Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Top Questions

Do professors know your name? Class is what you make of it. Some class sizes can be quite large, especially in the early years of study. This sometimes makes it harder to get involved with your professor and build relationships with them, but it is not impossible. If you participate in class and go to office hours, the professors will know who you are. It seems daunting at first but professors want to know their students. They want to see kids come into their office and ask questions and get help. These things really pay off in the end. Tell us about your favorite class. I am a total design geek, so my favorite class was Advanced Techniques in Document Design. I actually ended up helping teach the class by my senior year. Least favorite? Accounting, for obvious reasons. How often do students study? With all the students running around participating in so many events and organizations, it may be tough to believe that we take our academics very seriously and spend a lot of time studying. I would say that at least two days out of the week, Tech students hole up in the library or Math Emporium and study for hours at a time. Is class participation common? Yes. Do the students have intellectual conversations outside of class? I don’t know that you will overhear students talking about the chemical make up of the solutions they processed in lab that morning over lunch, students do meet in study groups quite often, and that is where those discussions take place. Are students competitive? Yes and no. Every person is different. The higher you go up the class rank, the more and more competitive students become. Valedictorian is decided by .001 points around here so students take that very seriously. What's the most unique class you've taken? Mysterious Mushrooms and Malicious Molds. I highly recommend it. Tell us about your major / department. I had a very unique major here at Tech. While technically I was an English major, I studied in the Professional Writing track which is combination of communication, business, marketing, and graphic design study. I still had to take all the literature classes required by the major, and I learned how to write at the professional level, but PW kids are different in that we can do it all. A jack of all trades of sorts. Studying Professional Writing prepares students for a multitude of career paths. The English department is pretty small, as are most Liberal Arts majors at a big science school, but we have a large presence on campus because we have three different types of majors: Professional Writing, Literature, and Creative Writing. Do you spend time with professors outside of class? Because my department was so small and my classes were so small, I spent a lot of time with a few of my professors. I became a teaching assistant for 3 classes my senior year and was used as a guest speaker at many freshman level classes. How do you feel about this school's academic requirements? Tech is getting hard to get into – and for good reason. VT is a great school for a great price that you just can’t beat. Obviously, there is only so much room here so competition is getting steep but that is only to make sure that the students who come here actually want to study and get a great education. Is the education at this school geared toward getting a job, or learning for its own sake? Tech is all about making sure that its graduates get a job. There is an entire department devoted to helping students write resumes, prepare for interviews, and meet with specific advisors to coach them through the job hunt. The university puts on more than 35 job fairs for employers and students to attend each year, so we get a lot of experience going out and talking to potential employers.

Being an English major, all of my classes are comprised of 30 students or less; my smallest has three or four on a slow day. This allows students to form close bonds with instructors, should they so desire. I've personally used three such professors as references when I was pursuing a position at the Collegiate Times, and I'm convinced their influence was crucial in my being accepted. I'm also confident that I will be able to call upon these relationships to assist my career in the near future. This semester I've become well-versed in HTML, XML and similar languages and programs by taking "Writing for the Web" and "Creating User Documentation." I'm extremely impressed with the Professional Writing requirements within the English major here at Virginia Tech for the simple fact that including courses such as these provides real-world application of the skills we acquire, differentiating us from our peers. An example of this occurred just this morning; I coded a website for a group presentation in another class. My fellow classmates were blown away at the design, and asked how I was able to create such a site. In reality, the coding was quite basic, but the fact that I had taken these HTML courses set me light-years ahead of them in this subject matter.

Whether the classroom encompasses 30 students or 300, Virginia Tech professors are personable, intelligent, accredited, and supportive. Throughout my academic career I have experienced a wide variety of courses within my communication major, marketing minor, English minor, and multiple electives. Each course was unique, and was taught by a professor in which I will forever remember for some important aspect they taught me about academics, society, peers, family, or most importantly, my future. Class participation is incredible. I have been in lectures of 350 students where volunteers were regular, and whose responses were inspiring and simply phenomenal. It is because of these other participatory students that I have gained such confidence to participate myself, for other students thrive on the opinions and thoughts of their peers. The only exciting feeling about leaving Virginia Tech is that I am reassured each day that my future is certain. I have received incredible information from professors and peers about building my resume, cover letter, job seeking, internship seeking, graduate schools, interviewing processes, and more. More than one course actually required a resume for an assignment, where the career center service would speak to our class and help us individually in class. Virginia Tech academia has allowed me to find myself and has given me the confidence required to land a successful future career.

Being an English major, all of my classes are comprised of 30 students or less; my smallest has three or four on a slow day. This allows students to form close bonds with professors, should they so desire. I've personally used three such professors as references when I was pursuing a position at the Collegiate Times, and I'm convinced their influence was crucial in my acceptance. I'm also confident that I will be able to call upon these relationships to assist my career in the near future. This semester I've become well-versed in HTML, XML and similar languages and programs by taking "Writing for the Web" and "Creating User Documentation." I'm extremely impressed with the Professional Writing requirements within the English major here at Virginia Tech, for the simple fact that including courses such as these provides real-world application to the skills we acquire, differentiating us from our peers. An example of this occurred just this morning; I coded a website for a group presentation in another class. My fellow classmates were blown away at the design, and asked how I was able to create such a site. In reality, the coding was quite basic, but the fact that I had taken these HTML courses set me light-years ahead of them in this subject matter.

There is a reason you get reaction that you do when you tell people you go to Virginia Tech. Virginia Tech regarded as one of the top universities in the country. To be able to put Virginia Tech on your resume is something you work very hard for. The Professors here are among the top in the country. My comparative governmet professor had to end class three classes early because Turkey's government asked him to come speak for them at a conference. I was always told that I'd only be a number as a student at a big university. That could not be farther from the truth. My professors from last year still remember my name. Every single professor I've had I've developed some sort of relationship with. I got breakfast with one of my professors before class last week. These people love to teach and will help you out whenever you need it. The academics here are challenging but completely manageable. You're going to have to pay attention in class and you're going to have to study, but getting straight A's is very realistic if you work hard.

Like I said in my previous post, at first when taking general classes, I didnt likehow big they were because you didnt get to really know other students, or even the professor. However, once you choose a major or minor and really get into taking classes for that, your classes get smaller and more interactive. I am a Communication major (which I LOVE), and and Engish minor at VT. My typical classes are about 20 people. It allows me to get to know my professors really well, as well as other students in my classes. All of my teachers know my name, and can name me in class. I like this because it makes me feel like not just "one in a crowd." As for what I am learning here, I really enjoy what I am doing in my major and my minor. All of my classes are relevant to "the real world" and I can see how I will use skills and information I have learned in class in my profession some day. My classes are stimulating and relevant to what I want to do as a profession, and I think the required in major and minor classes are great. They really focus on the field of study that they are in.

As an English major, most of my classes have fewer than 30 students, and all of my professors know my name. In my experience, professors (even those teaching 100+ student Chemistry courses!) have been happy to help students by answering emails quickly and providing office hours. The most unique class I've taken at Virginia Tech would have to be "Literature and Ecology." We probably read 100 pages a week, but the reading was some of the most interesting I've ever come across, and participating in class discussions was an eye-opening experience every time. I never thought I would study the Theory of Anarchy and Herman Melville in the same course, but we did--and comparing the two was totally fascinating. Though I've loved my English classes, I did not enjoy taking math at Virginia Tech. If you're not studying a math-intensive major, you only have two take 6 hours. However, the lower-level math courses (below Engineering Calculus) are taught through the Math Emporium. The Math Empo is a large computer lab located off-campus (easily accessible by bus), where you use online math modules to teach yourself. Your math teacher is available once a week for optional review, and he or she will usually go over problems on the overhead. Additionally, Emporium employees circulate the lab during daytime hours to answer questions and help students work out problems. However, Math Empo classes demand great time-management skills and the ability to learn from an online textbook. They're do-able, but most students I've talked to don't enjoy them.

When first entering the college, you will most likely be in classrooms with hundreds of students. However, as you narrow your major down, you will be in smaller classes similar to what you were used to in highschool. The further you get in your college career, the closer you get to your teachers. The classes offered at Tech are wide and diverse. You can take a class of 3000 learning relevant news and receiving a free comedy show with Boyer's famous World Regions Class. You can even take a course on Wine Tasting. Being an English major, I really enjoyed ALL of my English courses. We tend to read alot of books that are relevant to our lives. Furthermore, we go into deep discussion about these books and I really enjoy attending these classes. I love being in the English Department--everyone is very caring, knowledgeable, and professional. I know I will keep in touch with a lot of my professors in the future. The academics here are taken seriously, but are, at the same time, enjoyable. I do not find students to be extremely competitive, though you will always find some at every school. Overall, I find Tech's academic program to be exemplar. I would recommend anyone who takes their classes seriously and enjoys a good time to come here. I wouldn't rather be anywhere else.

One of the great things about Virginia Tech is that you get the small college feel with the big university benefits. Once a student declares a major and he or she begins taking major-specific courses the classroom size shrinks, conversation within class increases, and strong professor-student and student-student relationships are formed. It makes for a great experience; the student feels more involved in the course and his or her education. It’s a wonderful feeling. Another great things about being a large university: there’s always an abundance of courses to choose from; more than you’ll know what to do with, actually. Believe me, you’ll have a hard time limiting yourself to just fifteen or eighteen credit hours. And the learning doesn’t have to stay in the classroom either. Here’s another great aspect of a large university: Virginia Tech has over 600 student organizations. These range from major related clubs to honor societies to sports clubs to Quidditch—yes, broomsticks and all. And if there isn’t a club that interests you, all you need is two other people and a faculty advisor and you can create your own! Going back to the professors though. They’re great. Every professor I’ve had has been incredibly passionate about the course they’re teaching. And that passion is infectious. It makes you enjoy the subject and the work. It makes for a great experience. Another thing: their doors are always open—virtual or realistic. They never turn down an opportunity to talk about the course or just life. And it’s all genuine. You can tell they care more about connecting with you, and being a teacher, mentor, and adviser than just about relaying their knowledge. As far as jobs go, Tech is geared toward preparing its students for the future. I get at least ten or more emails a day from my department informing me about business in the area or nationally looking for interns and part-time employees. It’s wonderful to know that the prospects for graduates aren’t as gloomy as the media paints them to be. There are myriads of opportunities, and they’re only growing. And Tech makes sure its graduates are prepared to compete and achieve in the world that awaits them.

When I came to Virginia Tech I expected to be a number, not a name in most, if not all of my classes. Instead I found that, once you get into your major and away from the classes that all freshmen are required to take, classes become small and personal. I have forged relationships with teachers that have encouraged me to take classes with them over and over again. Even in large classes, if you go to your professors office hours and a semi-regular basis they will get to know you and can help you with anything you need. Some of my favorite classes are the workshop or discussion based classes that you can take starting sophomore year where, instead of sitting in nice neat rows facing the front of the classroom, you move the desks into a circle so everyone can see and talk to each other. In those situations everyone becomes the teacher and the actual professor is there to learn just as you are. Those types of classes promote intellectual discussion and a personal openness that I have never experienced before in an academic setting. No matter what your major, if you put in the effort, you will be rewarded with personal relationships, stimulating discussion, and unparalleled experience.