Anonymous
04/21/2026 19:03
Subject: UVA- how hard is it to get classes you need/want?
how hard is to get into commerce school at UVA?
Anonymous
04/21/2026 18:41
Subject: UVA- how hard is it to get classes you need/want?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:It’s not so difficult that it prevents UVA from having one of the highest 4 year graduation rates in the USNWR school set year after year.
https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/highest-grad-rate
In all fairness, UVa *requires* that students in A&S graduate in 4-years. Extensions are exceptions and granted rarely (an example of a potential exception is if student is hospitalized for many weeks with a serious illness - which often also implies withdrawing from university courses for that hospitalization semester). Programs other than A&S do not have the same 4-yr limit, but all of the other UVa programs are much smaller in size.
Well they also take a ridiculous amount of AP high school courses for credit. These are not equivalent to actual college level courses. The top universities- most T10/Ivy/20s offer very little credit (or none) for HS coursework, it dilutes the brand. It’s not just about $.
It is a public school. Every single public university takes a large number of AP courses for credit. This includes UCLA, Cal, Michigan, UNC, UVA, etc., but I suspect you knew that. UVA haters gotta hate.
Anonymous
04/21/2026 16:25
Subject: UVA- how hard is it to get classes you need/want?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:It’s not so difficult that it prevents UVA from having one of the highest 4 year graduation rates in the USNWR school set year after year.
https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/highest-grad-rate
This doesn’t speak to the flexibility of what OP is asking. OPs daughter may graduate in 4 yrs but not have the full slate of opportunities they wanted .
Of course it speaks to it. It would be exceptionally difficult to get a graduation rate that high if kids couldn’t get into classes.
Or is that you just don’t want to believe it?
Anonymous
04/21/2026 14:50
Subject: UVA- how hard is it to get classes you need/want?
Some of the general intros are large, but Engagements (gen eds that a quarter each) are very small.
Data science is really popular right now and they are running lots of sections as pp mentioned.
Course registration is a little stressful not matter where you go.
Data science is really popular right now and they are running lots of sections as pp mentioned.
Course registration is a little stressful not matter where you go.
Anonymous
04/21/2026 14:28
Subject: UVA- how hard is it to get classes you need/want?
Anonymous wrote:It's easy to get the pre-requisites for Commerce and Data Science done as a freshman. They run huge classes and many sections of each required course. If you're in interested in applying to both schools you should start completing the pre-reqs in the fall but you're only applying to one of these schools you could knock out the required pre-reqs in one semester (not ideal but kids do it all the time).
Most of the other popular freshman classes have a ton of spaces in them (things like college bio, chemistry, physics, the calculus classes, etc). It only gets tricky if you are trying to take upper division classes as a freshman as these things will mostly be full but even this work out most of the time.
I have an older child at an Ivy and to be honest, it's been easier for my UVA younger child to get courses than it has been for my older kid. You're not going to be able to guarantee your absolute choice schedule at any school as a freshman but UVA scheduling has been pretty easy.
This is all good to hear. My DC just committed to UVA.
Anonymous
04/21/2026 13:59
Subject: UVA- how hard is it to get classes you need/want?
Anonymous wrote:Yes, thanks for clarifying PP. I know that Freshman have a difficult time getting good classes at all schools but I am concerned that DC might be limited to large intro classes or random classes. Yes, random classes can be interesting (maybe) but still not great to have limited options. If DC majors in a STEM subject, I am worried that getting classes could be difficult given the size of the school.
If they want to apply to the schools of Commerce and/or Data Science for sophomore year they have to take the "large intro classes." It's required.
Anonymous
04/21/2026 13:56
Subject: UVA- how hard is it to get classes you need/want?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:It’s not so difficult that it prevents UVA from having one of the highest 4 year graduation rates in the USNWR school set year after year.
https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/highest-grad-rate
In all fairness, UVa *requires* that students in A&S graduate in 4-years. Extensions are exceptions and granted rarely (an example of a potential exception is if student is hospitalized for many weeks with a serious illness - which often also implies withdrawing from university courses for that hospitalization semester). Programs other than A&S do not have the same 4-yr limit, but all of the other UVa programs are much smaller in size.
Well they also take a ridiculous amount of AP high school courses for credit. These are not equivalent to actual college level courses. The top universities- most T10/Ivy/20s offer very little credit (or none) for HS coursework, it dilutes the brand. It’s not just about $.
Anonymous
04/21/2026 13:30
Subject: UVA- how hard is it to get classes you need/want?
Can Nova CC classes transfer easily to UVA?
Anonymous
04/21/2026 13:24
Subject: UVA- how hard is it to get classes you need/want?
It's easy to get the pre-requisites for Commerce and Data Science done as a freshman. They run huge classes and many sections of each required course. If you're in interested in applying to both schools you should start completing the pre-reqs in the fall but you're only applying to one of these schools you could knock out the required pre-reqs in one semester (not ideal but kids do it all the time).
Most of the other popular freshman classes have a ton of spaces in them (things like college bio, chemistry, physics, the calculus classes, etc). It only gets tricky if you are trying to take upper division classes as a freshman as these things will mostly be full but even this work out most of the time.
I have an older child at an Ivy and to be honest, it's been easier for my UVA younger child to get courses than it has been for my older kid. You're not going to be able to guarantee your absolute choice schedule at any school as a freshman but UVA scheduling has been pretty easy.
Most of the other popular freshman classes have a ton of spaces in them (things like college bio, chemistry, physics, the calculus classes, etc). It only gets tricky if you are trying to take upper division classes as a freshman as these things will mostly be full but even this work out most of the time.
I have an older child at an Ivy and to be honest, it's been easier for my UVA younger child to get courses than it has been for my older kid. You're not going to be able to guarantee your absolute choice schedule at any school as a freshman but UVA scheduling has been pretty easy.
Anonymous
04/21/2026 13:20
Subject: UVA- how hard is it to get classes you need/want?
Anonymous wrote:It’s not so difficult that it prevents UVA from having one of the highest 4 year graduation rates in the USNWR school set year after year.
https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/highest-grad-rate
In all fairness, UVa *requires* that students in A&S graduate in 4-years. Extensions are exceptions and granted rarely (an example of a potential exception is if student is hospitalized for many weeks with a serious illness - which often also implies withdrawing from university courses for that hospitalization semester). Programs other than A&S do not have the same 4-yr limit, but all of the other UVa programs are much smaller in size.
Anonymous
04/21/2026 13:15
Subject: UVA- how hard is it to get classes you need/want?
In UVa Engineering program, one might not get specific engineering class sections at one's preferred days/times but no issues getting the desired engineering classes/courses. For electives outside the engineering school, difficulty of getting that course varies with the demand & seats available for selected elective.
In UVa A&S, if student is majoring in Biology, Chemistry, Math, and Physics, then the same generally is true for in-major classes and any major-required math classes. For mandatory core classes required by A&S for all students, also usually no issues. For electives, difficulty varies with the demand & seats available for the selected elective.
Students in A&S seeking transfer to Commerce or similar programs in other parts of UVa ought to be trying to complete mandatory transfer pre-requisites as soon as they can. Commerce now is a 3-yr program (many wish it were a 4-year program and had direct admission).
In UVa A&S, if student is majoring in Biology, Chemistry, Math, and Physics, then the same generally is true for in-major classes and any major-required math classes. For mandatory core classes required by A&S for all students, also usually no issues. For electives, difficulty varies with the demand & seats available for the selected elective.
Students in A&S seeking transfer to Commerce or similar programs in other parts of UVa ought to be trying to complete mandatory transfer pre-requisites as soon as they can. Commerce now is a 3-yr program (many wish it were a 4-year program and had direct admission).
Anonymous
04/21/2026 12:50
Subject: UVA- how hard is it to get classes you need/want?
Yes, thanks for clarifying PP. I know that Freshman have a difficult time getting good classes at all schools but I am concerned that DC might be limited to large intro classes or random classes. Yes, random classes can be interesting (maybe) but still not great to have limited options. If DC majors in a STEM subject, I am worried that getting classes could be difficult given the size of the school.
Anonymous
04/21/2026 11:35
Subject: UVA- how hard is it to get classes you need/want?
Anonymous wrote:It’s not so difficult that it prevents UVA from having one of the highest 4 year graduation rates in the USNWR school set year after year.
https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/highest-grad-rate
This doesn’t speak to the flexibility of what OP is asking. OPs daughter may graduate in 4 yrs but not have the full slate of opportunities they wanted .
Anonymous
04/21/2026 11:30
Subject: UVA- how hard is it to get classes you need/want?
It’s not so difficult that it prevents UVA from having one of the highest 4 year graduation rates in the USNWR school set year after year.
https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/highest-grad-rate
https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/highest-grad-rate
Anonymous
04/21/2026 10:52
Subject: UVA- how hard is it to get classes you need/want?
DC is trying to decide on UVA. DC loves the campus and the vibe. DC is undecided and has no idea what to study. How difficult is it to get classes? Is it impossible to enter Data school or business school if you don't start taking prerequisites immediately? Worried that getting classes will be difficult, not to mention research opportunities and internships.