University of Virginia-Main Campus Top Questions

Well I recently took Multicultural education 5000, so I have had great and positive experiences with all races, religions, sexual orientations, minorities, and people of all walks of life. To be honest there is always groups on grounds to join that might fit your interest. I would say that people who love the urban feel of life or love the city and couldn’t be anywhere else might fell out of place, and maybe some minorities, especially if there are only use to being with their preferred groups, but as I say it’s better to go out of your comfort zone. Most students wear Khakis, Polo’s, button downs, Sperry’s, etc. Yet some dress however they feel to express themselves. All different types of students interact, and there really aren’t the stereotyping groupings at the lunch tables, it’s a mix of people. You have your athletes, but you also have athletes and frat boys, or may have people who love academia, but also know a lot of athletes or frat bros. Most of the students are from Virginia/D.C. All kinds of financial backgrounds to be honest, but majority are middle class or upper middle class, Students are very politically aware ,one of my friends and a couple of students at UVA are campaigning for the 2012 election. Most students are predominately Democratic. Also about half of students talk about how much they would like to make or are going to make working at this firm or this company.

The students at my school are like almost anywhere. There is a variety of students and some are great and some are awful. No type of student would really feel out of place because its such a big school that you can find people just like you if you choose to. In the business school most students wear jeans and t-shirts for men and I wouldn't know what women's clothes are called, but it tends to be preppy. Different types of students do interact because its part of the culture at the school. Most people here tend to come from wealthier areas, but there are plenty of people in worse financial situations here as well. Most of the students are from Virginia, of course. Most students tend to be liberal as well, but that's to be expected. Students do not tend to talk about how much they'll earn because in the business school we already know what everyone stands to make.

It is a very diverse community. You will experience the diversity as much as you want to. i am part of the Latino community and also have many American friends so int his sense I get the best of these worlds. I also work closely with the LGTB and so have gotten to know this community very well. At UVA you will get all kinds of people who will try to conserve their traditions and so there will be many activities and events that showcase the traditions and ideals of groups.

Every student is willing to help each other, and are always friendly. The students are really a great group of people, easy to be around, and always having a good time.

Virginia students are mostly from Northern Virginia. They are kids with very good extracurricular activities coming in and have often been leaders in their own personal background. The international students are often very similar. International students come from all over the world, loads from Asia, but there is a good strong population from Latin America and Eastern Europe. To tell you the truth... Hoos like to dress well, we are proud of wearing sun dresses and looking at the latest fashion. Girls often use purses instead of backpack and guys are not afraid to wear ties for 3 days in a row... so prepare to be well dressed.

There are a lot of different people at UVa, although at first glance we can seem like a very homogeneous school. There is a strong LGBT movement on grounds and it is widely supported. There are a lot of "Safe Space" stickers decorating doorways. There are also a lot of international students here, so there's a lot of diversity that way too. I would have to say that a lot of the kids here are probably in a fairly high tax bracket, or at least make it look that way, though UVa does have very generous financial aid programs (Access UVa) which make it possible for people from any socio-economic to attend the school. In class, most students are rather dressed up. Sweat pants are seldom seen and expensive clothes, shoes and sun glasses are prevalent. Of course, sometimes it's hard to tell. I dress nicely for class and probably look like most other people, but I don't have a pair of Ray Bans or a nice car (read any car). Either way, it doesn't matter. No one is really going to look down on you for how much (or how little) money you have. The biggest problem I see with diversity at UVa is how people here self segregate, especially racially. While I think that people here are willing to engage with people of different races, ethnicities, and backgrounds, sometimes it doesn't seem like there is much opportunity to do that. I don't know why that is. Perhaps because there are so many different clubs here (Black Student Union, Asian Student Union, LGBT activism group, Young Democrats, Young Republicans, etc.) that people just tend to meet and make friends with people more like themselves. Whatever the reason behind it, it's a major problem that needs to be addressed. Students here are politically active and not afraid to express their views (though I'm in poly sci... so perhaps it's more prevalent here than in other majors). There are people from both sides of the political spectrum, but I would say that the left-center is the most common viewpoint.

UVa students are generally very tolerant and diverse. There are various very good LGBT groups here on campus--the Queer Student Union and the Queer and Allied Activism group. There is also an LGBT resource center that is generally just for education. There are many clubs and different kinds of people so I feel like most students would feel at home here. Although the university is more geared towards people who do not really fit exactly into a specific group, but that are open minded and more general. Most students dress nicely for class but also wear sweat pants. Different types of students do interact I think because the school is so diverse. Most of the students are from Northern Virginia and are well off, but there are definitely also people from different socioeconomic statuses and different places. UVA is such a rich university that even if you are a student who is not well off you can feel just as well off as everyone else. Students here are very politically active and are more left and center leaning. Students are also not very concerned about future finances. It's very open and rewarding and accepting.

I believe that there is a big mix of students at UVA. There are a lot of students from Asia, but I talked to other friends from around the country and I guess there are many there too. In regards to LGBT, some professors and RAs here have signs on their windows saying they support LGBT and are there to talk to LGBTstudents. To class, people wear whatever they want. I've seen people wear sweats and I've seen those that wear sweats everyday. It all depends on their personality. I would say that people that differ in personalities all interact. UVA is a close community. Differences in people who hang out are not really prominent. There are lots of people who are from Northern VA, but also many others from out of state. Many people have a bit of money, but there are still those who do not have as much.

Your classmates will (typically) be some of the smartest people you have ever met and are very dedicated and determined, but they love to have fun and most of them have incredible school spirit.

UVa has a plethora of all different personality types, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds, creating the ideal social space for just about every type of temperment.