Virginia Tech Reviews

There is a zero-tolerance drug...

There is a zero-tolerance drug policy, so that can be a really big deal. I have found that the police aren't really out to bust students and can be fairly lax at times, at least compared to other schools like Radford University, where the police are just looking for people to bust for alcohol violations.

Greek life is pretty big at...

Greek life is pretty big at Virginia Tech, but if you don't go Greek, people don't care. I am a part of Greek life, and I think it is amazing. I have met people who I know are going to be lifelong friends and have had plenty of good times with my sorority. Fraternity parties are a lot of fun here, though some are a lot better than others. Most people tend to just go out to their friends' apartments on weekends and maybe every now and then go to a fraternity party.

There are many apartments...

There are many apartments available off-campus. I think it is convenient to live on campus because you are close to all the buildings, but living off campus seems to be more like a home. The buses run to almost every apartment complex, and they are all located close to campus allowing people to walk or ride their bikes. Most of the apartments are cheaper than on campus housing.

Outside, many sand volleyball...

Outside, many sand volleyball courts are placed among the dorms, and there is a central basketball park in the residential area. Two gyms are located on campus: War Memorial, an old-but-still-equipped gym with no air conditioning, and McComas, which is currently expanding an entire new area. There is also a large indoor basketball complex being built. Food courts and dining halls are very delicious, and West End was even nationally ranked.

Apartments are the best. If you...

Apartments are the best. If you can get an apartment after your freshman year, it is worth it. The dorms are great to meet people, but it is a lot better to have some of your own space and a happy place to come back to. Tech can tend to get slightly depressing living on campus all the time, especially if it is a gray day on the Drillfield. So if you can, get an apartment, there are many that are close enough to walk or drive to campus from and they are easy to find.

The police are pretty strict on...

The police are pretty strict on drinking in the dorms. If you are discrete about it, you will probably be fine, but if you decide to have a large party in your room, you will most likely get caught. The thing to remember is that your roommate gets punished for it, too, even if they are not involved. So don't forget to consider others if you are going to try and get away with something.

Best facilities in the nation. We...

Best facilities in the nation. We have two huge student gyms that are each two stories. They each have full basketball courts, huge weight rooms, full swimming pools (open to students), racquetball, and much more. Also the library is gigantic. It is about seven or eight stories and has anything you would ever want. Also, most library material can be accessed online, as long as you are an enrolled student.

Public transportation has got to...

Public transportation has got to be the best in the nation. While talking to others who go to other schools, I found I am very lucky. They have free student buses running to every part of town, and a bus stop is located about every half block. Also, there is plenty of student parking if one does decide to drive.

We are known for having some of...

We are known for having some of the best technology nationwide. We have a math emporium that is open 24 hours a day and has more than 500 brand new Mac computers for students to use. Still, it's always a good idea to have your own computer. Students will find that at any college however.

Off Campus housing is offered...

Off Campus housing is offered everywhere. If you don't have a roommate arranged when it gets down to the wire, there are plenty of oppurtunities for random housing off campus, and you could meet some of your closest friends in those oppurtunities. It's completely worth it to experience the difference in social environments, and you wouldn't regret it by any means.

Some dorms on campus have labs...

Some dorms on campus have labs located in them, which is very convenient and handy. There always computers available in Torg and in the library. Off-campus, Tech has the Math Emporium, which is filled with hundreds of computers for students' use 24 hours a day!

Most computer labs are crowded,...

Most computer labs are crowded, but everyone has their own laptop on campus---it's required. We have Wi-Fi Internet everywhere on campus, so it is very convient to just pull out your own computer.

Most of the professors at Tech are...

Most of the professors at Tech are amazing. They really care about students, and they love what they teach. I do enjoy my classes, for the most part.

Being a guy, I guess you could say...

Being a guy, I guess you could say most of the girls here are hot. Okay, they’re really hot, and they’re usually open to talking. It’s different from high school. They’re more mature, and they actually respond to respect. Nice guys don’t always finish last.

You will never go hungry at Tech....

You will never go hungry at Tech. There is a lot to eat! Try West End and D2 for some good dishes!

It’s dining hall food, but...

It’s dining hall food, but compared to other universities, it is above average.

Food is decent. There is a lot of...

Food is decent. There is a lot of variety, and the atmospheres of the dining centers are all very interesting. Sometimes, the food can get old because, although there are many dining centers, they offer most of the same food every day.

Professors in the College of...

Professors in the College of Natural Resources, and most likely throughout the entire University, make a conscious effort to become not only an advisor, but also a friend.

Most teachers here are very...

Most teachers here are very likeable, especially after you pick a major and start getting to know them in your third and fourth years.

Tech has one of the largest Greek...

Tech has one of the largest Greek systems, but the environment here is definitely not dominated by Greek life, including the social scene. There are thousands of other organizations and thousands of non-Greeks. Downtown you’ll find a balance between the Greeks and non-Greeks (and there really isn’t much stress on that divide, either).

Going Greek is a good way to...

Going Greek is a good way to network, but it hardly dominates the social scene.

Parking is my least favorite thing...

Parking is my least favorite thing about Tech. I have spent many a dollar on parking tickets and the like. Good luck trying to find a spot in the commuter lot if it is five minutes before class and not a Friday. My best advice is going early and scouting out your spot. And don’t just throw out those little orange pamphlets they give you when you buy your parking pass. They contain the secret legal hours of parking around campus. Good luck finding parking hours posted anywhere else.

I have been here for four years...

I have been here for four years and am now a graduate student here. I enjoy it. I am from Connecticut, in a town about an hour outside of New York City, so at times, I feel very isolated here—especially since Roanoke is considered the ‘big city.’ Who are they kidding?

The dorms are...

The dorms are dorms—decent-sized rooms with a sink and mirror. If the dorms aren't your scene, you can live off campus the next three years (or four if you're in Architecture). There are plenty of apartments and townhouses—just be sure to get your applications in by Thanksgiving break.

It's easy to be involved with...

It's easy to be involved with drugs because something is always going on. But it's also easy to just have a good time without them.