VA Tech - how to make it seem less imposing

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We visited VA Tech last weekend for the spring open house. We are trying to sort through our feelings because our reactions kind of took us by surprise and we all still want you to keep it in the running for our dd. But we all came away feeling like it seemed a little cold and off-putting. The drill field was so vast , the limestone buildings were all the same, there were few trees or natural landmarks to differentiate and help us find our way, it just seemed a little severe. There were no meandering paths or benches or trees to make everything come down to a human scale. Everybody love love loves their experience there so did we not get the right experience? What parts of the campus and the experience make it warmer and friendlier and more relatable? We will be keeping it on our list but want to make our visit next time more inclusive of places that give us a better sense of the community. Thanks!

It's a public university. Are you looking for a resort or something?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We visited VA Tech last weekend for the spring open house. We are trying to sort through our feelings because our reactions kind of took us by surprise and we all still want you to keep it in the running for our dd. But we all came away feeling like it seemed a little cold and off-putting. The drill field was so vast , the limestone buildings were all the same, there were few trees or natural landmarks to differentiate and help us find our way, it just seemed a little severe. There were no meandering paths or benches or trees to make everything come down to a human scale. Everybody love love loves their experience there so did we not get the right experience? What parts of the campus and the experience make it warmer and friendlier and more relatable? We will be keeping it on our list but want to make our visit next time more inclusive of places that give us a better sense of the community. Thanks!

It's a public university. Are you looking for a resort or something?

DP. It might be a public, but it's a very attractive school - and much more so than many privates.

[Anonymous]

The use of “we” is extremely odd and off-putting. How did your kid feel?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Guess you missed the Duck Pond.

Honestly, what's so great about the duck pond? I've heard it mentioned a few times.

DP. It's just a beautiful, quiet, relaxing place to go. Is that ok?

I grew up in Blacksburg and it’s such a lovely spot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Guess you missed the Duck Pond.

Honestly, what's so great about the duck pond? I've heard it mentioned a few times.

DP. It's just a beautiful, quiet, relaxing place to go. Is that ok?

I grew up in Blacksburg and it’s such a lovely spot.

+1
Lucky you! We're considering retiring there in a few years.

[Anonymous]

OP, not everyone likes VT. Many feel like they are just one out of 39,000 students being taught in big lecture halls by grad students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, not everyone likes VT. Many feel like they are just one out of 39,000 students being taught in big lecture halls by grad students.

Trolls gotta troll!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, not everyone likes VT. Many feel like they are just one out of 39,000 students being taught in big lecture halls by grad students.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Virginia Tech is not for your kid. The same thing happened to ours. We toured William and Mary the next week and they felt much more at home.

I was going to suggest W&M, where you’ll definitely find trees, benches and meandering paths.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Virginia Tech is not for your kid. The same thing happened to ours. We toured William and Mary the next week and they felt much more at home.

I was going to suggest W&M, where you’ll definitely find trees, benches and meandering paths.

+++ yes to W&M!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Virginia Tech is not for your kid. The same thing happened to ours. We toured William and Mary the next week and they felt much more at home.

I was going to suggest W&M, where you’ll definitely find trees, benches and meandering paths.

+1 one of my kids is at VT and wouldn't want to be anywhere else. The campus is a lot prettier in the Fall and Spring. My other kid wanted nothing to do with it, too big. W&M was her favorite VA school but she ended up at an OOS LAC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You don't pick a school based on a reaction to the campus based on one visit. At a big school, a student simply needs to find a smaller group to be part of, for example through clubs. Go see the duck pond. The campus is big but your student won't need to be in all parts of the campus. My son had a great experience at Virginia Tech. I would not write off Virginia Tech based on some initial impressions of the campus or vibe.

Wrong. People do this all the time. I fell in love with my college immediately. The location, the campus, the people, the vibes — these are all important.

Same for our kids. Fit was so important. My daughter loved everything about her school and my son didn’t even want to apply there. Things like weather, amount of students on campus (summer or break tours), etc can alter their impression. It might be worth a second look sometimes. VT is a wonderful school, but small town, more isolated location, look of campus, etc may not be for everyone. Just like a school like GW in the city might not work for someone too.

[Anonymous]

OP: Why is it so important to you to keep it in the running? If your student shares your feelings, listen and maybe look elsewhere.
I am not disputing it is a great school, but it definitely isn't for everyone.
It wasn't for our kid.
Our student got a lot out of their classes and enjoyed football and basketball games but found VT to be cold, grey, and imposing. The weather isn't the best.
Our kid transferred and is happier elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Apply to VT but add WM and U Richmond to the list.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP: Why is it so important to you to keep it in the running? If your student shares your feelings, listen and maybe look elsewhere.
I am not disputing it is a great school, but it definitely isn't for everyone.
It wasn't for our kid.
Our student got a lot out of their classes and enjoyed football and basketball games but found VT to be cold, grey, and imposing. The weather isn't the best.
Our kid transferred and is happier elsewhere.

+1 I really appreciated it when my kid has a clear "not for me" impression of a school. Understanding what's driving that is really helpful in narrowing down the options. You don't have to like every school. (And I have one at VT and one at a very different school)