VT questions- need to decide this week

CollegeNerd67
Fri, 13 May 2022 10:23:40 +0000

A little late but my D just finished her freshman year at VT. She is not an engineering major so I can’t comment on that. Some of the other things…

Food does matter to a lot of people. My daughter is always raving about the food there and sending me pics of poke bowls and other interesting things that she’s eating. The dining halls do a great job of changing things up and having lots of theme & cultural nights. My D likes to eat healthy and she finds many offerings. Conversely, her boyfriend goes to UTK and both of them contend that the dining hall food there is absolutely terrible with limited variety & healthy offerings. Many of their friends there live on Chic fil A and other fast food chains. Her bf can’t wait to get off campus and cook his own food.

Blacksburg is small, but mighty. I believe it is a quintessential college town that has a tremendous amount of VT spirit and is walkable from campus. The farmer’s market is great (they also have a vintage market with cool thrift finds) and there is a good variety of local restaurants, some bars & breweries & VT-themed shops. If you’re looking for chain & big-box stores, Christiansburg is an easy bus or car ride away. Outside of campus there are endless outdoor activities that many students take part in, either through the university clubs or on their own. On campus, VT has a vibrant sports program and with the athletic facilities conveniently located on the residential side of campus, it’s easy for students to attend games (they also have a very active club & intramural sports program).

Off campus housing - there is plenty and they are building new complexes. You don’t have to sign a lease in October/November, BUT if your kid wants the popular, nicest, closest to campus complexes OR needs a 4-5bdrm unit, those go first. My kid signed in November because she wanted a specific complex and needed a 4bdrm. FWIW, my older kid also signed this early at another university, so it’s not VT-specific. The roommate thing is always a gamble because a lot can change between November & the following August.

Having to fly in to get VT can be a challenge but people seem to work it out and the parents on the FB page are really helpful with suggestions. Travel doesn’t seem to override anyone’s love of VT.