Fall on the Mall

Dear Readers,

Here's a snapshot of the greatest time of year at the University:

Crisp leaves crunch under your feet and fall from the trees as you walk to class.

The Lawn is sprinkled with piles of orange and red begging you to jump in them. 

Everything feels like the epitome of college. 

It's fall in Charlottesville, and its magical. 

Suddenly, you're inspired to explore a little more of Charlottesville. 

The Historic Downtown Charlottesville Mall

Just a short trolley ride from central grounds, the Historic Downtown Charlottesville Mall offers a look into the greater Charlottesville community. Ranked as one of the most successful and beautiful outdoor malls in America, the Downtown Mall is host to a number of activities that make for the perfect getaway anytime of year. 

At the end of the mall is the Downtown Pavilion, where anything from concerts to political rallies come for UVa students and Charlottesville community members to enjoy.

Pretty Lights performs at the Pavilion

UVA Students wait in line to hear the President speak Downtown

President Obama speaks at the Downtown Pavillion on the first day of classes

Clothing stores like Urban Outfitters, Jean Theory, Vintage Vixen, and Young Men's Shop are great for shopping, while unique independent bookstores provide peaceful spaces to study and explore whatever your heart desires.

The multi-level Urban Outfitters on the Mall

A quiet reading nook in "Read It Again, Sam" Used Bookstore

A collection of leather-bound books in Blue Whale Books 

Charity walks also happen on the Downtown Mall, bringing together UVa students and the Charlottesville community to fight for different causes together.

Alzheimer's Walk 2012 on the Downtown Mall

Community members and students alike participate

The Pre-Med club AMSA volunteers at the walk Downtown

Street performers sing, busk, and play jazz music, while A cappella groups and flash mobs often spring up and draw sizable crowds.

Great food is always available on the Mall too! From Italian to burgers and dessert, the Mall has it all, and just outside the main stretch of mall lies the greatest little building ever built: a building full of crepes.

Shrimp pesto pizza from Sal's Caffe Italia

The hub of the best crepes ever made on earth

Blue cheese burger from Citizen Burger Bar


Last, but certainly not least, the Downtown Mall offers one of UVa's great traditions, the Farmer's Market. Every Saturday from 7-12  the City Market offers fresh food and homemade products from local Charlottesville producers.

Handsewn children's clothing

Fresh veggies 

One-of-a-kind paintings 

One of many fresh and unique juices

Fall on the Historic Downtown Mall is one of the things I love most about my school. Charlottesville is such a unique and beautiful place to live and learn, and with so much going on at the Mall as well as on Grounds, there is never a dull moment.

Happy applying!

GO HOOS,

Emi 

WahooWhy?

Hello Readers,

Let me introduce myself, and the "college student intro" format you will hear and use for the next four years of College beginning at Orientation all the way through Graduation. (name)My name is Emily, (year and school) I'm a Second Year in the College of Arts & Sciences on the (intended track/major/minor) Pre-Med Track, planning on majoring in Biology and a humanity I love once I figure part that out. (hometown, explanation of where it actually is) I'm from Chesapeake, Virginia about 15 minutes from Norfolk's Navy Ships and 15 minutes from the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, so needless to say before my move to Charlottesville I was never far from water and definitely never saw any mountains. (activities) At UVA, I am a Resident Advisor in the McCormick "Old Dorms," a member of a Sorority within the PanHellenic Community on grounds, and active in Pre-Med clubs as well as other activities around grounds and at the UVA Hospital. 

So, why choose UVA? What's so great about Virginia? What do all of those top rankings for campus beauty and academics really mean? What are the students really like? And, seriously, what is up with the Hogwartz lingo and all the pearls?

The college decision process comes with an abundance of questions, as it should when choosing the place you will live and learn for the next four years of your life. Along with the other student bloggers, I will be answering the questions I know I had upon beginning the college decision process, as well as some questions I come across myself even now as a second year. Look for my posts to especially answer questions about the Pre-Med track here at UVA, the real scoop on Greek Life, and closer looks at the traditions of our great school and the adventures that can be had both on and off grounds, beyond your typical admissions fact sheet info.

Until next time, 

GO HOOS!