University of Virginia - Academics

Quick Stats

College Prowler Take

Most students agree that the professors at UVA are outstanding, qualified, brilliant, and passionate men and women. As expected, there are occasional complaints about class structure, material, and size, as well as some unfortunate cases of disinterested teachers. The quality and interest level of classes and professors vary throughout the different schools and departments at UVA. For the most part, students find that classes and professors in the College of Arts and Sciences (particularly the English, drama, history, and psychology departments) are more liberal and interesting. Some of the more technical, scientific courses and schools (biology or engineering, for example) can be a necessary burden, even for students specializing in those fields.

Although it can be difficult getting to know a professor in a lecture setting, taking smaller seminars gives you a much better opportunity to get close to professors. How well you get to know your professors largely depends on the size of your major and the initiative you take with them. Older students are often very helpful with class and professor recommendations, so use them as a resource to achieve a more fulfilling academic experience. Though the best professors tend to only teach upperclassmen, be patient. Learn from your TA in the meantime—even though it may be disappointing and frustrating at times. Remember that TAs are more accessible, younger, and often more enthusiastic about the classes they’re working with; you can use this to your advantage and get more out of your learning experience. In general, as long as you are interested in developing a relationship with some of your teachers, whether they be TAs or professors, you will no doubt excel academically at Virginia.

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Students Speak Out

Anonymous says:

During my time at UVA, I had a... During my time at UVA, I had a handful of the best, as well as some of the most disinterested teachers I’ve ever had. In my experience as a biology and psychology double major, I found that the greatest challenge was the way the courses were structured, and more specifically, the class size of most of the courses. For courses within my majors, it was not until my fourth and final year that I had a class where the professor was close enough to me that I did not need my glasses to make out his/her face. I suppose that, in short, I found most of my college experience rather impersonal. In order to overcome the large class sizes and truly get to know a professor, one has to expend a good deal of energy going to extra office hours, and staying after class. As a result of this dynamic, some of my more influential teacher-student relationships at UVA were with TAs. 12345 Academics Report

vabaker2011 says: University of Virginia 2015 Education

I've had mixed experiences with... I've had mixed experiences with professors. Generally, though, most want you to succeed. They won't baby you through the course like in high school, but they listen to your concerns. For the larger lecture classes, going to office hours makes a huge difference. 12345 Academics: June 14, 2009 Report

Anonymous says:

The TAs are really helpful. I find... The TAs are really helpful. I find that I’ve had better relationships with them than some professors, because every large lecture is also broken into a small discussion section with the TA. During the smaller discussion sections is where you’ll get more productive, interactive learning. 12345 Academics Report

Anonymous says:

You’ll have some lectures taught... You’ll have some lectures taught by professors, and smaller ones taught by grad students who are getting their PhDs. All the lectures I had this year were really good, on the whole. 12345 Academics Report

Anonymous says:

It depends on what your major is,... It depends on what your major is, the type of classes you’re taking, and your own academic ability. It’s extremely relative. I’m a second-year major in the humanities. At all costs (unless it’s mandated), avoid 101 courses. Chemistry, calculus, economics, and statistics are quite challenging, so beware. 12345 Academics Report

Facts

Did You Know?

The Rotunda was designed by Thomas Jefferson after the Pantheon in Rome and is meant to symbolize the enlightened human mind. Jefferson chose this site at the head of campus to be a library, whereas most other 19th century universities often chose a chapel as their central feature.

UVA has the highest graduation and retention rate of any public college or university

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