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For over 200 years, the University of Virginia has been an anchor of the state, now serving 17,000 undergraduates and with almost 10,000 full-time faculty and staff. One of many 鈥渞igorous but rewarding鈥� academic experience is the J term, a set of January classes based around field experiences and unusual topics such as 鈥渋mpact investing in Appalachia... which involves visiting various local businesses and VC firms.鈥� Other approaches lauded for 鈥渁llow[ing] us to collaborate and think creatively鈥� include active-learning classes, where students work and 鈥渢he professor only teaches when the whole class gets stuck,鈥� and 鈥渃lass discussions, where material is studied beforehand, and learning mostly done in classroom through talking.鈥� These courses 鈥渁re difficult, but in a way that will ensure a bright future for all students and helps guarantee careers upon graduation.鈥� Overall, students are left happily fascinated by the available courses and the 鈥渉ighly encouraged鈥� study abroad opportunities. They also find professors to be helpful in all regards: 鈥渧ery accessible outside of class and want[ing] their students to thrive; grading is fair; the workload is appropriate.鈥� There are 鈥渁 lot of support resources for all areas of growth,鈥� and students say they 鈥淸have] never met someone unwilling to share their expertise with students.鈥� When it comes to crunch time, faculty 鈥渁re also great about making sure you can succeed if you don鈥檛 come to class all the time by posting their lectures.鈥�

Students at the University of Virginia describe themselves and their peers as 鈥渒ind and compassionate,鈥� the sort of 鈥渄riven, empathetic, action-orientated, proactive leaders who know how to work across lines of difference and create a diverse yet cohesive community.鈥� This is due in part to trickle-down support, as the 鈥渆nvironment here for learning and growing connections is exceptionally strong due to the eagerness of upperclassmen to help their younger peers.鈥� As one undergrad puts it, 鈥渢here seems to be every kind of person here,鈥� and that鈥檚 supported by an inclusive attitude that makes room for them. That said, the average student is a self-starter, in short the type 鈥渨ho want to be here, want to learn, and want to have a rounded college experience.鈥� According to one undergrad, 鈥測ou won鈥檛 find anyone who鈥檚 not involved in at least one club or group outside of their classes, and it鈥檚 more common to find people who fill their schedules with 4鈥�5 groups and clubs.鈥� Posting extracurricular numbers like those means many are 鈥渋nvolved in a really unexpected cross section of interests,鈥� and 鈥渢here is a very strong esprit de corps.鈥� It also means that UVA is 鈥渁 well-sized school where it feels like you can find anything you may be looking for, but also not so big you get overwhelmed.鈥�

UVA has 鈥渂eautiful and historic grounds, which add to the unique character of the university.鈥� It鈥檚 the sort of picturesque college setting wherein 鈥渢he libraries are always full, the lawn and rotunda are frequently filled with friends hanging out,鈥� and 鈥渕any students go to fitness centers often to fill their days and remain active.鈥� As you might expect from that setting, 鈥渄uring the week, UVA students can often be found studying with their friends, meeting with peers for group projects, and studying alone in the many quiet spaces grounds has to offer,鈥� like how 鈥渄orms and living spaces are used quite frequently for relaxing nights and study sessions.鈥� As for downtime and weekends, peers 鈥渁re very engaged with social events that are hosted by the college or student organizations where there may be food or activities to do with friends.鈥�

The UVA Career Center offers all of the standard resources for undergrads, including advising and one-on-one career planning; job fairs and on-campus recruitment; internship and job search services; and professional development services like r茅sum茅 building and interview coaching. It also offers specialized career events in a variety of fields, such as commerce, engineering, nursing, education, and government and non-profits. The center is a hub for all things internship related, like the University Internship Program that provides field placement based on what students are learning in the classroom. One student raves that 鈥淯VA really excels in career training and placement.鈥� Career Exploration Workshops and other self-assessments ensure that undergrads are attuned to their personal styles and interests. 鈥淭he students [at UVA] are very ambitious and career-focused,鈥� and out of alumni visiting PayScale.com, 49 percent report that they derive a high level of meaning from their jobs.