Virginia Tech

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Students Say - Academics
Students at tech schools don't typically brag about their quality of life, but then again, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, otherwise known as Virginia Tech, is not your typical tech school. Here, students happily discover that they can enjoy "a diverse community," "an accepting atmosphere," "a football program that takes priority for all but the most dedicated students," and the opportunity "to have a blast in college while still staying focused on their education." Without losing access to "a great science program" (in which "undergraduate research is huge"), strong engineering programs, and outstanding offerings in architecture, agricultural science, forestry, and business. Throughout this large school, undergrads are pleasantly surprised to find this school offers a well-rounded experience. Professors "who are always willing to help answer questions," although they warn that "there are a few classes where you can't understand anything the professor says, and he can't figure out how to explain it." Sometimes the result of a language barrier, other times the result of the difficulty of the concept being taught. Fortunately, "even if your teacher can't help you understand something, is not very hard to find someone who can." About 1 in 5 students here pursues engineering, a degree that "provides a mixture of practical and theoretical teaching in the classes, experimental labs, a design capstone" and "a cooperative education program that places great value on applying knowledge in the real world."

Students Say - Campus Life
Virginia Tech may be located "in the middle of nowhere," but students don't seem to mind, because "the people you meet and the cozy town of Blacksburg can be so much fun. Being part of the Hokie nation is really special." That's especially true during football season, because the football team "is king in Blacksburg. It's hard not to be excited about football when you are tailgating with friends and seeing 60,000 people pack the stadium." While "most people are very serious about school work," they "still have time to go party" or "to have fun in a place called the Break Zone, where you can go bowling, play pool, or just hang out." Greek life is also "pretty big and a really great thing." Whenever weather permits, "you can always find people outside playing volleyball or basketball, or using the drill field for games of pickup soccer and football" at Tech; lots of students exploit the "perfect location for outdoor activities." According to one undergrad, "Within 30 minutes from campus, you can be hiking on the Appalachian Trail, floating down the New River, picnicking in the Jefferson National Forest, or listening to live old-time music at the Floyd Country Store on Friday nights." Shopping has been a problem in the past, but students report that "they are beginning to bring more sites into Blacksburg" and that there's "some shopping in Christianburg," which is about 10 miles away.

Students Say - Student Body
School spirit is strong at Virginia Tech, where students "are typically clad head to toe in maroon and orange with a Virginia Tech/HokieBird logo at least somewhere on their outfit." Students regard themselves as "well-rounded and friendly," the sort of people who "enjoy going out and partying but also know when to study and get their work done." There are lots of folks who fit the description: "Caucasian; middle class; and from the Northern Virginia, Richmond, or Virginia Beach areas," but the school is "very open to student diversity. That's actually an aspect that is being pushed in the student population," where you'll also find "a lot of students from other countries like India and China." With more than 23,000 undergraduates, Virginia Tech's "large student body makes it easy to find many people that have the same interests and are able to become good friends."

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