Photo illustration by Ziniu Chen, University Communications
Last week, University of Virginia students hit the books again as the fall semester got underway. For first-year students, it is their initial opportunity to experience the Grounds in full force. After many spent much or all of the past 18 months online, their excitement for the upcoming school year is palpable.
Recently, we caught up with six new students to hear their perspectives.
Hometown: Winchester
Q. What drew you to UVA?
A. UVA is a very well-rounded school, as it excels in academics, sports and student life. I was looking for a school with a balance between all those things, and UVA seemed like the perfect fit.
Q. What are you looking forward to at UVA?
A. Iām really looking forward to meeting friends who are passionate about their futures, who I can learn from and have fun with.
Q. What classes are you most excited about taking?
A. I have received great recommendations for classes and I hope to take psychology and Spanish classes.
Hometown: Potomac, Maryland
Q: What drew you to UVA?
A: I originally wasnāt planning on applying to UVA. However, I had to take my SATs in Virginia because there were none available in Maryland. When I came down to take the SAT, I stopped for a quick tour of UVA. I immediately fell in love with the campus and added UVA to my list as soon as I got home.
Q: What are you looking forward to at UVA?
A: I am looking forward to being independent after being stuck in quarantine for over a year. It is nice to be somewhere new.
Q: What classes are you most excited about taking?
A: The class I am most excited about taking is [engineering professor] David Greenās āScience of Cookingā class. I am not currently taking this class, but I plan on taking it next semester. I only know how to make two dishes, but have always enjoyed making them. Getting to learn more about how the processes actually work is very exciting.
Hometown: Fairfax
Q. What drew you to UVA?
A. I felt like UVA was a great fit for me academically, socially and personally, as well as being close to home, which I really enjoy.
Q. What are you looking forward to at UVA?
A. Iām looking forward to having new opportunities, embarking on new adventures, and doing so with both new and old friends.
Q. What classes are you most excited about taking?
A. Iām looking forward to āMultivariable Calculusā and āIntroduction to Engineeringā because they both seem to be interesting classes in subjects that Iāve enjoyed in the past.
Hometown: Centreville
Q. What drew you to UVA?
A. What drew me to UVA was not only the academic rigor or how beautiful Grounds is, but the sense of community; when I took my (unofficial) tour, it just felt like home.
Q. What are you looking forward to at UVA?
A. Iām looking forward to taking part in volunteering and getting to know the Latinx community at UVA.
Q. What classes are you most excited about taking?
A Iām excited to take engineering and chemistry. Iām really looking forward to the challenge!
Hometown: Berryville
Q. What drew you to UVA?
A. There are so many aspects that drew me to UVA, but the most important one was how lively the campus was for a school that offered a strong education.
Q. What are you looking forward to at UVA?
A. Iām really looking forward to meeting new people and taking classes that interest me.
Q. What classes are you most excited about taking?
A. Iām excited about taking classes such as biology and chemistry because of my interest in science. Iām also excited about taking a Cold War class this semester because Iāve always been fascinated with history.
Hometown: Fredericksburg
Q. What drew you to UVA?
A. What initially drew me in was the ivy on all the buildings. Thereās something so mysterious and ancient about it. After some research about Grounds, I discovered tons of information about architecture, secret societies and Thomas Jefferson. As a history buff, I love not only the academic and vibrant community, but how you could almost literally feel the history pour out from every crack within the bricks. The more time I spent on grounds, researching about the University, and eating at Bodoās, the more I fell in love.
Q. What are you looking forward to at UVA?
A. Iām looking forward to an intentional community within academia. Iām looking forward to becoming best friends with girls down the hall from me. Iām looking forward to going to libraries to study. Iām looking forward to trying every place on the Corner. Iām even excited to struggle in a class in person. So many of us havenāt been able to go in person to school for the past year. So I think itās safe to say Iām excited to make friends and to feed my curiosity.
Q. What classes are you most excited about taking?
A. As a potential philosophy, political thought and law major, I am very excited to take philosophy and challenge the way I think. Also, I would be lying If I didnāt say I was excited for astronomy. They have an observatory here ā that is so cool!
