University of Virginia
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA
The University of Virginia is a public university in VA, founded in 1819 and offers Bachelor’s degrees for undergraduates and Master’s and Doctoral degrees for graduate students. The undergraduate enrollment is 17,311, and the graduate enrollment is 8,318. The University of Virginia is a hyper-selective school, receiving 40,878 applications and accepting 22.6% of applicants. The University of Virginia’s athletics teams competes at club, intramural, and varsity levels. Additionally, the University of Virginia employs 1,551 full-time instructional staff (93% of whom hold doctorate degrees) and has a 14:1 student to faculty ratio.
Empowerly Score®
82
University Score
- School Performance
- Extracurriculars
- Standardized Tests
- Essays
Empowerly Score®
At Empowerly, we prioritize data to customize our approach to student counseling. College admissions is becoming more selective by the year, so it’s never been more important than now to prepare in advance and give yourself the best chance for success.
Take the Empowerly QuizESSAYS
Applicants applying to the University of Virginia will apply through the Common Application. Applicants will be required to write one personal statement based on a set of prompts within the application.
Deadlines For Submitting Applications
Early Decision Application Deadline
November 1st
Early Action Application Deadline
November 1st
Regular Application Deadline
January 5th
ATTENDANCE FACTORS
- Extracurricular Activities - Important
- Character/Personal Qualities - Very Important
- Academic GPA - Very Important
- Recommendation(s) - Very Important
- Rigor of Secondary School Record - Very Important
Average Acceptance Rate
22.60%
Empowerly Acceptance Rate
46.00%
STUDENT LIFE
Thanks to its historical landscape and a great community, Charlottesville, Virginia, has been ranked one of the “100 Best Places to Live” by Livability. It’s the perfect setting for the University of Virginia’s 1,682-acre campus, which has long served as the model for college and university campuses throughout the United States. Student life at UVA still follows Jefferson’s belief that learning is a lifelong process not accomplished in four years. Academics, athletics, and extracurricular activities all have their place in the community to help first-year students find their niche and connect with a diverse student body. The University of Virginia’s rich history means a wealth of unique traditions that bond the UVA community, such as the nation’s first codified honor system, instituted in 1842 that’s still observed today. Another tradition first-year students quickly adopt is the lingo like calling the campus “the Grounds” and calling their grade levels by first-years, second-years, third-years, and fourth-years.
Housing
- 39% of students live on campus
- Guaranteed housing for freshmen
- Freshmen required to live on campus
The University of Virginia requires first-year students to live in on-campus housing. First-years are therefore assigned to two housing areas: McCormick Road Dormitories, also known as “Old Dorms” (currently undergoing renovation), and Alderman Road Dormitories, often called “New Dorms.” The UVA dorms offer first-year students home on the Grounds, conveniently located near their classes. Additionally, it’s the opportunity to be part of a welcoming residential community that they can turn to for academic, cultural, or social assistance. The University of Virginia fosters a varied living environment where students live, learn, and socialize. They even have the opportunity to lead as first-years through Residential Leadership Experience. Furthermore, UVA never forgets its past residents like Edgar Allan Poe, whose room has been preserved since 1904.
Life as a Student
As a student at the University of Virginia, you can wake up on America’s most beautiful college campus with the Blue Ridge Mountains as your backdrop. With its outstanding 14:1 student-faculty ratio, UVA has over 50% of its classes with fewer than 20 students, so professors frequently know their students’ names. Despite its small college vibe, the school is large enough to provide world-class resources and opportunities befitting a significant research university. UVA students quickly find they have access to over 800 student clubs to help them find their niche and people, from athletics to literature to salsa dancing. One thing’s certain: student life is never boring at the University of Virginia.
TOP MAJORS
Liberal Arts and Humanities
Economics
Management Sciences and Information Systems
Biology
International Relations
Psychology
SERVICES
Health and Safety
- 24-hour trained security on campus
- Student security patrol
- Late night ride/safe escort service available
Student Services
- Health Center
- Legal Advice
- Psychological Counseling
- Women's Center
Athletics
Varsity
Varsity
Baseball
Basketball
Football
Golf
Lacrosse
Soccer
Squash
Swimming and Diving
Tennis
Track and Field
Wrestling
Cross-Country Running
Basketball
Field Hockey
Golf
Lacrosse
Rowing
Soccer
Softball
Squash
Swimming and Diving
Tennis
Track and Field
Volleyball
Cross-Country Running
Club
Club
Archery
Badminton
Baseball
Basketball
Cheerleading
Equestrian Sports
Fencing
Golf
Gymnastics
Ice Hockey
Racquetball
Riflery
Rock Climbing
Rowing
Rugby
Sailing
Skiing (Downhill)
Soccer
Squash
Swimming and Diving
Tennis
Track and Field
Ultimate Frisbee
Volleyball
Water Polo
Wrestling
Cross-Country Running
Archery
Badminton
Basketball
Cheerleading
Equestrian Sports
Fencing
Field Hockey
Golf
Gymnastics
Lacrosse
Racquetball
Riflery
Rock Climbing
Rugby
Sailing
Skiing (Downhill)
Soccer
Softball
Squash
Swimming and Diving
Tennis
Track and Field
Ultimate Frisbee
Volleyball
Water Polo
Wrestling
Cross-Country Running
Intramural
Intramural
Football
FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION
As long as students apply by the March 1st deadline, the University of Virginia will meet 100% of demonstrated financial need through scholarships, grants, work-study, and need-based loans.
*All costs below are estimates and may differ based on your circumstances.
- Tuition (Resident) - $14,878, (Out-of-State) - $50,348
- Fees (Resident) - $3,358, (Out-of-State) - $4,040
- Miscellaneous (Resident) - $17,616, (Out-of-State) - $18,636
- Total Average Estimated Cost of Attendance (Resident) - $35,852, (Out of State) - $73,024
CORPORATE PARTNERSHIP / AFFILIATES
HISTORY
The University of Virginia (UVA) was founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson, whose dream was to establish a university “on the most extensive and liberal scale that our circumstances would call for and our faculties meet” and for the most promising students from “other states to come, and drink of the cup of knowledge.” The school’s location in Charlottesville, VA, has the distinction of being chosen by three United States presidents, specifically Jefferson, James Monroe, and James Madison, who both likewise served on the UVA board. Jefferson’s alma mater, the College of William and Mary—also in Virginia—was fast declining due to its religious affiliation. As a result, Jefferson ensured that the University of Virginia would be free of similar constraints, a rarity at the time.
The University of Virginia further differentiated itself by allowing students to study in one or more of UVA’s eight independent schools. Subsequently, UVA became the first engineering institution in the country hosted at a general university after its School of Engineering, and Applied Science opened in 1836. It entered the 20th century by bringing about long-awaited changes beginning with the appointment of its first president, Edwin Alderman, in 1904. Alderman promptly initiated several reforms, such as extending one of the first school-sponsored financial aid programs. The University of Virginia opened to black undergraduates by 1955 and became fully coeducational in the 1970s. Student demand for greater integration and coeducation led to the May Strike of 1970, which protested for higher black enrollment and equal access for women.
Today, the University of Virginia is ranked #25 in National Universities by U.S. News Best Colleges. The school has a total undergraduate enrollment of 17,311 and a graduate enrollment of 8,318. With its 23.9% acceptance rate, UVA is most selective. The school combines rigorous academics, competitive athletics, and numerous extracurricular activities throughout its semester-based academic calendar. The Virginia Cavaliers consistently rank near the top of the collegiate athletics program, winning seventeen NCAA championships in the 21st century alone. The University of Virginia has graduated 55 Rhodes Scholars, which is the eighth-highest number. Noble Laureate William Faulkner served as “Writer-in-Residence” in 1957. Notable UVA alumni include 28th President of the United States Woodrow Wilson, writer Edgar Allan Poe, and United States Senator Robert F. Kennedy.