<p>As a UVA grad, I am trying not to laugh too hard at the “solid, but not too rigorous academics” at UVA. UVA has been known for a long time as a school that knows how to both study hard and have a good time. If by honors program you are referring to the Echols Scholars, Echols is not a traditional honors program. They do receive priority registration within their class year, are not required to fill the standard college area requirements, and can declare an interdisciplinary major. But they must be part of the College of Arts and Sciences (no engineering, commerce, etc). And there aren’t any scholarships automatically associated with the program. For 1st Year students there is no application for Echols, Admissions makes the selections (a little over 200 per year).</p>
<p>In short, I don’t think that most would consider UVA to be “not too rigorous”. Most UVA students were all A students in high school and meet their first B or lower in college. Agree that the grounds, facilities, and social environment are great at UVA.</p>
<p>As has been pointed out in many threads, your college experience will be what you the student make of it. Take advantage of what your school has to offer and the odds for success are high. There is no one “right” school.</p>
<p>Boomshakalaka: You have great options to choose from and I wish you all the best. If you end up at UGA, I have no doubt that you will find challenging and fulfilling research opportunities and plenty of intellectual people to be friends with.</p>
<p>Coolpg: You also have great options to choose from. I’ve enjoyed reading your impressions of UGA and have witnessed many of the same things. Lots to do in Athens and there are more cultural events at UGA than any student will have the time to attend. If anything, my daughter has found that there are way more cultural events, readings, lunch box events, clubs, Honors program events than she could possibly hope to attend. Hazelorb on the UVA forum has a lot of good info from the perspective of a current UVA student. Let me know if there is anything an older UVA grad could help you with.</p>