Recently, 40 of Gainesville High School’s seniors and Juniors had the opportunity to visit the University of Virginia, where they were able to take a tour, try the food, visit the bookstore, and learn more about student life as well as the admission process.
The day began with a session focused on academics, where students learned about UVA’s majors, research opportunities, and the overall structure of its undergraduate programs. Representatives explained how students are encouraged to explore different fields before committing to a specific path, while highlighting UVA’s continuous and lifelong dedication to learning in the way they refer to students by their year rather than juniors, seniors, etc.
“The school implements very nice programs that allow students to focus on their studies while also interacting with their peers, forming new connections. Which really enriches the college experience” Senior Helen Nguyen said.
Overall, this session helped many Gainesville students get a better sense of what classroom life and academic expectations at a major university might look like.
After the academic overview, students headed out for a guided campus tour. They were able to walk through the historic Lawn, see the Rotunda up close, and explore several academic and residential areas. Tour guides shared traditions, fun facts, and stories that helped bring the campus to life.
“I think that there were a lot of diverse students at the campus, a very diverse community. I really like how you’re able to talk to everyone and can meet anyone from really anywhere in the world. I was able to talk to a variety of different students at UVA and learned that they come from so many different places” Junior Saranya Patel said.
The experience gave students a chance to picture themselves navigating a college campus and connecting with the UVA community. Once the tour wrapped up, the group stopped for lunch to sample the food options available on campus. Students tried a variety of meals and experienced what dining hall life is like for UVA students daily. Many were surprised by the range of options and the quality of the meals.
“The food in the dining hall was okay. My favorite foods I tried were their fries because I think they used a special seasoning to make it spicier. For dessert, I really liked the brownie they had for us” Junior Ashima Bawa said.
Lunch in the dining hall gave everyone an opportunity to relax and talk about their first impressions of the school.
All in all, this was an excellent opportunity for students who wanted to learn more about the school and admission process while also allowing them to experience what life there may be like.
