Saturday Q&A: Part II

Saturday Q&A

Frequently Asked Questions from Our Tours...

Every week we'll post answers to prospective students' questions. Some will be FAQs from tours, like this week, and others will be responses to comments and emails received via this blog. If you have a question about a post we've covered previously, comment to ask us for more information. Have we not covered it yet? Email us at UVaSummer14@virginia.edu and we'll reply with an answer!

Are first years allowed to have cars? What is transportation like at UVa?

First year students are not allowed to have cars. UVA is a very walking-friendly campus, and the farthest walk I've ever made from one end of grounds to the other was about 20 minutes. Some students choose to bring bicycles to get to and from class and their dorms or apartments, but the majority of students simply walk from place to place. When there is inclement weather or a student wants to go somewhere far, such as downtown Charlottesville or Barracks Shopping Mall (where there is a grocery store), the bus and trolley system is extremely convenient. All the buses are free for students to use and run from 7:30AM to just past midnight.
--Veronica Mercado

Can people major/take classes in two different academic schools?

One of the questions I get most often on tours is whether or not students are able to double major across schools?

The answer is: Yes. Many of my older friends double major in Systems Engineering within the E-School, but also major in Economics within the college of Arts and Sciences. Also even if you do not want to double major, students from one school can still enroll and take classes from another. As a result, there is a lot of crossing between schools especially early on in a student’s academic career.
--Wyatt Moorer

How do I get involved in Greek Life?

As a new first-year student at UVa, you cannot rush a fraternity or sorority until the spring semester of your first-year. This policy is called deferred rush, and it's designed to allow first-year students to adjust to college life and get to know their dorm mates and hall mates before they begin the process of rush. After your spring semester in your first year, you can still rush Greek Life organizations at UVa during the spring and fall semesters of your second year.

--Will Bennett

Saturday Q&A: Part I

Saturday Q&A

Frequently Asked Questions from Our Tours...

Every week we'll post answers to prospective students' questions. Some will be FAQs from tours, like this week, and others will be responses to comments and emails received via this blog. If you have a question about a post we've covered previously, comment to ask us for more information. Have we not covered it yet? Email us at UVaSummer14@virginia.edu and we'll reply with an answer!

What is it like to come into UVa as an undeclared major?

Normal! As an undeclared major, you'll be in the College of Arts and Sciences--a program that houses over 40 different majors at UVa. You'll also have an assigned advisor within the College and certain area requirements (e.g. mathematics, humanities, non-western perspective) to explore. Working with your advisor and taking classes to fill these requirements will help you find your interests and find a major. You don't need to declare until the end of your second year, and you can even declare multiple majors, change your major, or maybe even switch schools (e.g. to the School of Engineering).

--Jared Morgan

What opportunities are there for students to work while at UVa?

There are many opportunities for jobs on grounds and off grounds! On grounds, students can work for the University in a variety of ways. For example, the University Bookstore hires student employees every semester! The libraries, some academic buildings, the dining services, and departments also hire students for various positions. Students can also search for jobs off grounds at numerous restaurants, shops, studios, companies, political campaigns, Charlottesville paid internships, babysitting, and much more!! You can also sign up for CavLink, which will email students about working opportunities in Charlottesville!

--Chelsea Marcelin

What is upperclassmen housing like at UVa?

All students are required to live on grounds for their first year, but have the option to either continue living in University housing or go off grounds for the rest of their time at the University.  Upperclass housing offered by the University can be apartment style, like the rooms at Lambeth Field, or in a residential hall layout, like the Hereford Residential College.  Students are guaranteed on Grounds housing when they live on grounds the previous year, so all first can stay on grounds if they want, and those second years that live on grounds are guaranteed housing for their third year.  It is about a 50/50 split for second years for living on or off grounds and keeps splitting in half every consecutive year.  Students can rent a house or an apartment if they choose to live off grounds, some of which may be closer to one’s classes or fit a budget better.

--Andrew Barat

To E School, or Not to E School--That's a Good Question

The University has 4 schools one can apply into directly: the College of Arts and Sciences (CLAS), The School of Engineering (E School), School of Architecture (A School), and the School of Nursing. Later, students may apply into specialty schools like Education, Commerce, and Public Policy.

*Note: for UVa, apply the initial school of which you want to be part. For example, nurses do not apply to UVa and then to the nursing program. Some schools do that; we don't.

If you look closely, there are some areas of overlap in between the College and E School, particularly in computer science. Since CS is often the biggest area of debate for E School versus the College, that is where I want to focus.

Thornton Hall, the main Engineering School Building
Photo Credit: http://www.student.virginia.edu/estud/ (another good source if you have questions)

The Requirements:
In the College (assuming the student is not an Echols Scholar), they have several area requirements to fill, including 4 semesters of a foreign language. The complete list may be found at http://artsandsciences.virginia.edu/college/requirements/area/index.html.

The Engineering School does not require a foreign language but has far more math and science requirements, including accompanying labs. To learn more on the exact requirements and electives, please see: http://www.seas.virginia.edu/advising/undergradhandbook.php#requirements

Picking a Major and Double Majoring:
In the E school, students choose their majors in early April of their first year. They have the chance to attend open houses and ask questions. Students can double major in the E school; however, my understanding is that with E school requirements, picking a second major that is unrelated (such as English) is harder in the E school. Thus, it has less flexibility.

In the College, students have until the end of their 2nd year to choose a major. A typical college major is 30 credits. Students will take 120 credits in their time. Double majoring is not unusual, but students have the option for a broader experience with course topics because the College has so many more courses to offer.

Scheduling and Planning
For students in the College, planning can be a nightmare because there are so many options. That said, it can also be exciting because there are so many options available. The E school has a more structured expectation of course progression than the College. This makes planning easier for E schoolers, but it can be frustrating if E schoolers want to take things in a different order or if they want an elective in the College that does not mesh well with E school class times.

Students in the E school can (and will) take College classes, and College students are welcome to take engineering courses. In that way, there are very few restrictions on either set of students.

The Major Itself
The E school offers the B.S. in Computer Science whereas the College only has a B.A. available. E schoolers are required to take more computing classes, while College students have integration electives (college classes that reveal the applications of computing). Also, if you want Computer Engineering, then you have to go to the E school because the College does not offer that program.

Thesis
All Engineering school students must write a thesis in their fourth year. College students are not required to do that across the board, but some majors (like Human Biology) do require it.

(Photo credit: http://writelikecrazy.wordpress.com/category/organizing/)

Please also consider visiting http://www.seas.virginia.edu/admin/ricehall/renderings.php to learn more about what one of the University's newest buildings has to offer, especially for computer science majors from either school.