I GOT SO WASTED LAST NIGHT
Intellectually of course. I have learnt so much over this past week and never before has education been so enjoyable. College education is so practical and applicable...in Economics we learnt that the third hottest shirt color last year for the first time ever was black, after white and blue. Lipstick is a inferior good, and when income decreases, women actually buy MORE lipstick because they can afford less clothes and accessories and thus lipstick serves as a substitute for an extra aesthetic tinge. Women are wearing fuller skirts this year, wilder prints and subtler colors, gold instead of silver. Salsa sales exceeded ketchup sales in the US for the first time last year. All Walmart prices never end in 1, 5 or 9 because of company policy against psychological pricing. Ever wonder why women buy wedding gowns when they are only used once, while men usually rent or buy the cheaper tuxedoes which can be used for multiple instances? Or why in the US crops dont reach till the edge of the railway tracks like they do in the Netherlands? Hitler's favorite movie was Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Kaiser Wilhelm II may have started WWI because of the desire to assert his masculinity in public after he was accused of having homosexual relations with his closest advisors. An old woman was responsible for establishing the KGB in the long term-- her attempted assassination of Lenin led to the creation of a Committee that later evolved into the Soviet agency. Sweden, who we thought was neutral during WWI, was actually allowing Germany to use its cables to tap into American signals.
Whats my point? I dont quite know YET. But I do know that this practical style of learning is much better than the intensive memorization I have been exposed to during most of my previous educational endeavors. I don't just feel like I am absorbing, but I am making sense of the information and finding interrelationships between the various disciples. I like random facts, its true. But these arent random, they are key questions that hold the answer to understanding the way our world works, and the different approaches on how to achieve this level of comprehension.
Enough of the boring stuff. I have had many questions and heard many comments about the University of Virginia as an institution, so for the benefit of those of you who are thinking of applying or who are curious, just some facts and opinions on the University as a whole.
1. Is UVA preppy? First the problem is defining preppy, but thats a TOK question. Yes, I do see popped collars and Ramy sees ties with shorts, but I think preppy is in every college in varying degrees, and it really depends on who you hang out with. Its not as homogenous as they make it out to be if you choose your circle of friends well. Even the SUPPOSEDLY ignorant "white" majority are for the most part quite wordly and open minded about things.
2. Is it all about the academics and is everyone smart? NO. UVA was rated the fittest college in the US, and yes it is the 2nd best public school. People here are well rounded, and either do a sport, are involved in a club or take part in various cultural activities. I met a guy who plays polo, and a girl who teaches salsa dancing. You certainly feel humbled since some of the most educated people are at UVA, but not everyone is smart and there are many people you meet who may be book smart but dont express their opinions or dont apply practical thinking.
3. How is the campus? Its the best part of the University. Its terrific and especially in the nights its great for a cool walk. Great scenery.
4. What about huge class sizes? The greatest myth i feel. Classes are as big as you choose them to be. My classes range from 15, to 50, to about 300 students. But you get this everywhere in varying degrees, and there are always smaller discussion classes in addition to the lectures where you are with 15 other people and you get a more intimate session with the teaching assistants and get to ask questions.
5. What about study abroad? Hmm...study abroad is so popular here that by 2080 the University expects 80% of its students will study abroad at some point. I have heard lots of cool stories about studying abroad in Oxford, London as well as Spain, Australia and Italy.
6. Cultural Mix? Good, I think that its not just the international students but also the worldly American students that make UVA seem diverse. You think some people are ignorant, but they are just not once you get to know them.
7. Dorms/Life? Excellent, great dorms, great lounges, excellent food, and always something to do whether you are sober or want to get drunk intellectually or socially. A very lively atmosphere and since you have a lot of free time, theres a lot of time for exploration.
8. Girls/Guys? Girls are about 57% of UVa students.
9. Should you apply early here? Yes, the University takes in about i dont know....40% of students by way of early decision. So it matters A LOT, unlike schools like...i dont know....Cambridge, William and Mary, Ronaoke School of Cookery.
10. Essays/GPA/SAT/Activities-- From what I have heard, UVA really looks at a wholesome combination of factors and treats each application individually. DO NOT be convinced that a not so good SAT score or GPA will maena you will not get in, although academics, like in EVERY OTHER institution does matter.
Thats all for now. Until the next episode of INTELLECTUALLY WASTED.
Whats my point? I dont quite know YET. But I do know that this practical style of learning is much better than the intensive memorization I have been exposed to during most of my previous educational endeavors. I don't just feel like I am absorbing, but I am making sense of the information and finding interrelationships between the various disciples. I like random facts, its true. But these arent random, they are key questions that hold the answer to understanding the way our world works, and the different approaches on how to achieve this level of comprehension.
Enough of the boring stuff. I have had many questions and heard many comments about the University of Virginia as an institution, so for the benefit of those of you who are thinking of applying or who are curious, just some facts and opinions on the University as a whole.
1. Is UVA preppy? First the problem is defining preppy, but thats a TOK question. Yes, I do see popped collars and Ramy sees ties with shorts, but I think preppy is in every college in varying degrees, and it really depends on who you hang out with. Its not as homogenous as they make it out to be if you choose your circle of friends well. Even the SUPPOSEDLY ignorant "white" majority are for the most part quite wordly and open minded about things.
2. Is it all about the academics and is everyone smart? NO. UVA was rated the fittest college in the US, and yes it is the 2nd best public school. People here are well rounded, and either do a sport, are involved in a club or take part in various cultural activities. I met a guy who plays polo, and a girl who teaches salsa dancing. You certainly feel humbled since some of the most educated people are at UVA, but not everyone is smart and there are many people you meet who may be book smart but dont express their opinions or dont apply practical thinking.
3. How is the campus? Its the best part of the University. Its terrific and especially in the nights its great for a cool walk. Great scenery.
4. What about huge class sizes? The greatest myth i feel. Classes are as big as you choose them to be. My classes range from 15, to 50, to about 300 students. But you get this everywhere in varying degrees, and there are always smaller discussion classes in addition to the lectures where you are with 15 other people and you get a more intimate session with the teaching assistants and get to ask questions.
5. What about study abroad? Hmm...study abroad is so popular here that by 2080 the University expects 80% of its students will study abroad at some point. I have heard lots of cool stories about studying abroad in Oxford, London as well as Spain, Australia and Italy.
6. Cultural Mix? Good, I think that its not just the international students but also the worldly American students that make UVA seem diverse. You think some people are ignorant, but they are just not once you get to know them.
7. Dorms/Life? Excellent, great dorms, great lounges, excellent food, and always something to do whether you are sober or want to get drunk intellectually or socially. A very lively atmosphere and since you have a lot of free time, theres a lot of time for exploration.
8. Girls/Guys? Girls are about 57% of UVa students.
9. Should you apply early here? Yes, the University takes in about i dont know....40% of students by way of early decision. So it matters A LOT, unlike schools like...i dont know....Cambridge, William and Mary, Ronaoke School of Cookery.
10. Essays/GPA/SAT/Activities-- From what I have heard, UVA really looks at a wholesome combination of factors and treats each application individually. DO NOT be convinced that a not so good SAT score or GPA will maena you will not get in, although academics, like in EVERY OTHER institution does matter.
Thats all for now. Until the next episode of INTELLECTUALLY WASTED.