University of Virginia

University of Virginia (UVA) is one of the top best public schools in the U.S. I never thought I could attend this amazing institute. Even though I got acceptance admission letter from this school in summer last year, I still not believed that I could study here. The reason was I came from a very low-income family. When I lived in Cambodia, I couldn't even afford a one-dollar monthly tuition class. But I knew that UVA is an amazing school and investing in education is the best investment. Therefore,... Read More I decided to visit the school. I find out this great institution also offers a decent support to need-base student like me. What I found after my first semester at UVA was that this school not only provide a lot of supports to students financially, academically, and socially, it also has the best education system and phenomenal academic program. After finishing my first semester, I became a better person because of what I have learnt inside and outside of this marvelous institution. This school has helped me grow as a student and a person very quickly. Because UVA is such an amazing place to grow personally, academically, and mentally, now I am starting my own organization to share the knowledge and experience of UVAs students to other students around the world. I strongly recommend this school to any student who looks forward to pursuing a real quality of education. I confidently assert that the University of Virginia is one of the best universities in the world.

I was dead-set on attending William & Mary when I was looking at universities in Virginia. In fact, I only applied to UVA because they had extended their deadline and I had some extra time. I am so happy I did. The University of Virginia is an amazing place to learn. Founded by Thomas Jefferson, the grounds of UVA are made to be a place focused on creating a community of learning. There is a group for every type of student, whether it be greek life or LARPing. If it doesn't exist you can create it... Read More and the university will support your efforts. As for academics, the university is touted as being one of the best universities in the country, especially for the cost of tuition. When I was a student, I had professors who had been civil rights leaders and instrumental in the Palestinian-Israeli Peace Talks. Even though you will have large lectures in your 101 classes you still get to have one on one discussion in the seminars for that lecture. The best part about UVA is its traditions and culture. It would not be uncommon for students to walk across grounds (campus) from an a capella concert humming the Good Ol' song (school song) to gather at the Rotunda and watch streakers make their way down the length of the Lawn (the quad) before whispering to the statue of Thomas Jefferson "Good Night." This is exactly what happened to me when I visited UVA as an incoming first year and what made me so excited to attend the University.

The curriculum at UVA is rigorous, and the academic competition between students is absolutely cut throat; this also applies to ALL extracurricular activities and fraternities/sororities. While the actual UVA grounds and surrounding Charlottesville, VA landscape are absolutely breathtaking, the faculty and students BOTH leave MUCH to be desired. Nearly each student believes they are the next JFK, and every professor a modern day Einstein, both of which are far from accurate. The faculty is very hands... Read More off towards students, unapproachable, and extremely hard to converse with before and after class, even during their posted supposed "office hours." They clearly DO NOT want to help students succeed, and see their job as simply a title and resume booster since UVA is very historic and academically prestigious. For all non-STEM majors, the grading is EXTREMELY biased, and professors make it blatantly obvious who their individual favorite students are (as in who is a brown noser), and who agrees with their personal worldview. Any sort of grading rubric or standard is non-existent, and they DO NOT reward hard work and well thought out papers, unless their personal philosophy happens to align with yours that is. I received a 3.87 cumulative GPA, but only after learning the hard way that EVERY professor ONLY wants to read essays, term papers, and tests which coincide with their viewpoint; and that is un-arguably reflected in your grades. The students... now they are some of the most self entitled, pretentious, fake people you will find virtually anywhere. I am currently at the Harvard Kennedy School for my Master's, and the typical students here is exponentially more down to earth, sociable, and rational than any student you will find at UVA... and even though UVA is a top 25 university... it isn't Harvard, but don't you dare tell them that.