University of Virginia-Main Campus Top Questions

Yes and no. Some student fit the stereotype others don't. It's up to you to decide where you are on that spectrum.

Some people may have a misconstrued vision of UVA as a conservative, privileged, traditional, southern school or in layman's terms: snobby, rich kids. I'm sure those people exist somewhere, but they're such a loud minority here. The majority of us are caring, hard-working, and open-minded. It only takes one bad apple to spoil the bunch. What people who believe in those stereotypes don't realize is how much bigger we are than a stereotype. How diverse, merited, and incredible of a student body we are. I have a friend who is on an academic scholarship who wouldn't have been able to attend otherwise due to financial difficulties. I have a friend who seems like the typical jock/frat boy, but he's also the leader of my dorm's relay for life team to fight against cancer. I have a friend who is a sorority sister and a biomedical engineer. I have a friend who is a fullback on the football team and a member of one of UVA's best all male a cappella groups. We're so much more than what outsiders think they see on the surface.

Some people may have a misconstrued vision of UVA as a conservative, privileged, traditional, southern school or in layman's terms: snobby, rich kids. I'm sure those people exist somewhere, but they're such a loud minority here. The majority of us are caring, hard-working, and open-minded. It only takes one bad apple to spoil the bunch. What people who believe in those stereotypes don't realize is how much bigger we are than a stereotype. How diverse, merited, and incredible of a student body we are. I have a friend who is on an academic scholarship who wouldn't have been able to attend otherwise due to financial difficulties. I have a friend who seems like the typical jock/frat boy, but he's also the leader of my dorm's relay for life team to fight against cancer. I have a friend who is a sorority sister and a biomedical engineer. I have a friend who is a fullback on the football team and a member of one of UVA's best all male a cappella groups. We're so much more than what outsiders think they see on the surface.

No, it is not accurate

The stereotype of students being at UVA is that all they do is party but that is not accurate. Even though many students give priority to their social life, their academic life is also well-balance and taken care of. Students are able to balance and pick their academics over going to parties when needed.

The stereotype of students being rich white kids who are at UVA to party is not accurate. Even though many students give priority to their social life, their academic life is also well-balance and taken care of. Students are able to balance and pick their academics over going to parties when needed.

Only 1/3 is Greek, there are about 30{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of UVa students who receive some sort of financial aid, we take our classes seriously and want to be successful. We believe most people discredit us by being a public school but that only drives us to achieve success.

quite far from being accurate. Yes, there are people here who are rich and dress a little preppy, but after getting to know them, you forget about that little detail and realize that you have lots in common!

While the preppy stereotype annually reasserts itself, there are major amendments: -First, though some of the students at times prance around as elitists, this is not wholly inappropriate. Many were raised in beautiful, rich neighborhoods, and were bred into an almost aristocratic lifestyle. Consequently, they were sent to some of the best magnet/gifted schools in the world, and thus enjoy the benefits of the highest education possible. Thus, though still partying American kids of the 21st century, these individuals are brilliant, charming, articulate, driven, and will no doubt be the next world leaders. -Second, such attitude is by no measure universal. As an enormous, dynamic institution, many of the students find a variety of crowds. There is a ton of cultural diversity, with probably 45 percent of the student body representing a convergence of Asian-, African-, Indian- and Latin Americans, as well as students from all over the United States, not to mention International visitors. Additionally, so many of us do not fulfill the mold. While we may be affected into dressing more stylish, many are not involved with traditional culture, but support instead the "orange fever" movement, made up of a more quirky, creative, and individualistic crowd. Those of us (myself included) also tend to be more economically diverse, many taking advantage of the ACCESS UVA financial aid program.

Yes

They are all the same - not compared to some other schools (for example BC, my first university) but compared to state schools in california, yes. They wear pearls and fancy clothes - yes. to the fullest.

For the most part, yes. Sometimes it's sickening. I feel like a lot of people only act the way they do in order to live up the idea of what they think a UVA student is -- but not everyone does that. There are enough people ignoring the stereotype and living their own lives to keep me from going crazy.

We certainly have a strong fraternity base, and it is sometimes very easy to pick out who's in one, but by no means is this universal.

some are

Nope. Not all are rich and not all are snobs. Everyone is very friendly.

Very few people fit the stereotype naturally, but I feel like many (if not most) people try. Those not wrapped up in fulfilling this image are perfectly fine, friendly, and funny.

I know the one about UVA being racist is absolutely NOT true. To some extent, yes, there are preps and jocks and stuck-up rich people, but lots of schools have people like that too. I think UVA being so big there are people from all walks of life and with many different interests, so it is easy to find your niche because there are so many options.

Yes, we wear nice clothing, but definitelly don't party with wine and cheese -- it's like any other college party. Sure, some people may be upper class, but that doesn't mean everybody is.

Not at all. There may be snobby people, but for the most part, you can find that many people are down to earth. And many people without grants and scholarships aren't necessarily rich; several have taken out loans, me being one of them!

I think that there are definitely people at UVA who fit this stereotype, but there are also thousands of students who don't.