The University of Virginia's College - Wise

Date: Apr 09 2005
Major: Undecided (This Major's Salary over time)
This is overall a good school. Most professors are great, and some are truly exceptional in terms of caring about individual students and their learning. There are a handful of professors who could care less about their jobs as teachers, though, and unfortunately, as someone else has said, you will definately have that professor again if they are teaching within your major.

Classes are usually the same average difficulty, although there are those classes where half the students fail (usually taught by one of the above horrible professors), or classes that could be taken with your eyes closed. I can't say if the classes are as challenging as other universities, though, because this is the only college I have attended. But the math and science departments are very difficult and most likely as rigorous as any other liberal arts school.

The campus is small, so you'll always see a familiar face (which could be a blessing or a curse depending on how you see it). You will definately meet people (even local students) who hate the surrounding town, so if you can't find ways to amuse yourself, or become severely depressed without malls or theaters to make it through a week, then a more urban college is certainly a better idea. Most people here -are- cliquish, because most are locals who attend with the same group of friends from high school. Many are from other areas of Virginia, though, and most people are relatively friendly.

A word of advice: Don't cheat! This school is hyperfocused on cheating. Just the thought of cheating will almost send you to the "Honor Court," which almost certainly means expulsion, or if your lucky, suspension and a failed class.

Overall, as long as prestige isn't a factor, this is a good school to choose. Small (usually 15-25 people a class), average difficulty classes, semi-friendly students, and 95% of the professors are helpful and friendly.