University of Virginia: Off the Record - College Prowler (Off the Record)

Did you know that UVA has the highest graduation and retention rate of any public college or university!

but...

Did you know about the notorious Greek life that seems to infest the social scene, the enormous size of the student body, and the fact that your social security number is all that will distinguish you from other students at summer orientation?

And listen to what one student has to say about the typical guys and girls at UVA:

"While there is a mix of all types of students at UVA, in my experience there are two dominant subtypes. The guy: dressed in khakis, flip-flops even in the winter, polo shirt with the collar turned up making him look something like a confused magician, and bag slung over his shoulder. The girl: spent hours on her hair this morning to impress the polo boy, carrying the latest Kate Spade bag over one shoulder (no matter how heavy her books are), wearing a tank top and skirt even as it becomes too cold to be comfortable, and either Reef flip-flops or a high-heel version. Both guys and girls seem ridiculous. I suppose we have a reputation for being good-looking, but I think that comes with a healthy dose of snottiness."

Does all of this sound like something you could handle? Of course, not everything the students have to say about UVA is bad; for the most part, everyone loves it!

"UVA is really big into tradition. I love the feeling that the University tries to preserve some of the best parts of its past while opening the door to new things everyday. I do not know what else I can say about UVA, other than the fact that it was truly the best four years of my life, and I will be back for many years to come. UVA has one of the world's largest endowments-UVA alumni give back more money than most schools, which I think is a testament to how much they loved their time here!"

Don't wait until you're enrolled to find out what the UVA experience is really like! Get the current students' perspectives on everything from campus housing to nightlife to diversity in the College Prowler guidebook to the University of Virginia.

Visiting campus isn't enough.

Read our University of Virginia insider guide and discover what it feels like to be on campus for 4 years.

Discover if UVA is Right for You.