<p>As an old alum and parent of a current student, I can’t answer all your questions, but here’s a couple thoughts.</p>
<p>Yes, UVa meets 100% of proven financial need, based upon UVa’s formulas. For most students, that still means you need to work during the summer, do work study during the school year and take out federal loans. You can turn down work study, but then you have to find some other way to pay that amount.</p>
<p>UVa has extremely loyal alums, including idiots who spend their Saturday night answering questions online.</p>
<p>The least difficult way into UVa is to transfer from the Va. Community College system. I don’t know about how the system works from other states.</p>
<p>UVa used to have a joke-based very informal Pep Band. Then a rich alum offered millions to start a traditional marching band and build a big new HQ for the band.</p>
<p>There are many transfer students. However, you should find some clubs, intramural sports, activities or something to build a group of friends.</p>
<p>Large parts of Virginia are full of transplants from other parts of the country and other countries. As a fellow eastern Pennsylvanian, I’ll assure you that you will find many people at UVa who are not southern. In fact, you may meet more South Koreans than Southern Belles. </p>
<p>Of your list, UNC Chapel Hill is one of the toughest because they have a strict quota on out of state students.</p>