<p>[Rankings</a>, Facts at a Glance, University of Virginia](<a href=“http://www.virginia.edu/Facts/Glance_Rankings.html]Rankings”>http://www.virginia.edu/Facts/Glance_Rankings.html)</p>
<p>The programs are decent, but not “top notch.” Then again, the sciences really does depend upon what your looking for, what sort of research you would like to conduct, etc.</p>
<p>As someone in the “sciences” here as an undergrad, I find the overall program to be mediocre. Because of budget cuts, they’ve been cutting interesting classes left and right and are now slowly starting to incorporate classes back in. There are also a LOT of premed kids, and since most classes are graded on a curve, you could work your hiney off and still get a C. To be honest, if you’re premed, go elsewhere (like Tech), kick butt, get sleep, get a great undergrad GPA and go to a top notch med school. There are so many kids here who are smart, but just not smarter than everyone else.</p>
<p>Having said that, many of the faculty members here are outstanding. Wormington, Burnett, Hunt, Harman, Landers, Cronmiller. They are at the top of their game and research fields, which gives us an excellent chance to pick their brains and conduct research with them, if we choose to do so. And there comes the “if.” Many opportunities are offered to us, it’s just a matter of us taking advantage of them. And, if you look at the program properly, the competition can serve as more motivation than anything.</p>
<p>Just like anything else in life, there are multiple facets to the story. It’s just up to you to make the experience your own and gain as much as you can from the opportunities presented. The sciences at UVa treat you like an adult; you have to go get what you want. It’s not going to come on a silver platter. So in that sense, yeah it’s hard. But in a way, it’s really refreshing.</p>