help me decide on Virginia Tech

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You've addressed it. UVA and VT are both premier in-state schools, yet VT offers a direct admission to its business program, a feature absent at UVA. At UVA, there's a 50% chance of admission to the business program in second year. Despite this difference, both institutions provide outstanding internship and job opportunities along with excellent academic programs.

Does anyone know what the second year acceptance rate for the business schools at William&Mary and JMU are?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Typical VT student hides in his room playing video games with high school friends. Studies very hard but doesn’t want to be uncomfortable and explore all that this amazing school has to offer. STEM majors.

Huh? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjeezlaNAkc

I think I'd prefer kids staying in their rooms playing video games.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How does the vibe at VT compare to UMD if youve been to both.

TIA

VT is much better. A true college town and much more school spirit. It's sad how few people go to UMD football games.

Clarify how “VT is much better”. If football is your only criteria for a college experience, ok.

DC is considering both of these options right now and we’ve recently visited both. VT is a beautiful campus, but it’s sprawling. Lots more buses around campus, more walking, more green space, etc. Corps of cadets was a difference we noticed. We were excited to try the food at VT since it was supposed to be top ranked. It was good, but didn’t knock my socks off. UMD food just as good at their new dining hall. Residence halls looked much nicer at VT. DC did not enjoy the drive to VT or its remoteness. DC noted less diversity at VT as well.

DC liked curriculum at UMD better. VT has students start off in foundational level intro classes, not necessarily in their major field - eg foundations of engineering. UMD would let DC hop right into classes in major field. Perhaps the difference of being directly admitted to CS at UMD? At VT you are admitted to College of Engineering and then apply at end of freshmen year to CS. Have to have 3.0 GPA to guarantee CS major but they will take everyone with 3.0 and adjust class offerings accordingly.

VT speaker for major area - speaker seemed like a great teacher but he was a teacher. - two masters (sp ed and subject area). He did not have a PhD or do research. He wasn’t even sure what one of the areas the department was getting into was. And literally said it. At least look up the definition for the information session. Employers VT touted at info session were large DC area Govt contractors. DCs reaction to VT was that it was “mid”.

We were at VT for their “admitted” student day this week. After doing these now for two kids, I can say VTs was the worst I went to. There really wasn’t much to the “admitted” student day. Just a one hour session…I believe they have a more formal session this weekend, but our schedule didn’t accommodate for that and we thought the one day session would be sufficient. We didn’t know it would only be for 1 hour when we signed up because there was no planned schedule ever published.

You definitely sound like you had a strong preference for UMD from the get go so your experience doesn’t sound or feel objective. Both are good schools but also have extremely different campus vibes. One is.not better than the other but their campus life is not an apples to apples comparison.

+1
Not to mention, the weird fixation on UMD is off topic. OP wasn’t even considering it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You've addressed it. UVA and VT are both premier in-state schools, yet VT offers a direct admission to its business program, a feature absent at UVA. At UVA, there's a 50% chance of admission to the business program in second year. Despite this difference, both institutions provide outstanding internship and job opportunities along with excellent academic programs.

Does anyone know what the second year acceptance rate for the business schools at William&Mary and JMU are?

We just went to the JMU accepted students day, and students are automatically admitted into the business school junior year if you have a 2.7 gpa or higher at the end of sophomore in the core classes. I don’t know the rate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The cadet corps on campus also instill a quite sense of responsibility and work ethic in the other students, I think.

Meaning: your kid will have cadets in their classes. These students come in wearing their uniforms. Neat, clean, and crisp, and they come to class respectful and prepared. It raises the game for everyone else.

This sounds downright militaristic, in a frightening way.

DP. You’re aware that most universities have ROTC on campus, yes? Do you consider all of them to be “frightening”? Spare us all your theatrics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi OP!

Just wondering, since you started this thread back on 3/30,

- have you made a decision where to send DD for college ?

OP - Making the decision was not simple. DD has chosen to attend VT after thoroughly exploring both schools and engaging with current students, teaching assistants, and professors. We're thrilled for her and her decision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not deciding between UVA and VT but just recently went to visit VT because on paper, it checked all of our boxes:

- Big university
- Nice campus
- Strong sports program/culture

But when we went on campus, the vibe was odd. It was surprisingly quiet and low energy. My son was turned all the way off. So if you haven't, I'd say make it a priority to get on campus with your DD to see if she likes the vibe or not.

Curious when you went - on a weekend or holiday? Because the campus is not at all as you describe on regular school days. The energy and vibe was one reason my DC chose it (among many).

We went during my son's spring break, last week. School was in session but again, it was oddly quiet.

I have a family member who's in college at Towson and he surmised the quietness might have been due to it maybe being mid-terms? Not sure, but it was weird.

[Anonymous]

OP, just hung up with sophomore DD who is at VT. She was getting ready to go to a club sport she has gotten involved in (despite having never touched the sport ever in her life before VT.). Tons of plans for the weekend w friends from her major and her roommate. She is so happy there. I think your student will love it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not deciding between UVA and VT but just recently went to visit VT because on paper, it checked all of our boxes:

- Big university
- Nice campus
- Strong sports program/culture

But when we went on campus, the vibe was odd. It was surprisingly quiet and low energy. My son was turned all the way off. So if you haven't, I'd say make it a priority to get on campus with your DD to see if she likes the vibe or not.

This school has TONS going on. Low energy? No.

Sorry. That was not our experience. Was just there on 3/28 for a daily tour.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The cadet corps on campus also instill a quite sense of responsibility and work ethic in the other students, I think.

Meaning: your kid will have cadets in their classes. These students come in wearing their uniforms. Neat, clean, and crisp, and they come to class respectful and prepared. It raises the game for everyone else.

This sounds downright militaristic, in a frightening way.

Military factored heavily into our assessment of VT. The day we toured, there was some event for the military students and they were all dressed in army fatigues.

The big open-space quad on campus is also call "Drillfield" after the cadets who supposedly practice out there. VT is pretty heavy military.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The cadet corps on campus also instill a quite sense of responsibility and work ethic in the other students, I think.

Meaning: your kid will have cadets in their classes. These students come in wearing their uniforms. Neat, clean, and crisp, and they come to class respectful and prepared. It raises the game for everyone else.

This sounds downright militaristic, in a frightening way.

Military factored heavily into our assessment of VT. The day we toured, there was some event for the military students and they were all dressed in army fatigues.

The big open-space quad on campus is also call "Drillfield" after the cadets who supposedly practice out there. VT is pretty heavy military.

Some people don't realize this until they visit and see with their own eyes. Big presence, 1,200 cadets.
Drill field, firing cannons, this place sometimes feels like West Point. Some kids don't mind this, some do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The cadet corps on campus also instill a quite sense of responsibility and work ethic in the other students, I think.

Meaning: your kid will have cadets in their classes. These students come in wearing their uniforms. Neat, clean, and crisp, and they come to class respectful and prepared. It raises the game for everyone else.

This sounds downright militaristic, in a frightening way.

DP. You’re aware that most universities have ROTC on campus, yes? Do you consider all of them to be “frightening”? Spare us all your theatrics.

Most universities have some ROTC, but VT is different, big presence. Go and see yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi OP!

Just wondering, since you started this thread back on 3/30,

- have you made a decision where to send DD for college ?

OP - Making the decision was not simple. DD has chosen to attend VT after thoroughly exploring both schools and engaging with current students, teaching assistants, and professors. We're thrilled for her and her decision.

DP. Congratulations to her and welcome home, new Hokie!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The cadet corps on campus also instill a quite sense of responsibility and work ethic in the other students, I think.

Meaning: your kid will have cadets in their classes. These students come in wearing their uniforms. Neat, clean, and crisp, and they come to class respectful and prepared. It raises the game for everyone else.

This sounds downright militaristic, in a frightening way.

DP. You’re aware that most universities have ROTC on campus, yes? Do you consider all of them to be “frightening”? Spare us all your theatrics.

Most universities have some ROTC, but VT is different, big presence. Go and see yourself.

I have a child there and have visited often, thanks. Not sure what your bizarre issue is, but we love seeing cadets around campus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, just hung up with sophomore DD who is at VT. She was getting ready to go to a club sport she has gotten involved in (despite having never touched the sport ever in her life before VT.). Tons of plans for the weekend w friends from her major and her roommate. She is so happy there. I think your student will love it.

+100
I also have a sophomore DD there who is having a similar experience! She is always busy with one activity or another and has met so many different types of people. She said she can’t imagine herself anywhere else and we are thrilled that she’s so happy.