hairypotty

How intense is the workload, especially in science and mathematics? Is it impossible to get a good grade (At least a B)? How many hours do UVA students have to work to get a good grade? Are UVA's mathematics, biochemistry and psychology very good? Is writing course required to take? If so, how difficult is it? Is the atmosphere very competitive?

cavalier302

Classes at UVA are rigorous, but they're nowhere near what you'd find at a school like MIT or the University of Chicago. It's definitely possible to get good grades here, but you have to demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the material to get an A. Most classes give A's to somewhere between 15 and 25 percent of students. B's are easier to get, but again, you'll have to do work. The mathematics department is the highest ranked in VA, and the chemistry, biology, and psychology are solid. Honestly, though, you'll likely end up enjoying your classes in departments like politics, history, and economics a bit more than your science classes. Humanities and social sciences are much better at UVA. The writing requirement is generally fulfilled by ENWR courses, which involve a lot of writing but generally have high average grades (in the B+/A- range.) The atmosphere isn't terribly competitive. There's not a ton of backstabbing or grade-grubbing, but then again, I'm not a pre-med, and those classes are supposed to flat-out blow.