University of Virginia
Responses from the Student Interview
From a student who identifies as Major: Pre-Professional Architecture
Minor: Global Sustainability
Student Self Identifies as: White Questioning Female
Summary
I’m involved in a work-study program trying to increase nature design in cities, and provide cities more access to nature. It’s a global network.
Background
Gender Identity: Female
Race/Ethnicity: White
Sexual Orientation: Questioning
High School Experience: Private arts boarding school in Michigan with a graduating class of about 150 students. There was a culture of going to college.
First Generation College Student: No
Major: Pre-Professional Architecture
Minor: Global Sustainability
Extracurricular Activities: I’m involved in a work-study program trying to increase nature design in cities, and provide cities more access to nature. It’s a global network.
Academic Experience
Can you describe the weekly coursework for your major?
The school itself has a different experience than if you’re just in the college. It’s pretty intensive. You start out taking a three-credit studio, so it’s not a huge demand on your time. Second semester you take a four-credit studio. When you get to your second year, you take a six-credit studio which consumes a lot of your time. They structure it by giving you individual projects, and by this year you’re probably working on one singular thing for the whole semester. This semester we were designing hybrid buildings for downtown Charlottesville. The instructor will go through and critique your work. At this point, we’re working with CAD, Rhino, Photoshop, and a variety of other programs. Right now, we’re taking a class that specializes in Rhin. Your first year you take two architectural history courses, and this year we’re taking a design philosophy course. It’s a combined writing and philosophy course. There aren’t many opportunities to take courses outside the School of Architecture you’re second and third year.
Is there anything you think the Architecture department does especially well or poorly academically?
They do a good job making sure their program is rigorous. Anyone who’s not interested in the degree or the work they’re doing, probably isn’t going to be there very long. There’s a culture of overwork. For my final review, from Friday until Monday, I slept maybe seven hours, and the night before the review, I didn’t sleep at all.
How would you describe the learning environment? Do you think it’s particularly competitive or collaborative?
The nature of architecture is pretty collaborative. That’s one thing I really like about it. In a program like pre-med, you probably have people competing for the same spot, but in architecture, everyone’s aware of how difficult the field is. I’d say if you don’t have some collaboration between people, or if you’re not talking about your projects, you’re not taking advantage of the program. I think everyone goes out of their way to help each other. The environment is healthy.
How accessible are your professors?
They’ve been pretty accessible. They have regular office hours, and in architecture specifically, a lot of them are there on the weekends. If you’re in a studio you have a section of adjunct professors. You have someone leading your studio, but then you’re split into sections with a singular professor working with you, so you get access to them on a smaller scale. They know who you are, and they talk with you about your projects the entire way through.
Why did you pick the Architecture Program? Are you happy with your choice?
I think I’m happy with my choice. It’s a great way to access a number of different fields. A lot of people who do Architecture for their undergraduate degree don’t necessarily go on to do Architecture, just because it’s so versatile as a degree.
Reasons to Attend
1) There’s a lot of resources available to you.
2) They’re pretty responsive about financial aid.
3) It’s a good environment for interdisciplinary work and research opportunities.
Reasons Not to Attend
1) If you’re looking to be surrounded by the opportunities of a larger city. They are still available to you here, but it may be more difficult to access in terms of transportation and housing if you want to be located somewhere larger.
Around Campus
Where have you lived on campus?
Freshman: Malone in a single.
Sophomore: Off-campus apartment in a single, with one other roommate.
How was transitioning from Michigan to Charlottesville, VA?
It hasn’t been too difficult. Michigan was already some ways away, so I got used to being separated from home. If you’re really busy and engaged in what you’re doing, you don’t really notice how far away you are.
Can you describe the level of safety on and around campus?
I feel pretty safe. I live off-campus now and still feel ok walking home at all hours of the night. We have a blue light system and ambassadors that stand around. They have yellow jackets, so if you need anything or feel unsafe, you could always ask them.
What is your favorite place to get away from campus?
Downtown Charlottesville is really nice, and it’s not too far away. Sometimes I’ll walk down there. They have nice restaurants, so I’ve gone out downtown a few times. It’s a way to not be on campus, but it’s still close by so it’s not a hassle to get there.
Social Opportunities
What kind of weekend or nightlife activities do you like to participate in?
I can’t say I really have time, but some of my friends go to local bars, and frats have events and date parties. I’ll hang out with my friends at smaller scale things in apartments, but I haven’t had an opportunity this semester to do much.
What is the impact of Greek life on nightlife?
There isn’t a stigma if you’re not in Greek life. There can be a little bit of pressure to join if you find you don’t already have a social network, but last year they organized it differently, so you don’t rush until the Spring. This gives people time to get to know each other and make friends outside of Greek life.
How happy are you with the weekend options? Is there anything you would change if you could?
I’m pretty happy.
What have been your favorite times at UVA?
Just the other night there was the first major snowstorm, and everyone went to the lawn for a massive snowball fight. It was really entertaining, and I think there’s a lot of small things that spring up that remind you why you’re here, and that it’s not so intense all the time.
Campus Culture
How did you meet your closest friends?
Through the School of Architecture. I’ve also met a few people in my classes.
How would you describe the overall social scene?
It’s pretty good. If you want, you can always join a sorority. I think being in Architecture, you already have some sort of an environment set up for you where you get to know a lot of people really closely. If you don’t have that, there are lots of clubs that host club fairs in the fall and spring.
To what extent do people of different races and sexual orientations mix socially?
I don’t think there’s too much of a barrier around that. I wouldn’t say it’s that diverse, but there isn’t any negativity surrounding that. [About 58% of students are White.]
How would you describe the student body?
Probably preppy. There are a lot of people from Northern Virginia outside of D.C., so lots of people wear Vineyard Vines.
How do you like the size of UVA in terms of undergraduate enrollment? [UVA has about 16,000 undergraduates.]
The size of UVA is great. It’s not a massive school like Penn State, and it’s also not a really small private college. There are enough people for you to meet, but I still see people around that were in my dorm last year. It’s the right amount of people where you don’t feel lost in it, but it’s not like you’re really closed in with the same people your whole time at UVA.
Careers
Has the alumni network helped you find internships or jobs?
Not yet, but I’ve been proactive finding my own opportunities and I think there’s a lot of availability if one is looking.
Have you learned any computer programs or computer languages that will be helpful professionally?
Rhino, AutoCAD, Photoshop, and Illustrator.
Financial Aid
Have you used financial aid? If so, accommodating was the office to your needs?
I have a scholarship here. UVA does need-based financial aid, so anyone who applies can usually have their needs met. They’re pretty responsive in working with you to see what’ll work best for you financially.