If you’re considering applying to UVA or if you’ve applied and been accepted, you probably have a ton of questions about what life is really like for your average Wahoo. Below is a collection of the most-asked questions about student life, extracurricular activities and clubs, student support and more.
How many students are enrolled at UVA?
There are 16,793 undergraduates. Our size means we can offer over 1,500 classes every semester and over 1,000 student organizations to our students from all over the world.
How diverse is UVA’s student population?
The University is composed of a diverse student body. UVA students hail from throughout the United States, over 100 foreign countries and various socioeconomic, ethnic, and racial backgrounds. By living and learning in this environment, students have the opportunity to develop their understanding of cultures outside their own and broaden their knowledge of human behavior.
Are out-of-state students overwhelmed by Virginians?
Although 68% of students are from Virginia, 32% are from outside of Virginia, coming from most of the fifty states and over 100 nations across the world. Students at the University can interact with people from many different backgrounds and geographic regions, ranging from Maine to Georgia to Colorado to Peru.
What is UVA’s academic reputation?
The University is considered one of the premier academic institutions in the United States. Fifty-five Rhodes Scholars have graduated from Virginia; only five other American institutions have produced more. University of Virginia professors are women and men who are highly respected in their fields and include Guggenheim fellows, Fulbright Scholars, winners of the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award, and a two-time poet laureate of the United States.
UVA is a research institution where typically 66% of undergraduates participate in compelling research across disciplines. U.S. News and World Report has consistently ranked the University of Virginia as the top public university in the country. The University’s atmosphere fosters a great love of the liberal arts and emphasizes active intellectual inquiry and dialogue.
What is “Student Self-Governance”?
UVA was founded with the goal of cultivating citizen leaders to govern (what was at the time) an infant democracy. In continuing that aspiration, students are provided with a variety of opportunities to govern almost every aspect of life on Grounds: the oldest student-run Honor System in the nation, the University Judiciary Committee, Student Council, The Cavalier Daily, the Chinese Student Association, Astronomy Club, and over 1,000 other student-run organizations.
The emphasis on student self-governance has produced one of the most actively involved student bodies in the country. Students have a hand in the day-to-day running of the University and leave UVA with valuable leadership and management experience as a result.
Does social life revolve around the Greek system?
No, not at all. The sorority and fraternity system is strong, but only part of the social life here. Approximately one third of our students are members of the Greek system, and many Greek functions are open to all students and thus are integrated into the whole of the University.
Hundreds of other student organizations and social outlets are available, from spelunking to soccer, theater to debate. There also are many restaurants, shops, coffeehouses, theaters, and concert venues within walking distance. Students receive a weekly Connections email, which is an extensive listing of events and activities taking place on and around Grounds. The UVA Alumni Association also hosts or facilitates a wide variety of activities and events for students, including bingo nights, study breaks, food events and more!
What does your sports program include?
As a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, the University sponsors twelve Division IA sports for men and thirteen for women. Additionally, we offer 60 club sports that compete regionally against other schools and more than 64 intramural sports, including inner tube water polo.
Men’s Division I sports include: basketball, baseball, cross-country, diving, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, track, tennis, swimming, and wrestling.
Women’s Division I sports include: basketball, crew, cross-country, diving, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track, and volleyball.
Do you have an ROTC program?
All military branches have programs here. Students dress on Tuesdays and take some military science classes but overall find that the ROTC program is comprehensive without being too time-consuming.
What support services exist?
A wealth of support services are provided by the Office of the Dean of Students, the Office of African-American Affairs, University Career Services, the Counseling Center, University Peer Advising and many others. All these offices advertise their services to students in the first-year houses in the hopes that students will feel free to ask for help when they need it.
Is crime a problem at UVA?
While our crime rate is extremely low, there is some crime at the University of Virginia just as there is crime at any other university. However, University students are proactive rather than reactive in their approach to crime. Emergency telephones, the University Police Department, the Student Escort Service, and the Honor System all make life here safer. More importantly, students are encouraged to look out for each other and to take their own safety and the safety of others seriously. Please see detailed information on our comprehensive Hoos Got Your Back Program for more details.
How up-to-date is UVA’s technology?
UVA has led the way in integrating technology into the learning experience through special initiatives such as the Electronic Text Center, the Digital Media Center and the Geospatial and Statistical Data Center. Most buildings and all undergraduate dormitories are wired for direct network access. All students have access to 24-hour computer facilities, and most classes at UVA have a website associated with them. Students and faculty exchange more than three-quarters of a million e-mail messages each day.
How happy are UVA students?
UVA students tend to be happy with their time on Grounds, with 97% of first-year students returning for their second year. The wealth of intellectual, cultural, and social opportunities make this a place students can thrive, cultivate their futures, and return as alumni throughout the years to reconnect with each other and with the next generations.