Anonymous wrote:DD and all her friends got in last year. All done to earth, great kids. About half ended up going. DD chose to go elsewhere but if she chose VT I would have been perfectly happy.

Anonymous wrote:My older Hokie is living her best life. She says her friends had great options for colleges, but they all - including her - picked VT as a first choice and were happy to be there. That's a good way to start out. They weren't bitter that they didn't get into their #1 school and felt like they were settling. They were super psyched to be there.

The campus is easy to navigate. For a school with ~30K undergrads, it's very compact. Kids can hop a bus to other side of campus if needed, but for those living on campus, it's not necessary & is super walkable. Dorms vary by age/amenities, but they're all on one side of campus and not split like some schools (e.g. Michigan, UNC) or where first years are far from the campus core (e.g. Duke). Both my Hokies really like how campus separated by the Drillfield into the "residential side" and the "academic side".

Food is good and there are a ton of different choices. Campus is pretty and in a pretty setting with gorgeous sunsets.

There are lots of smart kids, but it doesn't have the reputation for attracting strivers, so the students tend to be down-to-Earth types. Trying to do well and happy for others to be doing well.

School spirit is huge. Being in a college town like Blacksburg means everything is centered around VT. Very heavy wearing of VT gear on campus and off. Despite a struggling team, football game days are huge, and basketball is well attended too.

Lots of clubs and events happening. Great outdoor options if you have an outdoorsy kid.

Anonymous wrote:My older Hokie is living her best life. She says her friends had great options for colleges, but they all - including her - picked VT as a first choice and were happy to be there. That's a good way to start out. They weren't bitter that they didn't get into their #1 school and felt like they were settling. They were super psyched to be there.

The campus is easy to navigate. For a school with ~30K undergrads, it's very compact. Kids can hop a bus to other side of campus if needed, but for those living on campus, it's not necessary & is super walkable. Dorms vary by age/amenities, but they're all on one side of campus and not split like some schools (e.g. Michigan, UNC) or where first years are far from the campus core (e.g. Duke). Both my Hokies really like how campus separated by the Drillfield into the "residential side" and the "academic side".

Food is good and there are a ton of different choices. Campus is pretty and in a pretty setting with gorgeous sunsets.

There are lots of smart kids, but it doesn't have the reputation for attracting strivers, so the students tend to be down-to-Earth types. Trying to do well and happy for others to be doing well.

School spirit is huge. Being in a college town like Blacksburg means everything is centered around VT. Very heavy wearing of VT gear on campus and off. Despite a struggling team, football game days are huge, and basketball is well attended too.

Lots of clubs and events happening. Great outdoor options if you have an outdoorsy kid.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s funny because the snobs that bash VT and choose to not enroll elsewhere are helping VT preserve its character. VT’s historically has always catered to students that are hard workers looking for practical solutions. They are genuine and being able to be yourself makes most people happy.

That is very different from W&M and UVA that were founded to essentially produce a new aristocracy.

I had a daughter at each VT and William and Mary.. what are you even talking about?

Anonymous wrote:It’s funny because the snobs that bash VT and choose to not enroll elsewhere are helping VT preserve its character. VT’s historically has always catered to students that are hard workers looking for practical solutions. They are genuine and being able to be yourself makes most people happy.

That is very different from W&M and UVA that were founded to essentially produce a new aristocracy.

Anonymous wrote:It’s funny because the snobs that bash VT and choose to not enroll elsewhere are helping VT preserve its character. VT’s historically has always catered to students that are hard workers looking for practical solutions. They are genuine and being able to be yourself makes most people happy.

That is very different from W&M and UVA that were founded to essentially produce a new aristocracy.

Anonymous wrote:It’s funny because the snobs that bash VT and choose to not enroll elsewhere are helping VT preserve its character. VT’s historically has always catered to students that are hard workers looking for practical solutions. They are genuine and being able to be yourself makes most people happy.

That is very different from W&M and UVA that were founded to essentially produce a new aristocracy.