UVA or VA Tech?

Lil Miss Greenie

H is looking at attending one of the two and I'll of course tag along. So from my perspective then, which town/area would you prefer and why?

sporky

agreed. unless he's pursuing engineering or animal sciences, then UVA is by far the better school (which one should also bear in mind, since it's more difficult to get in to than Tech).

i've actually attended both schools at various points and prefer UVA and charlottesville. it's a great, quaint, scenic town.

but really, blacksburg is a nice town too. it definitely has its own charm. both are small towns with larger cities near by (roanoke ~45 min from tech, richmond ~1 hr from c'ville). both have a lot of character in my opinion. do you know what type of place you're looking for?

french526

I went to VT and absolutely loved it. ?I think that YH needs to figure out which degree program he is interested in, probably apply to both, and see where he gets in. ?If he's in both, he should weigh the pros and cons after visiting both schools.

I got into both but I liked the atmosphere at VT and in Blacksburg so much better than UVA/C-ville. ??

Lil Miss Greenie

He's pretty set on engineering. We have about a year to plan before he needs to apply and I'm hoping to do campus visits over the summer.

R&B3-26-05

If he's looking at doing engineering, VT all the way.  I went to Tech for my bachelor's and master's (English Ed).  I loved everything about it and would go back in a heartbeat.

S<3J

Well....this is a tough one because well..I'm a Wahoo. As for where I'd rather live..I am not a huge fan of either area (cannot wait to leave Charlottesville to be honest..it's nice, but I prefer Richmond much more)..if I was picking based on area alone I'd definitely still pick UVa because I like more things to do and I'd go crazy living in Blacksburg that far away from Richmond. However, considering that he wants to go into engineering..(and it pains me to say this), but go to Tech. It's only a few years living there in the long run, and in my personal opinion (even as a Wahoo!) VT has a much better engineering program for obvious reasons. UVa may be a great name..but VT's engineering program is more well established and it's stronger. It seems to me that UVa's engineering program always kind of ends up an afterthought here. They have a nice building and they still have a meaningful degree when they finish don't get me wrong..I just personally feel like VT has more to offer and more opportunities for research, etc..Not to mention their football team is so much better. Wow I sound like a real traitor now so I am going to shut up! Lol.

#6

VT is awesome!  I live 30mins away and work in Blacksburg.  My brother went to VT for engineering and loved it.  He had researched several other schools but found VT had the better engineering schools.  Plus its close to home.  He was to graduate in May 07 but was one of the 04.16.07 vicitims. 

 

french526

Lucky*Ducky:

VT is awesome!? I live 30mins away and work in Blacksburg.? My brother went to VT for engineering and loved it.? He had researched several other schools but found VT had the better engineering schools.? Plus its close to home.? He was to graduate in May 07 but was one of the 04.16.07 vicitims.?

?

I'm so sorry about your brother....?

S<3J

Lucky*Ducky:

VT is awesome!  I live 30mins away and work in Blacksburg.  My brother went to VT for engineering and loved it.  He had researched several other schools but found VT had the better engineering schools.  Plus its close to home.  He was to graduate in May 07 but was one of the 04.16.07 vicitims. 

 

 

Lucky just wanted to say I am so sorry for your loss...

 

 

HokieDor

Lucky, I'm so sorry, too. DH and I were seniors too then, and I knew a few of the victims.

 

To answer the original question, Tech is definitely the best option, especially for engineering. Charlottesville is wonderful (we both grew up there), and I got my master's degree at UVA, but VT is the best for engineering. No question.

 

 

2beJCrews

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Lucky, I am so sorry for your loss.

 

I agree on taking a look at the program he wants and since he wants to go with engineering VT is the better option. 

Now on the subject of better area to live in? I went to VT so maybe I have a little bias but I can not name one person who did not absolutely love it there and have such pride in their school.  It is a small town, but I believe that?s what makes it so great.  Its a big school but it felt so much smaller due to the town.  I could go on and on about why I loved it there.

IncogNeato

I'd pick UVA/Cville any day, but I'm a Wahoo (as is my engineer husband) and I have family that teach in the E-school at UVa so I'm biased. Yes, Tech's engineering dept is considered stronger, but in general some might say UVA has a stronger rep, so it balances out. Every engineer I knew at UVA has done juuuuuuuust fine. It is a well respected degree.

I love love love love Cville and I'm currently working on moving back there permanently. I think your DH should visit, talk to profs and students, and you both should spend some time in each town and make an informed decision. And then pick UVA! Just kidding!.... sort of :-P

IncogNeato

PS_ I'm impressed at the fact that this thread has stayed so polite considering our lovely state rivalry. :-)

 

PPS- Lucky, I am so sorry for your loss.