The University of Virginia

Date: Jun 23 2011
Major: Economics (This Major's Salary over time)
UVa is largely what you make of it. Attending a large state school means that you will be given a wealth of opportunity outside of the classroom. However, the classes themselves, at least in my major, were usually would have at least 60 people and often 100 or more. That is entirely unacceptable for a institution that is so highly ranked. I felt cheated in my education as result of the lack of emphasis on teaching in some classes. Moreover, large classes were graded on a curve where I felt that the focus on competition took away from the learning. That being said, there were certainly some diamonds in the rough. Some professors were excellent and it was a pleasure learning from them. Consequently, they usually teach the few small upper level courses that are difficult to register for all but fourth years.

The social scene is my main complaint about UVa. Some reviewers have pointed out that there is a diversity of people and personalities at UVa - that may be true but people tend to be very segregated and conservative in their habits. Main scene at UVa revolves around Greek life or barhopping for the older crowd. There is a strong sense of status and entitlement that is prevalent throughout the campus, sometimes afflicting even the traditionally more modest. Those groups that are not part of the mainstream drinking culture tend to hold themselves above everyone else and thus many clubs/student organizations function like cults. It is at times difficult to make friends because classes are large and the cliches are too exclusive, making the whole experience intimidating. Simply put, there are not enough people who are outwardly friendly or easygoing.