VT - what is is like currently?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

All the talk here of high school cliques is a bit disconcerting. Is it hard for kids that didn’t go to a FCPS high school to make friends? Are the high school friend groups excited to expand their group of friends to include new people? It sounds sort of awful.

+1. My kid would be bummed.

it is a very large school so your kid will probably not have trouble meeting new people. I know a kid who is from OOS and he is absolutely thriving.

+2
Most of my kid’s friends are from OOS.

+1

I attended back in the late 80s/early 90s from a Fairfax Co HS. I didn't hang out with anyone from my high school and rarely saw them. My best college roommate was from NJ. My dorm mates were from VA Beach, Richmond, other parts of the state and some out of state. I also became very close with a few girls from other Fairfax Co high schools--not near mine. This was great because we would meet up in the summer or catch a ride back on holidays. Now as the only one still in the DC area, they come back to visit their parents on holidays and we always spend a night or day out together.

What I loved about Tech was that it was a big school so you had anonymity and choices. At that time, greek life wasn't a huge deal. You still hung out with your friends and went to parties whether you were part of the greek system or not.

I was ready for a new start in college and I got that.

+100
Now there are far more OOS kids as VT has become a national university. And the Greek system is still not overwhelming - less than 20% of the students go Greek. My daughter is so involved in other things that I doubt she’s going to rush. She’s having a blast - as well as working hard in classes.

+100

One of the things I absolutely loved was that the greek life didn't run the social scene like it does at many college campuses. It feels very inclusive and not snobby. A bunch of my friends did join a sorority (different ones in the group), but 99% of their social time was with the fantastic group of girls who became lifelong friends on freshmen dorm hall. We still went to frat parties, but the off-campus parties and block parties were more fun. I was a STEM major and my courses were hard and prepared me well, but I still had a very social time there as well.

[Anonymous]

My DS is in engineering at VT and we are from a Western state—hardly anybody from our state at VT—that’s probably how he got in. He joined an LLC specifically because he wanted to be around friendly people and has no interest in partying/Greek life. He really likes the school and has made friends and is working hard. It is difficult (time-consuming, expensive) to get to VT if you’re not from the area, but if you’re in-state he highly recommends it. If you’re from the West it can be culture shock living in the South but that’s part of the experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

All the talk here of high school cliques is a bit disconcerting. Is it hard for kids that didn’t go to a FCPS high school to make friends? Are the high school friend groups excited to expand their group of friends to include new people? It sounds sort of awful.

+1. My kid would be bummed.

it is a very large school so your kid will probably not have trouble meeting new people. I know a kid who is from OOS and he is absolutely thriving.

+2
Most of my kid’s friends are from OOS.

+1

I attended back in the late 80s/early 90s from a Fairfax Co HS. I didn't hang out with anyone from my high school and rarely saw them. My best college roommate was from NJ. My dorm mates were from VA Beach, Richmond, other parts of the state and some out of state. I also became very close with a few girls from other Fairfax Co high schools--not near mine. This was great because we would meet up in the summer or catch a ride back on holidays. Now as the only one still in the DC area, they come back to visit their parents on holidays and we always spend a night or day out together.

What I loved about Tech was that it was a big school so you had anonymity and choices. At that time, greek life wasn't a huge deal. You still hung out with your friends and went to parties whether you were part of the greek system or not.

I was ready for a new start in college and I got that.

+100
Now there are far more OOS kids as VT has become a national university. And the Greek system is still not overwhelming - less than 20% of the students go Greek. My daughter is so involved in other things that I doubt she’s going to rush. She’s having a blast - as well as working hard in classes.

+100

One of the things I absolutely loved was that the greek life didn't run the social scene like it does at many college campuses. It feels very inclusive and not snobby. A bunch of my friends did join a sorority (different ones in the group), but 99% of their social time was with the fantastic group of girls who became lifelong friends on freshmen dorm hall. We still went to frat parties, but the off-campus parties and block parties were more fun. I was a STEM major and my courses were hard and prepared me well, but I still had a very social time there as well.

It's completely off campus (the greek houses), just like at UVA. You can choose to be in it or not, which is a good thing

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you to the parents who've shared their current students' experiences.

+1
Thanks! I’d much rather hear from people whose kids actually go there that secondhand opinions or anecdotes. VT is my kids’ (twins) top choice school, so we’re nervous/anxious/excited about applications. Neither are engineering or STEM types; this school seems to offer so much beyond that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DS is in engineering at VT and we are from a Western state—hardly anybody from our state at VT—that’s probably how he got in. He joined an LLC specifically because he wanted to be around friendly people and has no interest in partying/Greek life. He really likes the school and has made friends and is working hard. It is difficult (time-consuming, expensive) to get to VT if you’re not from the area, but if you’re in-state he highly recommends it. If you’re from the West it can be culture shock living in the South but that’s part of the experience.

My kid has made lots of OOS friends - including from Colorado, Florida, CA, Texas, NY, and Arizona. The parents’ FB page is full of OOS parents discussing all the different ways their kids get to VT (which I’m sure you’re aware of!).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

All the talk here of high school cliques is a bit disconcerting. Is it hard for kids that didn’t go to a FCPS high school to make friends? Are the high school friend groups excited to expand their group of friends to include new people? It sounds sort of awful.

+1. My kid would be bummed.

it is a very large school so your kid will probably not have trouble meeting new people. I know a kid who is from OOS and he is absolutely thriving.

+2
Most of my kid’s friends are from OOS.

+1

I attended back in the late 80s/early 90s from a Fairfax Co HS. I didn't hang out with anyone from my high school and rarely saw them. My best college roommate was from NJ. My dorm mates were from VA Beach, Richmond, other parts of the state and some out of state. I also became very close with a few girls from other Fairfax Co high schools--not near mine. This was great because we would meet up in the summer or catch a ride back on holidays. Now as the only one still in the DC area, they come back to visit their parents on holidays and we always spend a night or day out together.

What I loved about Tech was that it was a big school so you had anonymity and choices. At that time, greek life wasn't a huge deal. You still hung out with your friends and went to parties whether you were part of the greek system or not.

I was ready for a new start in college and I got that.

+100
Now there are far more OOS kids as VT has become a national university. And the Greek system is still not overwhelming - less than 20% of the students go Greek. My daughter is so involved in other things that I doubt she’s going to rush. She’s having a blast - as well as working hard in classes.

+100

One of the things I absolutely loved was that the greek life didn't run the social scene like it does at many college campuses. It feels very inclusive and not snobby. A bunch of my friends did join a sorority (different ones in the group), but 99% of their social time was with the fantastic group of girls who became lifelong friends on freshmen dorm hall. We still went to frat parties, but the off-campus parties and block parties were more fun. I was a STEM major and my courses were hard and prepared me well, but I still had a very social time there as well.

It's completely off campus (the greek houses), just like at UVA. You can choose to be in it or not, which is a good thing

It's always a personal choice, no one forces someone to be greek.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

All the talk here of high school cliques is a bit disconcerting. Is it hard for kids that didn’t go to a FCPS high school to make friends? Are the high school friend groups excited to expand their group of friends to include new people? It sounds sort of awful.

+1. My kid would be bummed.

it is a very large school so your kid will probably not have trouble meeting new people. I know a kid who is from OOS and he is absolutely thriving.

+2
Most of my kid’s friends are from OOS.

+1

I attended back in the late 80s/early 90s from a Fairfax Co HS. I didn't hang out with anyone from my high school and rarely saw them. My best college roommate was from NJ. My dorm mates were from VA Beach, Richmond, other parts of the state and some out of state. I also became very close with a few girls from other Fairfax Co high schools--not near mine. This was great because we would meet up in the summer or catch a ride back on holidays. Now as the only one still in the DC area, they come back to visit their parents on holidays and we always spend a night or day out together.

What I loved about Tech was that it was a big school so you had anonymity and choices. At that time, greek life wasn't a huge deal. You still hung out with your friends and went to parties whether you were part of the greek system or not.

I was ready for a new start in college and I got that.

+100
Now there are far more OOS kids as VT has become a national university. And the Greek system is still not overwhelming - less than 20% of the students go Greek. My daughter is so involved in other things that I doubt she’s going to rush. She’s having a blast - as well as working hard in classes.

+100

One of the things I absolutely loved was that the greek life didn't run the social scene like it does at many college campuses. It feels very inclusive and not snobby. A bunch of my friends did join a sorority (different ones in the group), but 99% of their social time was with the fantastic group of girls who became lifelong friends on freshmen dorm hall. We still went to frat parties, but the off-campus parties and block parties were more fun. I was a STEM major and my courses were hard and prepared me well, but I still had a very social time there as well.

It's completely off campus (the greek houses), just like at UVA. You can choose to be in it or not, which is a good thing

It's always a personal choice, no one forces someone to be greek.

DP. Obviously. I think the point the PP was making is that VT doesn’t have a huge Greek presence that might make someone feel pressure to join or else have no friends. It’s quite the opposite. There are so many clubs and organizations that many students don’t even consider rushing. No need to.

[Anonymous]

VT is amazing. Have a kid there. Loves it, the adjustment went well. Has made nice friends. Campus is full of very smart kids who have good heds on their shoulders but are friendly and kind. Tons of clubs and activities. Blacksburg is a cool little town. The off-campus rents are reasonable. The food on campus is ranked #2 in the country, students off campus can keep their on-campus meal plan if they wish. Campus is lovely. Professors are great. Tech touches every major in some way -- your kid will be required to learn some sort of modern tech for use in their field even in the most traditional humanities field. Great experience so far.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

All the talk here of high school cliques is a bit disconcerting. Is it hard for kids that didn’t go to a FCPS high school to make friends? Are the high school friend groups excited to expand their group of friends to include new people? It sounds sort of awful.

+1. My kid would be bummed.

it is a very large school so your kid will probably not have trouble meeting new people. I know a kid who is from OOS and he is absolutely thriving.

+2
Most of my kid’s friends are from OOS.

+1

I attended back in the late 80s/early 90s from a Fairfax Co HS. I didn't hang out with anyone from my high school and rarely saw them. My best college roommate was from NJ. My dorm mates were from VA Beach, Richmond, other parts of the state and some out of state. I also became very close with a few girls from other Fairfax Co high schools--not near mine. This was great because we would meet up in the summer or catch a ride back on holidays. Now as the only one still in the DC area, they come back to visit their parents on holidays and we always spend a night or day out together.

What I loved about Tech was that it was a big school so you had anonymity and choices. At that time, greek life wasn't a huge deal. You still hung out with your friends and went to parties whether you were part of the greek system or not.

I was ready for a new start in college and I got that.

+100
Now there are far more OOS kids as VT has become a national university. And the Greek system is still not overwhelming - less than 20% of the students go Greek. My daughter is so involved in other things that I doubt she’s going to rush. She’s having a blast - as well as working hard in classes.

+100

One of the things I absolutely loved was that the greek life didn't run the social scene like it does at many college campuses. It feels very inclusive and not snobby. A bunch of my friends did join a sorority (different ones in the group), but 99% of their social time was with the fantastic group of girls who became lifelong friends on freshmen dorm hall. We still went to frat parties, but the off-campus parties and block parties were more fun. I was a STEM major and my courses were hard and prepared me well, but I still had a very social time there as well.

It's completely off campus (the greek houses), just like at UVA. You can choose to be in it or not, which is a good thing

It's always a personal choice, no one forces someone to be greek.

DP. Obviously. I think the point the PP was making is that VT doesn’t have a huge Greek presence that might make someone feel pressure to join or else have no friends. It’s quite the opposite. There are so many clubs and organizations that many students don’t even consider rushing. No need to.

That is true at most schools so OK...

[Anonymous]

What’s it like for a shy, less socially savvy student? My DS, junior, is introverted and not at all a partied and we’ve been really pushing him to focus on smaller schools and I think he’s come to agree, but - Tech really has a lot of programs that he might be interested in academically like their school of natural resources.

Wondering if being in the honors dorm (how hard is it to get in honors) or in the residential college or one of the LLCs would be a good way to kind of make it more like a smaller school. We weren’t even going to tour Tech but wondering if we should.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What’s it like for a shy, less socially savvy student? My DS, junior, is introverted and not at all a partied and we’ve been really pushing him to focus on smaller schools and I think he’s come to agree, but - Tech really has a lot of programs that he might be interested in academically like their school of natural resources.

Wondering if being in the honors dorm (how hard is it to get in honors) or in the residential college or one of the LLCs would be a good way to kind of make it more like a smaller school. We weren’t even going to tour Tech but wondering if we should.

Going to a small school isn't always the best thing for an introverted kid. The schools can quickly become cliquey and cater to a specific type of kid, i.e., artsy or wealthy or liberal, etc. which may not fit your kid. Your kid might find better outcomes at a larger school with more likelihood of finding his people, but you know your kid best.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

All the talk here of high school cliques is a bit disconcerting. Is it hard for kids that didn’t go to a FCPS high school to make friends? Are the high school friend groups excited to expand their group of friends to include new people? It sounds sort of awful.

+1. My kid would be bummed.

it is a very large school so your kid will probably not have trouble meeting new people. I know a kid who is from OOS and he is absolutely thriving.

+2
Most of my kid’s friends are from OOS.

+1

I attended back in the late 80s/early 90s from a Fairfax Co HS. I didn't hang out with anyone from my high school and rarely saw them. My best college roommate was from NJ. My dorm mates were from VA Beach, Richmond, other parts of the state and some out of state. I also became very close with a few girls from other Fairfax Co high schools--not near mine. This was great because we would meet up in the summer or catch a ride back on holidays. Now as the only one still in the DC area, they come back to visit their parents on holidays and we always spend a night or day out together.

What I loved about Tech was that it was a big school so you had anonymity and choices. At that time, greek life wasn't a huge deal. You still hung out with your friends and went to parties whether you were part of the greek system or not.

I was ready for a new start in college and I got that.

+100
Now there are far more OOS kids as VT has become a national university. And the Greek system is still not overwhelming - less than 20% of the students go Greek. My daughter is so involved in other things that I doubt she’s going to rush. She’s having a blast - as well as working hard in classes.

+100

One of the things I absolutely loved was that the greek life didn't run the social scene like it does at many college campuses. It feels very inclusive and not snobby. A bunch of my friends did join a sorority (different ones in the group), but 99% of their social time was with the fantastic group of girls who became lifelong friends on freshmen dorm hall. We still went to frat parties, but the off-campus parties and block parties were more fun. I was a STEM major and my courses were hard and prepared me well, but I still had a very social time there as well.

It's completely off campus (the greek houses), just like at UVA. You can choose to be in it or not, which is a good thing

It's always a personal choice, no one forces someone to be greek.

True, but as regards UVA, I don't think anyone would disagree that it's much more Greek heavy than VA Tech and so social activities do tend to more closely revolve around Greek life there. That's not good or bad, just the situation I think.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

All the talk here of high school cliques is a bit disconcerting. Is it hard for kids that didn’t go to a FCPS high school to make friends? Are the high school friend groups excited to expand their group of friends to include new people? It sounds sort of awful.

+1. My kid would be bummed.

it is a very large school so your kid will probably not have trouble meeting new people. I know a kid who is from OOS and he is absolutely thriving.

+2
Most of my kid’s friends are from OOS.

+1

I attended back in the late 80s/early 90s from a Fairfax Co HS. I didn't hang out with anyone from my high school and rarely saw them. My best college roommate was from NJ. My dorm mates were from VA Beach, Richmond, other parts of the state and some out of state. I also became very close with a few girls from other Fairfax Co high schools--not near mine. This was great because we would meet up in the summer or catch a ride back on holidays. Now as the only one still in the DC area, they come back to visit their parents on holidays and we always spend a night or day out together.

What I loved about Tech was that it was a big school so you had anonymity and choices. At that time, greek life wasn't a huge deal. You still hung out with your friends and went to parties whether you were part of the greek system or not.

I was ready for a new start in college and I got that.

+100
Now there are far more OOS kids as VT has become a national university. And the Greek system is still not overwhelming - less than 20% of the students go Greek. My daughter is so involved in other things that I doubt she’s going to rush. She’s having a blast - as well as working hard in classes.

+100

One of the things I absolutely loved was that the greek life didn't run the social scene like it does at many college campuses. It feels very inclusive and not snobby. A bunch of my friends did join a sorority (different ones in the group), but 99% of their social time was with the fantastic group of girls who became lifelong friends on freshmen dorm hall. We still went to frat parties, but the off-campus parties and block parties were more fun. I was a STEM major and my courses were hard and prepared me well, but I still had a very social time there as well.

It's completely off campus (the greek houses), just like at UVA. You can choose to be in it or not, which is a good thing

It's always a personal choice, no one forces someone to be greek.

DP. Obviously. I think the point the PP was making is that VT doesn’t have a huge Greek presence that might make someone feel pressure to join or else have no friends. It’s quite the opposite. There are so many clubs and organizations that many students don’t even consider rushing. No need to.

That is true at most schools so OK...

No, it’s actually not. A lot of schools are majority Greek and if you decide not to rush, you are very much in the minority. Simply stating this is not at all the case at VT. But you seem to just want to argue, so whatever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What’s it like for a shy, less socially savvy student? My DS, junior, is introverted and not at all a partied and we’ve been really pushing him to focus on smaller schools and I think he’s come to agree, but - Tech really has a lot of programs that he might be interested in academically like their school of natural resources.

Wondering if being in the honors dorm (how hard is it to get in honors) or in the residential college or one of the LLCs would be a good way to kind of make it more like a smaller school. We weren’t even going to tour Tech but wondering if we should.

Going to a small school isn't always the best thing for an introverted kid. The schools can quickly become cliquey and cater to a specific type of kid, i.e., artsy or wealthy or liberal, etc. which may not fit your kid. Your kid might find better outcomes at a larger school with more likelihood of finding his people, but you know your kid best.

+1 and a small school doesn't necessarily mean not partying, let's be realistic it happens almost everywhere. Most well adjusted HS juniors aren't going out and drinking. Going to college with new found freedom and no parents around will change social construct and behavior and that's OK. Some of the most artsy people my kid hangs out with are the biggest dope smokers there are, constantly high. These were kids that were total nerds in HS. Honestly sometimes the small schools are the worst for this. Just saying look at everything and find the place your kid feels at home, the rest will fall into place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

All the talk here of high school cliques is a bit disconcerting. Is it hard for kids that didn’t go to a FCPS high school to make friends? Are the high school friend groups excited to expand their group of friends to include new people? It sounds sort of awful.

+1. My kid would be bummed.

it is a very large school so your kid will probably not have trouble meeting new people. I know a kid who is from OOS and he is absolutely thriving.

+2
Most of my kid’s friends are from OOS.

+1

I attended back in the late 80s/early 90s from a Fairfax Co HS. I didn't hang out with anyone from my high school and rarely saw them. My best college roommate was from NJ. My dorm mates were from VA Beach, Richmond, other parts of the state and some out of state. I also became very close with a few girls from other Fairfax Co high schools--not near mine. This was great because we would meet up in the summer or catch a ride back on holidays. Now as the only one still in the DC area, they come back to visit their parents on holidays and we always spend a night or day out together.

What I loved about Tech was that it was a big school so you had anonymity and choices. At that time, greek life wasn't a huge deal. You still hung out with your friends and went to parties whether you were part of the greek system or not.

I was ready for a new start in college and I got that.

+100
Now there are far more OOS kids as VT has become a national university. And the Greek system is still not overwhelming - less than 20% of the students go Greek. My daughter is so involved in other things that I doubt she’s going to rush. She’s having a blast - as well as working hard in classes.

+100

One of the things I absolutely loved was that the greek life didn't run the social scene like it does at many college campuses. It feels very inclusive and not snobby. A bunch of my friends did join a sorority (different ones in the group), but 99% of their social time was with the fantastic group of girls who became lifelong friends on freshmen dorm hall. We still went to frat parties, but the off-campus parties and block parties were more fun. I was a STEM major and my courses were hard and prepared me well, but I still had a very social time there as well.

It's completely off campus (the greek houses), just like at UVA. You can choose to be in it or not, which is a good thing

It's always a personal choice, no one forces someone to be greek.

DP. Obviously. I think the point the PP was making is that VT doesn’t have a huge Greek presence that might make someone feel pressure to join or else have no friends. It’s quite the opposite. There are so many clubs and organizations that many students don’t even consider rushing. No need to.

That is true at most schools so OK...

No, it’s actually not. A lot of schools are majority Greek and if you decide not to rush, you are very much in the minority. Simply stating this is not at all the case at VT. But you seem to just want to argue, so whatever.

+100