University of Virginia-Main Campus Top Questions

Most students are from in-state and richmond and northern Va. most people wear jeans and a nice top to class. kinda like a dressy casual. most people do not wear sweats to class. and when it gets warm outside girls start wearing sundresses around.

I don't think any student would feel out of place at UVA for long. It might seem for the first few weeks you're here that there's only one type of person, but after about a half a semester diverse student groups just come out of the woodworks. Be sure to check out the Fall Activities Fair, get on some mailing lists, and go to some alternative-type group meetings if you want to make friends that defy the UVA mold.

I've had a lot of experience with other ethnic groups on grounds. We plan all sorts of events together, and of course, they're all student led. Some of the best times I've had at UVa were when I was with other student leaders planning out events or other things at the University. Dress is slightly on the preppy side at UVa. Some people will randomly dress up for class. When I go to other schools, I see just how preppy we are, but it's really only in a good way. One of the unusual things about UVa are the relationships that I've seen formed. There are some people who, while I was in high school, would not have befriended in a million years, but whom I'm now good friends with. People from all sorts of races and backgrounds are friends with each other, and many UVa students seem to embrace the idea of diversity very well. If there were only one social class I could choose to describe a UVa student, I would choose upper-middle class. Most of our students are from Northern Virginia and Greater Richmond, which are all mostly that socio-economic category. We have people of all different backgrounds, though. Most UVa students are from Virginia, the biggest concentration from Northern Virginia, which includes Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudon, Prince William, Stafford, and Spotsylvania Counties with a few independent cities like Fairfax and Fredericksburg. Most other out-of-state students are from Maryland, New Jersey, and New York, but we have students from all over North America, really. We have a high number of international students, too. In the engineering school, I get the sense that most students are politically aligned in the center, but in the College, I would definitely say predominently left. The architecture, commerce, and nursing schools are probably in the center, too. UVa grads seem to have the advantage of getting management roles in companies, so, yeah, we do talk about how much we'll earn.

I feel there's a strong religious community at UVA. I believe every major religion has a strong and thriving presence on grounds. This is a very liberal campus. I believe this is a drawback to the University. I see different types of students interact constantly. Race is not an issue here. I believe people have a misconception that UVA does not give enough support to those who are not as financially well-off as others. However, UVA is consistently one of the "best-value" schools in the nation. We have a very developed financial aid program and the scholarships available to students are almost countless. In addition, UVA accepts AP/IB/dual enrollment credit and transfer students from community colleges. Reasonable student loans are also available to students. These avenues are great opportunities for students to get the most for their money.

UVa actually IS very diverse. I thought that was a load of BS until I came here. I am one of 2 white girls in my suite (and I'm half English, so...I still add to my suite's international flavor). Different types of students definitely do interact. I am friends with alot of Indians. I don't think anyone would feel out of place at UVA. I am the president of the Neo-pagan club...need I say more? There are loads of exciting, interesting people here. Most students come from fairly wealthy families. We joke about how much we'll earn (i.e. I will be living in a cardboard box after I graduate because I'm artsy, but I plan to scrounge off my friends who are studying business.) There are many groups on campus. I am friends with members of QUAA (Queer university Allied Activism ... I think it stands for) which is one of the LGBT groups. I am a memeber of FIFE (Feminism is for everyone), and I am the president of NatureSpirit at UVA (Neo-pagan/Wiccan/earth-centered religion group). Email me if you are at all interested in NatureSpirit!(It's open to everyone)

There's a place for every student. There are so many different groups that it's easy to find something in which you are interested. I've been a part of the running club and a club to make the dining halls more environmentally-friendly and I'm president of the Latter-Day Saint Student Association, the Mormon club. Most people don't know much about Mormons and respond more with curiosity than anything else. I've experienced such diversity. My first year, my roommate was from Taiwan and my neighbors were from Bulgaria and Michigan. Across the hall, one girl was Indian and the other from a small town in Virginia.