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Quality of Life Survey |
| Full-time law program |
UVA's quality of life is its major draw among top-ten law schools. Set
in the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains in central Virginia,
students are 30 minutes away from hiking the Appalachian trial or skiing
Wintergreen in the winter. Tubing on the James River and mountain
biking are just some of the outdoor adventure opportunities awaiting
students.
The law school grounds are beautiful and conducive to enjoying the
outdoors as well as study. The school forms a square with classrooms
and office space in two halls on either side of the entry way. The
front of the square is a reception area and hallways connecting the two
sides of the square. The back of the square connects the two hallways
and houses the student cafe, student mailboxes, and lockers for housing
student belongings. Within the square is a courtyard with grass, trees,
benches, and a fish pond, allowing students the opportunity to relax
outside and enjoy Virginia's pleasant climate while pondering cases and
legal research.
Housing is available close to the law school, either through University
housing (both family housing and single student housing is available
within walking distance) or through private providers. University
housing for single students is usually a 2 bedroom unit with a communal
living space with 2 students to a room. Private apartments in the
vicinity of the law school range in price with the high-end around
$1,000 to $1,200 a month for townhome style living with 2 or 3 bedrooms,
or 2 bedrooms with an office. Within driving distance are a number of
housing options, including condominiums, townhomes, apartments, and
homes. Many students also rent private homes and share the cost.
Charlottesville is a quiet town with a low crime rate. The city
population is approximately 25,000 with the surrounding county holding
140,000 residents. Despite the low population, the influx of students
during the school year keeps things very lively.
Within the city is a teaching hospital for the University of Virginia
which provides excellent medical care for students without too far to
travel, even for major medical emergencies. Crime and safety are rarely
a concern, although normal safety precautions are advised in
neighborhoods with large student populations, particularly for women.
Dining out in Charlottesville is a smorgasbord of choices ranging the
full gamut of international and traditional cuisine. Because of the
student population, there are numerous cheap eating establishments,
including the White Spot offering the Gusburger (a hamburger with a
fried egg on it) and Taiwan Garden (daily specials with soup, entree,
and fortune cookie for $4.25). The affluent residential population,
which includes such notable figures as John Grisham, Howie Long, and
Sissy Spacek, leads to higher end gourmet restaurants, including the
Boar's Head Inn, Ivy Inn, and OXO, great food for a reasonable price.
Charlottesville also offers many other opportunities which make the
quality of life excellent. The University-owned golf course, Birdwood,
has cheap semester passes for unlimited golfing for $350-$400. For
students without that much in their budget, the municipal park has a $3,
9-hole course with dirt greens where beginners can learn and experienced
players can practice their longer shots without denting their pocketbook.
The more adventurous can try out the free skate park for rollerblading
or BMX-bike tricks and for a modest amount there is a year-round ice
rink offering hockey and figure-skating lessons.
For shoppers, the Downtown Mall offers an outdoor pedestrian mall with a
variety of shops carrying Virginia crafts, antiques, and restaurants,
and a free Friday night concert during the early spring and summer.
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University of Virginia School of Law Admission & Application Surveys
