University of Virginia
A public university founded by Jefferson Thomas in 1817, the University of Virginia, is one of the top recognized institutions of higher learning in the United States of America. The university admits students most of whom were top students in their previous schools. This means that of the majority of the students are very smart, and this environment presents an interesting and challenging atmosphere for students who love challenges. Any student who is looking for an environment where intellectual challenges are inevitable should consider joining the University of Virginia.
The academics life at the university is very encouraging; a student-faculty ratio is 16:1. It has more than 52% of its classes with 20students to ensure that each student gets personalized attention from the faculty resulting in a very high retention rate or over 9%. The university offers a wide variety of intellectual resources while at the same time fostering intimacy and sense of community among all undergraduates. Since it is a public institution, it admits students from all backgrounds, which ensures that every student gets the chance to interact with people from diverse cultural backgrounds. The motivation to excel and achieve is coupled with a culture of mutual openness, civility, mutual support, and, the most importantly, trust and integrity.
The student life in the university is well-balanced combining academics and social life and is marked by various unique traditions. Students usually refer to the campus of the university as grounds; the freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors go by the names first, second, third, and fourth years as a reflection of Jefferson’s belief that learning is an continuous process rather than one that ends in four years. Moreover, students take their degrees from the university rather than graduate. Professors go by the titles Mr. and Ms. instead of Doctors with the exception of medical doctors in reverence to the founder’s desire that there should be equality of ideas, which are unburdened by titles.
The university also offers other services to students like placement services, women’s centre, day care, non-remedial tutoring, health insurance, and health insurance. This ensures that the general wellbeing of the student is well taken care of by the institution. In addition, the university offers safety, which includes 24-hour security through 24hr vehicle and foot patrols, escort services or late night transport, lighted pathways, emergency telephones, and controlled access to the students’ dormitories. All these ensure 24 hours security to all the students while in campus.
The university offers accommodation and housing services to students with more attention to the first year students. The university requires that all the joining first years reside on-ground at an affordable rate of $5090 for an academic year. This is to the security of the students before they get accustomed to the campus life. The returning students have an access to different resident’s locations and styles ranging from traditional hallway-style bedrooms, apartments, language houses, and residential colleges, which provide a wide range of experiences for students. Final year students can also apply for residence at the historic Lawn at the center of the original university. The university also offers off-ground housing service for students who wish to live off-ground. This allows students to choose where they feel best suited.
The University of Virginia is not an all-academic experience; it recognizes that there is a need for extra-curricular activities for all round growth of students. At the University, students have a variety of sports to choose from depending on one’s interests and passion. Among the available sports and sports grounds are badminton courts, squash courts, volleyball courts, fitness rooms, table tennis tables, versa climbers, combative and dance rooms, lifecycles among others. Students can join any sports and participate either for competition or for recreational purposes.
With all the discussed features of life at the University of Virginia, everyone must reckon that it is the college to spend four years in, with the assurance that one will take the degree as an all-round person.
