Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Top Questions

Our students don't satisfy any one stereotype. Our Engineering school attracts brilliant minds from across the globe, producing students that compete in various science events nationwide. The rural location of the campus produces a large portion of "country" students. Greek life is also a prominent fixture; around 16 percent of the undergraduate population is currently involved. One thing everyone shares, however, is an immense sense of pride in our football team. This fact is most recently reinforced by the Sugar Bowl bid we received above higher-ranked teams, based on the selection committee's belief that Virginia Tech fans would be more likely to flock to New Orleans in support of our team than the other candidates.

At Virginia Tech, you don't really hear much about stereotypes. Rather, we are more a complete group of people who works together and supports one another. Some people ask "what is a 'Hokie?'" I think the best answer to give is that a Hokie is someone with love and pride for Virginia Tech and fellow students who go there, or alumni who went there. We are said to have the most school spirit of anyone in the surrounding Virginia area. If this is considered a "stereotype" then I would have to say I agree. Each student here has such a deep love and passion for our campus, school, and academics. We strive to be the best we can be in all aspects of work and play. We work hard in classes, yet find the time to cheer on our athletics teams during games. Some of the best times are Saturdays during football games when everyone in Lane Stadium starts jumping when "Enter Sandman" starts playing. At that moment we are all there for one thing- to support our fellow Hokies. You can find support from a fellow Hokie anywhere you go. From just walking on campus (and not being able to go over 20 yards without seeing someone wearing orange or maroon, or any Hokie attire,) to being off campus and seeing alumni or locals who give you a friendly, "go Hokies!" when you pass by. It is clear that the Hokies are loved and supported by many. Events such as April 16, 2007, have just made our campus life, activities, and support for peers and professors that much stronger. We were faced with tragedy and grew stronger from it, like a family. We know the importance of never taking a day for granted, and we will always remember those who were lost on that day. Four years ago, I made the decision to come to Virginia Tech and I can say it is one of the best decisions I have ever made. I wouldn't want to go anywhere else for my years of college, and I can't picture being anything other than a Hokie!

The two most common stereotypes of Virginia Tech students are that they are either members of fraternities and sororities or engineering nerds. In truth, about 16{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of Virginia Tech's undergrads are involved in Greek life, and Virginia Tech's College of Engineering is the largest of its kind in the state. Sure, plenty of frat boys and sorority girls live up to their stereotypes, but most don't. In fact, all of VT's Greek organizations contribute many community service hours and/or raise funds for charities. And if Greek life isn't something you're interested in joining, don't sweat it. Virginia Tech is home to many other student organizations, including my personal favorite, our radio station (WUVT FM 90.7). As for engineering nerds--you're bound to meet a few. But most students in the College of Engineering are just like students in any other department: they want to learn, but they also want to enjoy the college experience.

I would say the largest misconception about Virginia Tech (academically) is that it’s primarily focused on the colleges’ of Engineering, Architecture, and Business; and likewise, all the students are of those majors. Now, this misconception isn’t conceived unjustly. All three programs are ranked nationally, highly at that, and all three bring in large amounts of prospective students. However, the second largest college within Virginia Tech—Engineering being the largest—isn’t Architecture, or Business, or even Science; it’s the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences. And they’re achieving national recognition as well: “Innovative kitchen designs by three Virginia Tech apparel, housing, and resource management students landed them in the top 10 out of 401 college and university competitors in the national National Kitchen and Bath Association/General Electric (NKBA/GE) Charette Competition” (http://www.vtnews.vt.edu/articles/2011/05/051311-clahs-kitchen.html). “Poets & Writers Magazine recently recognized Virginia Tech as 35th among 527 MFA programs nationally, positioning it in the top 7 percent. In addition, the Virginia Tech program is ranked No. 10 in poetry, and its trend in ranking is ‘up’” (http://www.vtnews.vt.edu/articles/2011/01/011811-clahs-poetryrank.html#_blank). So, it’s not just the stereotypes that are making national waves, and it’s not the stereotypes that house the second largest college at Virginia Tech. Though, it’s hard to get rid of those engineers.

According to other schools, we are rednecks and hillbillies. We are farmers from the backwoods of Southwestern Virginia. But if you want to know who we are really, we are a superior mix of people from Northern Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley. We are from the streets of Richmond and the shores of New Jersey. And yes, we are even from the farmlands of Virginia. We are accepted as being the top engineers and architects. We do not have a big emphasis on Greek life but love the outdoors. We are friendly, smart, SPIRITED, and most of all, happy!

While Virginia Tech has a strong presence of Greek life (over a dozen fraternities and even more sororities), the overall student body is well balanced and--with a population of over 25,000--any incoming students are apt to find those with whom they wish to associate. Being a large school, there aren't the "clicks" associated with smaller, more private universities, and if one wishes to avoid the "jocks" they will find plenty of geeks--likewise the reverse is adequately true, and overall Virginia Tech boasts a balanced and respectful student body.

One of my favorite things about this school is that it is big enough that there is no stereotype. If you want Greek life, there are fraternities and sororities abound. But that by no means implies that Greek life is the only life, as it is at some other schools. If you are more interested in intramural sports or other interest groups we have a club or team to satisfy you. People from a multitude of different backgrounds, with as many interests as you can name come to Virginia Tech because, no matter what, they fit in.

It is difficult to identify a specific stereotype at Virginia Tech because our student body is so large. However, I will say that there are a lot of "Geeks" because we are a science and engineering school. As an English Literature and Creative Writing major, I do not interact with these students very often, but I am very much aware of their presence. Virginia Tech is such a great institution because it offers programs that interest students all across the spectrum. I love going to a university that has so much to offer.

At Virginia Tech, it's nearly impossible to label one particular stereotype. With over 30,000 full-time students, you will find nearly every stereotype imaginable. At VT, you'll find a range of people from your nature-loving hippy to your jacked-up football players, and everything in between. If you think you don't fit in at VT, think again; because it is almost guaranteed you can find people with similar interests as yourself.

I would say the largest misconception about Virginia Tech (academically) is that it’s primarily focused on the colleges’ of Engineering, Architecture, and Business; and likewise, all the students are of those majors. Now, this misconception isn’t conceived unjustly. All three programs are ranked nationally, highly at that, and all three bring in large amounts of prospective students. However, the second largest college within Virginia Tech—Engineering being the largest—isn’t Architecture, or Business, or even Science; it’s the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences. And they’re achieving national recognition as well: “Innovative kitchen designs by three Virginia Tech apparel, housing, and resource management students landed them in the top 10 out of 401 college and university competitors in the national National Kitchen and Bath Association/General Electric (NKBA/GE) Charette Competition” (http://www.vtnews.vt.edu/articles/2011/05/051311-clahs-kitchen.html). “Poets & Writers Magazine recently recognized Virginia Tech as 35th among 527 MFA programs nationally, positioning it in the top 7 percent. In addition, the Virginia Tech program is ranked No. 10 in poetry, and its trend in ranking is ‘up’” (http://www.vtnews.vt.edu/articles/2011/01/011811-clahs-poetryrank.html#_blank). So, it’s not just the stereotypes that are making national waves, and it’s not the stereotypes that house the second largest college at Virginia Tech. Though, it’s hard to get rid of those engineers.