EcceQuamBonum Posted March 1, 2010 Posted March 1, 2010 I didn't see a thread for UVA admits, so here goes. Who's going? Who's thinking about going? Unless my remaining two schools come through with some impressive funding offers (and acceptances), I'll be hanging around the English department next year. So, uh, holla!
AmHist2010 Posted March 2, 2010 Posted March 2, 2010 I didn't see a thread for UVA admits, so here goes. Who's going? Who's thinking about going? Unless my remaining two schools come through with some impressive funding offers (and acceptances), I'll be hanging around the English department next year. So, uh, holla! I'm strongly leaning toward UVA as well. Down to it and one other place for history. If anyone has questions about C'ville, I'd be happy to help. Though I currently live in New England, my family lives in C'ville, so I know the town pretty well.
EcceQuamBonum Posted March 2, 2010 Author Posted March 2, 2010 I'm strongly leaning toward UVA as well. Down to it and one other place for history. If anyone has questions about C'ville, I'd be happy to help. Though I currently live in New England, my family lives in C'ville, so I know the town pretty well. So, everyone I've talked to who did graduate work at UVA absolutely loved C'ville. I'm guessing it's not this completely idyllic place with cheap housing and friendly faces aplenty, is it? What are the major downsides to living in C'ville?
lompoc727 Posted March 2, 2010 Posted March 2, 2010 So, everyone I've talked to who did graduate work at UVA absolutely loved C'ville. I'm guessing it's not this completely idyllic place with cheap housing and friendly faces aplenty, is it? What are the major downsides to living in C'ville? I'm also strongly considering UVA for my English PhD. What's your subfield? I am eager for more info regarding their open house, etc, but I'll have to be patient I guess!
EcceQuamBonum Posted March 2, 2010 Author Posted March 2, 2010 I'm also strongly considering UVA for my English PhD. What's your subfield? I am eager for more info regarding their open house, etc, but I'll have to be patient I guess! Awesome! My subfield is the Restoration and Eighteenth Century. From what I can gather, their open house is tentatively scheduled for March 25th and 26th, which sort of sucks because I'll be taking my comprehensive exam that day. After the months of waiting, my patience has almost run out, I must say, haha.
AmHist2010 Posted March 3, 2010 Posted March 3, 2010 So, everyone I've talked to who did graduate work at UVA absolutely loved C'ville. I'm guessing it's not this completely idyllic place with cheap housing and friendly faces aplenty, is it? What are the major downsides to living in C'ville? It all depends what you're looking for in a town, I suppose. In many ways, Charlottesville is well deserving of the myriad high rankings and awards bestowed upon it each year. The downside to this, of course, is that a lot of boomers are fleeing Northern VA for C'ville, which leads to an expansion in the suburban/planned communities at its edges. But the nucleus of the town--UVA and the "Corner" (the downtown area right next to campus) and the Downtown Mall area--are wonderful stretches of great local food, cafes, bookstores, bars, and the like. Charlottesville, like many similar towns, has a nice blend of affluence and hippy culture to give it a rich intellectual culture and liberal vibe, yet enough Appalachian culture to give it a folkiness. It's also nestled into the Shenandoahs, so it's beautiful year round. And while Route 29 (the major highway from DC through C'ville) is lined with strip malls, it's quite easy to live in Charlottesville and never use 29--you can basically make your life exist near the University and Downtown areas. Generally, if you're into a more "suburban," box-store lifestyle, you can have that. But if you like all things local--especially your food--C'ville is an excellent place to live. The downsides probably depend on where you're coming from. I currently live in Cambridge, MA, so housing in C'ville is comparatively dirt cheap. The History stipend--compared to English--at UVA is measly, but I'd actually be making out better than I do at present because housing is that much cheaper. [if you live off-campus, it looks like www.brac.com is one of the better places to find housing. It is a bit better than Craigslist there because Craigslist is dominated by condo realtors in the area] Also, if you're used to living in a city and without a car--and if that's something you enjoy--that becomes more difficult in Charlottesville. It has a strong bus system, but if you bike, be prepared for mammoth hills throughout town. I suppose if your life could take place in a small area, you could do without a car, but unless you live very close to or on campus, you may need a car. It'd actually be a good town for a scooter. Let me know if I can provide other specifics.
far_to_go Posted April 19, 2010 Posted April 19, 2010 I'm going to UVa in the fall! Ph.D. in Anthropology, whoop whoop! Looking forward to life in Charlotteville- I grew up on the East Coast (mostly in Maryland), but have been living in Southern California for the past 4 years. Will definitely enjoy being back in a place where there are real seasons and real trees! I'm looking around at different housing options and just applied to a community-housing type of arrangement called CHUVA: http://www.student.virginia.edu/coop/. Does anyone else know anything about CHUVA? Anyone else applying to live there?
quentinc Posted April 20, 2010 Posted April 20, 2010 I'm an incoming English PhD student at UVA, and I too am looking into housing (from afar), and just applied to that CHUVA thing. Unfortunately I'm as much in the dark as you are. Hopefully someone can give us some advice. If you find any promising leads on housing, let me know. I'm more than open to housing with other new grads too. I've never been to Charlottesville before, but it sounds like a great place.
Marebear Posted April 21, 2010 Posted April 21, 2010 Hello all, I'm an incoming English MA student to UVA this fall. Not quite as illustrious as the PhDs, but I'm still pretty excited. I'm also on the market for housemates or apartment mates and am very open to living with incoming graduate students somewhere close but off-campus. If anyone is looking for a clean, bookish, and laid back extra housemate send me a message!
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