VAGrad0812

I'm almost 100% set on UVA, but I have some reservations about the size of the school.

I know there are definitely larger schools out there (like NYU), but I have the option to go to a smaller school (like William and Mary) and I was wondering if anyone at UVA ever felt overwhelmed by the size of the school, or ever felt like just a number and not a valued student at a school.

I know there are advantages and disadvantages to large and small schools, so I was wondering if someone could shed some light on these issues.

Thanks.

vicente

Hey, I came from one of the three largest schools in North America (University of Toronto with 60,000 students), and one of the reasons why I chose UVa this year was that it was a SMALL school where I could get to know profs and other students better.

doctorb

The question cannot be answered in an absolute manner. Size is relative. 14000 students plus several more thousand grad students will be too big for some/too small for others. For some W&M is too big @ 5500 and would be better off @ Davidson with 1800. You are right in asking the question but only you can answer for you. Go visit and then you will know. It would be too big for me but that is just me. You need to know for yourself.

phdinee

It has never felt so crowded when I was there.
It is perhaps one of the UVa's unique characteristics.
At UVa it just seems that people care, so that you never feel left out.
It is a special place...

hazelorb

UVA is a big school, but it gets small very quickly. You get to know a group of people and after that you see them everywhere! But yes it is something that only you can decide from visiting.

Globalist

Though UVA's campus is spread out, most of your classes are concentrated in Central Grounds, so UVA actually feels smaller than it is. I had a good friend who had transferred to UVa from UMich (the honors program no less) because she felt Michigan was too large. Her sister also went to UM, but she never ever saw her. At UVa, you bump into your friends all the time...around the Lawn, in Cabell, in Newcomb, on the way back to 1st Year Dorms. Also, UVa works hard to foster a closeness within its student body.

FLVADAD

Yeah, what Globalist said. When I used to visit D at UVA, no matter where we were in town or on grounds we constantly bumped into people she knew.

urcuzinvinnie

I've had this same concern except for UMich as Globalist said. I'm definitely considering UMich but to me it would be soooo much better if it was around the size of UVA instead of the humongous >20000 undergrad population.

This may be just my oppinion, but I think UVA is a perfect size to balance great resources with a community feeling.