February's Featured College:
              University of Virginia
by: Krystle Merchant

The University of Virginia is the #2 public university in the nation and
ranks in the Top 25 of all schools in the country according to US News &
World Reports. The school was founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819 and
first opened its doors to students in 1825.

There are about 14,000 undergraduates, but more students than that apply
every year for admission making UVA a highly selective university. There
is no minimum GPA or SAT score because like most other schools, UVA
Admissions looks at the whole person and not just the facts on paper.
All first-years are required to live on-grounds in co-ed dorms, but after
that, students can choose to live in apartments or the houses on campus.
Most of the houses are associated with the fraternities and sororities on
campus. About thirty percent of students rush and take part in the Greek
system at the university.

There are also a few secret societies (how secret can they be if I’m telling
you about them, right?) on campus, notably the Imps, the Zs, and the
Sevens, whose marks you can see all over university buildings. Graffiti is
one way to stay not-so-secret.
In addition to these, there are literally hundreds of clubs, organizations,
groups, and intramural sports that students can join. You can figure out
your interests, find people who think alike, and have a group to call your
own.

To hang out, there’s The Corner and the Downtown Mall, among other
great places. The Corner is an area with shops and restaurants on campus
that is always lively and welcomes foot traffic. You can meet up with
friends or just walk around to see and be seen! Off campus, students flock
to the Downtown Mall in downtown Charlottesville. There you’ll find the
Charlottesville Pavilion, an open-air concert area, and assorted shops and
restaurants.
Just like at every other school, UVA
students love their school. They know
exactly what makes it unique and they
know what makes it “better.” They call
themselves first-years and fourth-years
instead of freshmen and seniors (same
for sophomores and juniors). They don’
t live on-campus, they live on-grounds!
For football games, they follow the
“guys in ties, girls in pearls” rule instead
of dressing in the school colors, orange
and blue. Campus landmarks include
The Lawn and The Rotunda, one of the
mainstays of Jeffersonian architecture.
They’re the ‘Hoos (they yell “wah-hoo-
wah!” at games) and the Cavs (the actual
mascot is the Virginia Cavalier) who love to sing the Good Ole Song (an
unofficial alma mater).

UVA is a great school to visit during the spring, summer, fall or even
winter. Virginia athletics play in Division I and are a part of the Atlantic
Coast Conference or ACC.While you’re there, try and catch a sporting
event, make sure you pass by The Lawn. Get out of the car and walk
around…and if you’re not into “guys in ties…,” stop by the bookstore and
get an Orange Fever shirt to show your spirit.