The University of Virginia (UVA) is a public university founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson in the college town of Charlottesville, Virginia. The university is known for its beautiful and iconic Jeffersonian architecture rooted in Roman and Greek techniques, and sprawling central lawn which is used to host graduations, school events, and local festivals. Charlottesville is located near Monticello, where Thomas Jefferson lived and worked during the school’s early years. Since its inception, the school has expanded to include a medical school, law school, and massive athletics department that competes in the ACC, represented by the school’s mascot, the Cavalier.  

UVA is one of the wealthiest public universities in the world with an endowment exceeding $7 billion, and an annual budget of over $1.9 billion. The current enrollment at UVA is 25,000 students, and most class sizes are under 20 students, making it an intimate and competitive learning environment. Due to its proximity to Washington D.C., UVA has cultivated ties with some of the nation’s top governmental programs like the FBI and CIA, as depicted in the film The Silence of the Lambs. 

UVA students have plenty to do while on-campus with over 100 academic and social clubs to choose from, along with a popular Greek system that is situated a few miles from the central lawn. Some well-known colleges at UVA include the Darden School of Business, Curry School of Education, and the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy. It is one of the top public universities in the United States and is highly competitive for both undergraduate and graduate applicants. Notable alumni include poet Edgar Allen Poe, artist Georgia O'Keeffe, and actress Tina Fey.