University of Virginia | Alexa Flash Briefing

There are over 4,000 colleges and universities in the U.S. And while the media tends to focus on just a handful of schools, we at College Coach encourage students to think outside the box during their college selection process and explore a wide range of colleges, including this week’s School Spotlight, the University of Virginia. Founded by Thomas Jefferson to nurture future leaders, the University of Virginia is among the most selective public universities in the country. Undergrads can choose from among a range of professional degrees, such as architecture, nursing, and engineering, as well as programs in the liberal arts and sciences. Across all of UVA’s undergraduate divisions, the most popular majors include engineering, economics, commerce, and biology. The University has introduced a number of new majors in recent years, including Youth & Social Innovation (in the School of Education) and Public Policy & Leadership (in the School of Leadership & Public Policy). While the campus currently supports 16,800 undergraduates, approximately 30 percent of students are Virginia natives, meaning that competition for out-of-state students remains fierce. The University of Virginia has more than 800 registered student organizations, including the Ballroom Dance Club, Latinx Student Alliance, The Filmmakers Society, and the Virginia Chess Club. Sports fans have a lot to cheer about at UVA. Wahoos (or Hoos, as they’re also known) compete in 27 D1 sports, and the men’s basketball team won the national championship in 2019! Good to know: Rather unique among institutions of higher education, UVA guarantees to meet 100 percent of a student’s demonstrated need through a combination of grants, work-study, and loans.