UVA vs VCU... for undergrad

[Negrodamus]

As some of you know I'm a VCCS student about to finish my final semester before I transfer. I submitted my applications for VCU, GMU and UVA in January and now I'm stuck trying to figure out where I actually want to go.

This is the pro and con list I've come up with so far.

UVA😛ro

1. Flagship school
2. More known across the country
3. More Financial aide
4. More knowledgeable professors
5. Better alumnus network just in case I don't make it to medical school
6. more apt to meet "the right people"

UVA:CON

1. Harder Classes
2. Competing against high school valedictorians from across the country.
3. Having to take freshman English(The class I took doesn't transfer)
4. Having to take three semesters of a language😱
5. Not sure if I can complete the major in two years without summer school (How would I pay for that?)
6. They essentially kick you out if you don't finish in two years
7. Snobbish/preppy attitude on the part of the students (I think I might feel out of place)

VCU😛RO

1. Classes are probably easier
2. I have plenty of friends there
3. I can go straight to upper level biology classes.
4. Less competition
5. I know I can finish the major

VCU:Con

1. I have to take calculus
2. No guaranteed housing for transfers
3. Less Financial aide
4. In the bad part of town
5. Richmond housing in expensive unless you want to live in a dump

There is also the stuff I don't know. How hard is it find research at either school? What are the job prospects like in Richmond or Charlottesville( I need at least a part time job to pay for this)?

Does anyone else from either school have anything to add?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Ignatius M.D.]

UVA was one of my favorite schools for undergrad. I'm OOS so I ended up not going (same with William and Mary), but it really is a fantastic school. I wouldn't worry about higher competition. People are aware of varying difficulties when comparing grades from different schools. The language thing is not necessarily a detractor. Knowing a foreign language, especially Spanish, is a great help when going into medicine. I recently translated for a patient when I was shadowing, and it was great to be able to help that woman out even though I have zero medical knowledge. I would be most concerned about being happy. If you have a lot of friends at VCU and are sure you wouldn't fit in at UVA then I'd highly consider going to VCU. How much less does "less financial aid" mean? I chose my undergrad because of a guaranteed grant for 100% of your demonstrated need, so debt was a huge deciding factor for me.

 

[afob100]

A couple issues with your negatives for VCU:
1. It's not in the bad part of town by any means. I would agree with the hospital/MCV being downtown as more of the bad part of town but not the undergrad campus. The Monroe Park campus is adjacent to the fan district, which is historical/beautiful.
2. Richmond housing is not expensive. You can get a 2 bedroom, 1 bath place walking distance to campus for $1100 (or $550 a month).

One of the biggest draws for students to come to VCU is the guaranteed admissions programs to MCV, but this does not apply to transfer students. Thus, you'd probably be better off at UVa. It does have a better reputation and more opportunities than VCU. Although it probably does have more competition than VCU, I'm sure you will be fine if you study hard.

 

[mvenus929]

UVA:CON

1. Harder Classes
2. Competing against high school valedictorians from across the country.
3. Having to take freshman English(The class I took doesn't transfer)
4. Having to take three semesters of a language😱
5. Not sure if I can complete the major in two years without summer school (How would I pay for that?)
6. They essentially kick you out if you don't finish in two years
7. Snobbish/preppy attitude on the part of the students (I think I might feel out of place)

While I agree there is a certain snobbish/preppy attitude here (the valedictorian of my high school went to UVA undergrad), all the people that I know in med school from UVA undergrad are great and welcoming people, so I don't think it's the majority.

Also, if you're able to get more help financially at UVA, I would go with them hands down.

 

[Negrodamus]

VCU Schedule
Fall 2011
LFSC 101 Introduction to Life Sciences (3.0)
CHEM 301 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I (3.0)
CHEZ 301 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I Lab (2.0)
BIOL 218 Cell Biology (3.0)
BOIL 317 Ecology (3.0)
BIOZ 317 Ecology Lab (2.0)

Spring 2012
CHEM 301 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I (3.0)
CHEZ 301 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I Lab (2.0)
BIOL 310 Genetics (3.0)
BIOZ 310 Genetics Lab (2.0)
BIOL 3XX ORAGANISMAL (3.0)
BIOZ 3XX ORAGANISMAL (1.0) Lab
BIOL 3XX BIOLOGY Elective

FALL 2012
BIOL 3XX Biology Elective (3.0)
BIOZ 3XX Biology Elective Lab (1.0)
BIOL 3XX Biology Elective (3.0)
BIOZ 3XX Biology Elective Lab (1.0)
BIOL 3XX Biology Elective (3.0)
Class Elective
Class Elective

Spring 2013
BIOL 3XX Biology Elective (3.0)
BIOL 3XX Biology Elective (3.0)
BIOZ 3XX Biology Elective Lab (1.0)
BIOL 3XX Biology Elective (3.0)
BIOZ 3XX Biology Elective Lab (1.0)
Class Elective

U.Va schedule

Fall 2011

BIOL 3000 Cell Biology (3.00)
CHEM 2410 Organic Chemistry (3.00)
CHEM 2411 Organic Chemistry Laboratory (3.00)
SPAN 1010 Elementary Spanish (4.00)
BIOL 3XXX Biology (3)
Total 16
Spring 2012

BIOL 3010 Genetics and Molecular Biology (4.00)
CHEM 2420 Organic Chemistry (3.00)
CHEM 2421 Organic Chemistry Laboratory (3.00)
SPAN 1020 Elementary Spanish (4.00)
ENWR 1505 Academic Writing I (3.00)
Total 16
Fall 2012

SPAN 2010 Intermediate Spanish (3.00)
History XXXX Non western History (3.0)
BIOL 3020 Evolution and Ecology (3.00)
BIOL 3XXX Upper level biology Lab(3.0)
BIOL 3XXX Upper level biology (3.0)
Total 15
Spring 2013
SPAN 2020 Advanced Intermediate Spanish (3.00)
BIOL 3XXX Upper level biology (3.0)
BIOL 3XXX Upper level biology (3.0)
BIOL 3XXX Upper level biology (3.0)
BIOL 3XXX Upper level biology (3.0)
Total 15

Well, I've made a list of classes that I would need to take in order to graduate in 2 years. Does anyone see any problems in the schedules?

 

[Barcu]

Well, I've made a list of classes that I would need to take in order to graduate in 2 years. Does anyone see any problems in the schedules?

So much science.

I would go with UVA because it looks like a more interesting/balanced schedule (plus the other positives for UVA).

I was a spanish double major, so I always liked to have non-science classes to balance out the science. Kept me sane.

 

[tommy pickles]

GMU is also worth considering. They have a bunch of great science professors. Besides, paying more than twice as much to go to UVA seems unnecessary. I'd say take VCU or GMU, do well, and get the same degree for half the cash. Just my opinion.

 

[Aerodynamics]

Why aren't you considering GMU?

 

[vivalavie]

GMU is also worth considering. They have a bunch of great science professors. Besides, paying more than twice as much to go to UVA seems unnecessary. I'd say take VCU or GMU, do well, and get the same degree for half the cash. Just my opinion.

Your logic defies all logic, OP says UVA is cheaper. I never understand people who have preeminent in-state university choices and don't go to them. Most people have to pay big bucks for the resources, opportunities and environment that you're getting for dirt cheap. There should be no question in your mind, UVA. You're getting more for less. Don't be scared by competition, be scared of mediocrity. Being surrounded by bright peers is good, you'd be bored otherwise. As for transfer credit... you'd be surprised how quickly "school policy" changes when you talk to the right people. I transferred, it was a hassle but I managed to get all the credits I needed to transfer through, even though they made it sound impossible initially.

 

[Negrodamus]

GMU is also worth considering. They have a bunch of great science professors. Besides, paying more than twice as much to go to UVA seems unnecessary. I'd say take VCU or GMU, do well, and get the same degree for half the cash. Just my opinion.

Why aren't you considering GMU?

I applied to GMU and UMW as well. I'm sort of treating the big state universities the same. I figure if I don't get into U.Va I'll to the cheapest school.

 

[Negrodamus]

Your logic defies all logic, OP says UVA is cheaper. I never understand people who have preeminent in-state university choices and don't go to them. Most people have to pay big bucks for the resources, opportunities and environment that you're getting for dirt cheap. There should be no question in your mind, UVA. You're getting more for less. Don't be scared by competition, be scared of mediocrity. Being surrounded by bright peers is good, you'd be bored otherwise.

I have no interest in being around 20 year old intellectuals. My two biggest concerns are indebtedness and and getting the highest GPA I can.

As for transfer credit... you'd be surprised how quickly "school policy" changes when you talk to the right people. I transferred, it was a hassle but I managed to get all the credits I needed to transfer through, even though they made it sound impossible initially.

Really? Spanish is the biggest problem with me. If I don't do well in any of the four semesters I'll be screwed.

 

[vivalavie]

I have no interest in being around 20 year old intellectuals. My two biggest concerns are indebtedness and and getting the highest GPA I can.

That's your prerogative but I think you're misguided. I think it's easier to get a high GPA if you're intellectually stimulated and not surrounded by a bunch of rote memorizers. I transferred to an elite school and found it easier to get a high GPA.

Really? Spanish is the biggest problem with me. If I don't do well in any of the four semesters I'll be screwed.

I agree with previous posters that Spanish is freakin' useful for medicine. And honestly, the level of second language education is this country is so abysmal that if you are EVER challenged in a Spanish class (even at a top school) I'd be amazed. Don't sweat the language req, it'll probably be a GPA booster if anything.

 

[OrangeandMaroon]

As much as it pains me to say it, go to UVa.

 

[Negrodamus]

As much as it pains me to say it, go to UVa.

 

[Instatewaiter]

A couple issues with your negatives for VCU:
1. It's not in the bad part of town by any means. I would agree with the hospital/MCV being downtown as more of the bad part of town but not the undergrad campus. The Monroe Park campus is adjacent to the fan district, which is historical/beautiful.
2. Richmond housing is not expensive. You can get a 2 bedroom, 1 bath place walking distance to campus for $1100 (or $550 a month).

One of the biggest draws for students to come to VCU is the guaranteed admissions programs to MCV, but this does not apply to transfer students. Thus, you'd probably be better off at UVa. It does have a better reputation and more opportunities than VCU. Although it probably does have more competition than VCU, I'm sure you will be fine if you study hard.

I am from Richmond and went to MCV for med school and UVA for undergrad. Without the guaranteed admission program UVA is a better choice.

Both MCV and VCU undergrad are in bad areas of town. I would actually say that VCU undergrad is in a more dangerous area and has vastly more incidents during the course of the year mainly because no one lives right around MCV.

Both Richmond and Charlottesville are very reasonable for rent.

I have no interest in being around 20 year old intellectuals. My two biggest concerns are indebtedness and and getting the highest GPA I can.

Really? Spanish is the biggest problem with me. If I don't do well in any of the four semesters I'll be screwed.

Your biggest concern should be going to the school that gives you the most opportunities. VCU is not a bad school by any means but UVA is a truly excellent opportunity.

As much as it pains me to say it, go to UVa.

It could be worse, he could want to go to that other school in Virginia that is down in Blacksburg... of course where else could you major in "Animal and Poultry Science" or "Wood science"... cue the jokes about wood science...

 

[nabeel76]

I transferred from NVCC (a VCCS school) to UVA and can help you a bit. PM me for more info if you have any questions.

First off if you took the regular English comp (I believe it was Eng 111 and 112 at NVCC) then you should get transfer credit for it at UVA - I did. UVA has two writing requirements, the first one requires a year of English comp and was covered with English 111 and 112 from NVCC for me. The second writing requirement cannot be transferred in and basically is any course that is considered writing intense, some of the science lab courses are considered writing intense which is a nice way to knock out two birds with one stone. I took Ecology lab and got that requirement met that way. If you don't want to go that route, there are a ton of courses across many departments that have courses that meet that requirement.

As for the foreign language requirement, your not going to be able to get around it unless you can test out in another language. I speak another language fluently but since I cannot read and write it I couldn't test out. It's also 4 semesters of a language - not three. My recommendation would be to do it over the summer, it will save you a TON of headaches with not only scheduling issues (languages usually meet 4 days a week) but also the big time commitment that languages require in terms of coursework. You can knock it out in 1 summer if you really want via an intense language institute that they have or you can do it seperately by taking 101-102 in one summer and then 201-202 the next. I took Persian for my language requirement during the semester and it really took a lot of time away from my courses each semester - they didn't teach that in the summer. I did however take Spanish 101 in the summer and it was not that bad - relatively painless.

Also, regarding the time to graduate. They will classify you by year upon evaluation of your transfer credit. If you transfer in as a junior, or third year as they call it. Then you should have about 57-60 credits that did transfer and applied towards your degree. If that's the case you'll have two full-time years to graduate. You can utilize summer sessions to help you get ahead if needed. If you do not graduate within 2 years they don't just kick you out, you'll be able to complete them however long it might take you - but you will not be considered a full-time student anymore, you'll have to complete them under the financial aid status of a part-time student. Which may make you ineligible for housing etc. and you'll be limited to 11 credits per semester which would really suck if your from out of town - so try and complete them within your alloted two years. You can do it, its not that bad. You can utilize the summer sessions if you feel you need to take lighter loads during the semester. I did two summer sessions and actually went beyond what I needed by about 16 credits on graduation.

As far as the transition from VCCS to UVA its pretty rough the first semester. I wouldn't recommend taking any more than 12 credits your first semester. And of those 12 credits don't take any more than 2 science courses, it is much much more competitive than the VCCS. I had a 4.0 at NVCC and struggled my 1st semester at UVA. Don't worry though you will get adjusted after the first semester. I was pretty much back on track by my second semester and taking 3-4 sciences a semester from there on out.

Well good luck and let me know if you have any questions.

 

[Ignatius M.D.]

I have no interest in being around 20 year old intellectuals.My two biggest concerns are indebtedness and and getting the highest GPA I can.

Top 20 undergrads have the best financial aid, but most people don't look into it enough. Why not apply to a few as well? I pay less to go to my school than I would've to go to the state school 2 miles down the road. I was a transfer too. Vandy, Emory and Duke are not far from VA (if you're worried about staying close to home). Just a thought.

P.S. Take nabeel's advice. I was in a similar situation and overextended myself first semester after transfer. It's better to take 1 semester to adjust than to get a 3.054 GPA.

 

[tommy pickles]

I just don't think that UVA would ever be cheaper than another state school. In-state tuition and costs at UVA are significantly more than that of almost every other public university in the state of Virginia, and it also happens to be one of the most competitive.

I don't follow how UVA is going to give more financial aid for the same applicant than would GMU or VCU. If you're getting something from UVA, you'd likely be getting the same or more from another school. Consider that in terms of less cost to begin with at another school, and that's a significant cost decrease compared to UVA.

That logic seems pretty straightforward to me.

And just to comment, I was offered a partial scholarship to UVA which I turned down to accept a free education at another VA state school. I have not yet regretted it once.

 

[nabeel76]

I just don't think that UVA would ever be cheaper than another state school. In-state tuition and costs at UVA are significantly more than that of almost every other public university in the state of Virginia, and it also happens to be one of the most competitive.

I don't follow how UVA is going to give more financial aid for the same applicant than would GMU or VCU. If you're getting something from UVA, you'd likely be getting the same or more from another school. Consider that in terms of less cost to begin with at another school, and that's a significant cost decrease compared to UVA.

That logic seems pretty straightforward to me.

And just to comment, I was offered a partial scholarship to UVA which I turned down to accept a free education at another VA state school. I have not yet regretted it once.

Not true in this case. UVA implemented a new financial aid policy known as "Access UVA" in 2005. Under this policy no student will be required to take over I believe it is 20 or 25% of their cost of attendance (tuition + housing etc.) in loans - regardless of your parents financial situation. So therefore approximately 75-80% of your yearly COA will be covered via grants and scholarships that you don't have to ever pay back, essentially lowering the advertised tuition by at least 75% for even the richest of students. This makes UVA far far cheaper than ANY other school in Virginia (assuming you don't have a merit scholarship at another school). I graduated with zero debt from UVA under this program since I was over 25 and considered independent of my parents income for financial aid purposes. Therefore I didn't even have to worry about the 0-25% parent contribution loans others might have to take. My roomate at UVA had acceptances to GMU and Virginia Tech prior to coming to UVA and used to laugh about how he'd have been in serious debt had he went to either of those other VA schools based on their financial packages.