insular than a typical flagship because of its size and the limit to have 2/3 of students in-state--breeds a feeling of being a bigger fish than others might consider them. I honestly don't think that's too big of an issue though because most I encountered are quickly disabused of that once they enter the bigger pond.

Your small sample size is not indicative of the greater. I have my own small sample: my two at UVA now are the least cocky people you could ever imagine. They have great internships, both of which were extended from summer, and their bosses sing their praises all the time. So there you go, small sample size to counter yours.

Your standards for lack of cockiness don't hold up to scrutiny.

[Anonymous]

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.