<p>Schools similar to UVA (from what I know or have heard):</p>
<p>Vanderbilt, UNC-CH, Duke, Cornell, W&M (somewhat)</p>
<p>It is awfully difficult to understand how people, especially people on this CC board, can possibly perceive schools like Penn State being similar to UVa???
Maybe they are newcomers or just got interested in college discussions per se.</p>
<p>Officially, UVa is a public school but with a huge private feel. It is a unique institution in that it was founded by TJ and the tradition that created since has been kept on with tremendous pride and academical excellence. It may not be an Ivy but is one of the premier universities in the nation in its own right. Schools that are similar to it should include Duke, UNC, Cornell and Dartmouth.</p>
<p>UNC and to a lesser extent Cornell. Very similar to Penn St in schools spirit(ie athletics) as well as socially/Greek scene. UVirgina is def overall has higher quality student body than PSU but the gulf isnt as large as most people think. I wouldnt put Duke or Dartmouth in the same classification as UVirginia. Much different in size twice Duke and four times larger than DC. Huge research wing as compared to the other two. Greek scene may be simialr to DC but again scale isnt even close. Finally, other two have a national student body while UVa is decidedly Southern and Virginian.</p>
<p>About Penn State: It’s nowhere near the academic level of UVa, and I said that. It’s just a large DI school with pretty good academics. It’s not the best match, but I wanted to offer easier-admit schools.</p>