University of Virginia

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Hallmarks and Quirks

Things I'm Good At:

All sports not commonly shown on television (like lacrosse). If you never see it on TV, chances are that UVA has won at least five NCAA championships in that sport.
A capella. UVA has some great a capella groups and they're always performing in scenic locations around the school. Check out the Hullabahoos (featured on an episode of The Office and in Pitch Perfect), the Virginia Gentlemen, and the Sil'hooettes for a preview.
English. That's right. The English department is totally awesome. Make sure to sign up for a few classes, even if it's just for fun.
Taking care of business. The McIntire School of Commerce is one of the best undergraduate business programs in the country. As of 2013, it was ranked second. According to BusinessWeekly, it's also the number one feeder for MBA programs.
Giving back. I can boast one of the most active volunteer populations of any school in the country. I'm particularly great at engaging with the needy in the local Charlottesville community. Check out some of the amazing opportunities available through Madison House if you're feeling philanthropic.

My Top 5 Must-Haves:

Walking shoes. Parking is impossible and/or nonexistent, so everyone walks everywhere. Which is okay, because let's be honest, I'm really pretty. Fair warning, though—there are hills.
Chalk. Ever want to know what's going on with the rest of the student body? Just look down on your walk to class and you're guaranteed to get a "chalk the walk" update from every student organization imaginable.
An appetite. HOO'S hungry? I hope the answer is everyone, because Charlottesville is home to some truly amazing restaurants…many of which are casual and inexpensive in addition to being delicious.
A picnic blanket. Have some free time in between classes? Camp out on the lawn and pick up some sun while you finish up that last chapter of reading. Also, nearby are (nearly) 80,000 awesome outdoor activities, ranging from super athletic hikes (the Appalachian Trail picks up only thirty minutes away), to leisurely patio dining experiences.
Bow ties and/or sundresses. Okay, not quite a must-have since these days, you can find people wearing all kinds of things to football games. But, historically speaking, I am a "guys in ties, girls in pearls" kind of place.

Why You Might Have Heard of Me:

Thomas Jefferson. Remember him? Yeah. Kind of a big deal. In addition to being BFFs with George Washington and the author of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson also found some free time to found the University of Virginia. One of the original copies of the Declaration of Independence can be seen in the University's Special Collections Library.
Did I mention I'm beautiful? Not to brag, but I win all kinds of awards for being a totally gorgeous university. Jefferson intended UVA to be "the model of good taste for the new nation" and it seems like he hit the nail on the head. The Rotunda, his architectural claim to fame and the centerpiece of the school, is now a certified UNESCO World Heritage site.
I've won all kinds of awards for my super brainy faculty and student body. I'm always near the top of lists like the "Best Public Universities in the U.S." and "Top 25 National Universities." Things you might not see from other top tier academic schools, though, is their presence on these lists: "Highest Student Satisfaction rating," "Best Quality of Life," and—the crowning jewel of 2013—Playboy's "Top Party School in the Nation."

On a regular Saturday night, you can find me...

A Wahoo is a fish that can drink twice its weight in water. The fact that this has become UVA's unofficial nickname is not a coincidence, folks. People here like to have a good time, and that often involves kicking back and having a few beers. On Saturday night, you can find lots of students doing just that at the fraternity houses on Rugby Road and on The Corner, the row of shops, restaurants, and bars right next to the university.

The Downtown Mall, home to still more bars, shops, and restaurants, is a great place to check out if you're celebrating a special occasion…or if your parents are in town to pick up the tab. Plus, if you're under twenty-one or don't like to drink, there are still plenty of activities to keep you entertained.

If you stick around campus, you can come into CHEM 401, a ginormous auditorium where you can catch a flick on the projector screen after hours.

Favorite Hangouts:

The Virginian. A UVA tradition, this classic bar's got great specials every night of the week and on Sunday, and all of the daily specials run all day long. Sunday Funday for the win.
Boylan Heights. It's everything you could ever want in a sports bar, and the food is actually good. They even have shuffleboard and some arcade games for you and your buddies.
Coupe De'Ville's. It was once named the "Top Underage Drinking Bar in America." Enough said. (Note: Shmoop does not condone underage drinking.)
King Family Vineyards. A longtime favorite for wine tastings among UVA students. King Family is located about twenty minutes away from Grounds and is basically a big, green field next to a tiny store that sells wine and snacks. King Family Vineyards is only open until 5:00p.m., but it's a great place for a daytime excursion.
Fourth meal. I mean, it's basically its own food group in college. And picking just one late-night spot to recommend is literally impossible, so this category gets a mini-list of its own.
- Marco and Luca's Dumpling shop . They serve the most amazing dumplings on earth. On the weekend, you can enjoy them for both normal dinner and second dinner.
- College Inn. This place has been in business for years even though the restaurant is hardly ever full. That's because of two things: a massive menu and free delivery.
- Little John's. They sell hot and toasty subs to hoards of drunk bar-goers 24/7. If you're an ultra-patron, you might even end up with a sandwich named after you (see the "Chris Long").

Quirks:

I'm big on traditions. They're not all super quirky, but they can take a little getting used to. I hope you'll learn to love them.

I am obsessed with Thomas Jefferson. No one should have any problem getting behind TJ because he was a total rock star. We even celebrate Founder's Day every year on Jefferson's birthday, April 13th.
The distinctive UVA lingo. Here, you're not freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors, but first, second, third, and fourth years. According to Jefferson, you should never stop learning and therefore no one can ever truly reach "senior" level in education. Side note: Professors are also subject to this rule, in a sense. It's common to address them as Mr. and Mrs. Lastname because the title of "doctor" is reserved only for those who hold a medical degree.
I've got an Honor Code and it's a very big deal. I don't tolerate people who lie, cheat, or steal. Being caught for one of these crimes is grounds for expulsion.
Secret societies. No joke, I come complete with several secret societies, though not all of them are super secret…or I wouldn't be telling you about them, would I? The cream of the crop is the 7 Society. It's composed of seven members from each class and is so secretive that the only person you're ever allowed to tell that you're a seven is your spouse.
"The Good Old Song," which is sung at the end of UVA sporting events, every time the football team scores, at all musical events, and generally any time we can think of an excuse to sing it.

Famous Alumni:

U.S. President Woodrow Wilson
Senators Robert and Edward Kennedy. We sure do love our politicians here.
Edgar Allan Poe, fo' sho
Katie Couric, television journalist and writer
Tina Fey, actress, writer, and all-around hilarious human being
Tiki Barber, former NFL running back
Mark B. Templeton, President & CEO, Citrix Systems

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