phdinee

Calling UVa snobby and elitist sounds like a jealous cry from people who couldn't get admission against their wishes.
However, once you are in, you understand what it is really like to be a part of the UVA community. I would say people are rather classy than snobby, and extremely proud rather than elitist. It is just a unique and special place and one would be so lucky to get associated with it. Personally, I have never encountered with snobby people there, only have seen very friendly and caring people.

cavalier302

Don't be silly, cinnamon. UVa isn't any more snobby than its peer schools.

galoisien

At Orientation, I tried my best to look out for the stereotypes of UVA students that have been described to me. I couldn't find anyone who fit the "snobby" mould. Well, not at Orientation itself anyway. There was one UVA student-athlete who seemed to possibly fit that mould 40 miles from D.C. / 80 miles northeast of Charlottesville. At a Manassas gas station.

alizarda

hey, i just visited UVA. I didn't feel like the kids were really snobby, but a lot were pretty well-dressed so maybe that can be interpreted as snobby? I don't know.

I also got a sort of a serious vibe, almost a little uptight - less laid-back than I was expecting. But I think that might've been because it was raining, so maybe people just seemed really serious because they were hurrying to class or their dorms to get out of the rain, lol. Can anyone tell me if the atmosphere at UVA is more serious or laid-back most of the time? I know this is a really vague question, it's kind of hard to describe, it's just a feeling I got from my visit.

db123

did you just go today? because classes started this week and it's been cold and disgusting and I can say I haven't been in the greatest of moods. And the rain may have played a bigger role than you think. Weather tends to affect people's moods, and it's been miserable. Also, it was the first Thursday of class so people were also hurrying to make sure they weren't late and such. I think if you go later, it'll be more relaxed. But also remember that UVa is a school known for academics and so there are many students here that are serious about their work and they stay in that mode even when they go from class to class. People are serious when they need to be and they're relaxed when they need to be. So, to summarize my confusing post, today wasn't the best day to visit and the atmosphere isn't usually this dark and dank (like a school that starts with har and ends with vard ).

canuck01

There are lots of well dressed kids. But it is pretty laid back.
I'd second db, it's the first thursday, people are trying to find their way around, etc. The s#itty weather didn't help either. I for sure didn't want to go to class, let alone go down to the dining hall. And the people trying to pitch their stuff around O'Hill almost put it over the top. If one more person asked my to play rugby, sing, register to vote, etc. they were gonna get a nice big f off. Don't get the wrong idea, we are all nice people, but in crummy weather people just want to get from A to B, in the least amount of time.

PS, I also forgot my favorite wellies at home, so I'm unhappy because I don't have my boots.

alizarda

Yeah, my tour was Wednesday, so the weather was pretty gross. I guess that probably affected my impression more than I realized. That's good to hear, thanks. and good luck canuck on getting some boots

shoebox10

Agreed. You came on a plain ole crummy day, and I'm sorry for it. It rained Wednesday and Thursday, pretty much straight, and Thursday everyone was awoken early by a thunderstorm. So, not only are people lost getting to class (I got to explore Rouss/Robertson..sucked!), but they're in the rain. Miserable. And worrying about what classes they'll be able to get into, and books, and everything else that stresses people out in the beginning of the year. I'd say things will go back to normal over the next two weeks as people get settled. And, in general, people in between classes are slightly non-happy just because they're "in the zone" of going to class. But, for the most part, people are really laid-back and generally in good moods.

So, some chick asked me today if I'm "a thinker". My response was only when i'm dealing with electricity and alcohol. She wasn't happy. Another was for theatre and was asking people if they sing and dance. I was with another e-schooler and our response was that we're engineers...we don't roll that way. Again, bad looks.

db123

i think mine might take the cake. I was walking through the activities fair and I stopped to see if I could find my friend and a girl to my left is like do you do hookah? and i was like w-t-f?.................. and she was like well, do you? And I was like, I need my lungs for the rest of my life thanks. And she was like okay well, you should join the blah blah blah. I was so annoyed that she wasted my time. I almost slapped her, especially after she wouldn't leave me alone.

canuck, i think we might be twins. Because I most definitely forgot my wellies, but luckily my mom came to drop off some stuff and she brought them. Some people were wearing unbroken-in boat shoes in the rain without bandaids on the back of their feet. bad idea everybody.

canuck01

Ouch, that wouldn't be nice to their feet. Luck you db, but hopefully it wont rain again! '

ps, hookah isn't bad for you and there is a decent bar downtown