Wednesday, September 29, 2010

College of Agriculture & Life Sciences Insights: Amber's story

By Amber, a sophomore in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Major: Animal and Poultry Sciences



I am currently a sophomore, enrolled in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at Virginia Tech. My major is Animal and Poultry Sciences with a pre-vet emphasis, for I wish to become a veterinarian. I love being enrolled in CALS for several reasons. For one, it gets me involved in a lot of activities related to animals, for which I have a strong passion. Secondly, it links me to other students who enjoy participating in the same events as me.

By being enrolled in my major, I am able to apply for many volunteer opportunities in subjects that may spark my interest. For example, I applied to work at one of Virginia Tech's horse barns last semester and was actually chosen to help out. I went to the barn twice a week and volunteered my time to take horses in and out of the fields, feed them, clean their stalls,
organize the barn, and administer medicines and supplements when needed. Being a volunteer there opened more doors for me. Now, I work at a horse barns on a regular basis and am getting paid to be around and take care of animals that I love.

This semester I applied again, and am now a volunteer in the research field in the CALS. Currently, I report to the laboratory twice a week for about three or four hours. There I sterilize, wash, and organize equipment, as well as help any of the professors or graduate students with their research projects. With time and involvement, I soon hope to be able to perform my own research.

Were I not enrolled in the CALS, I probably would not have had the opportunity to be involved with animals and research at Virginia Tech. I love learning about animals and the environments that they live in, and if you are anything like me, you too may find that you love the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and feel at home there!


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Tuesday, September 28, 2010

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Insights: Allyson's Story

By Allyson, a junior in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Major: Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise



It's freshman year and after a class period packed with bonds, electrons, and the periodic table of elements, I settle into my seat in my Introduction to Foods and Nutrition class. I breathe a breath of fresh air because this is my favorite class. This is a class that I love to come to, interact in, and a class where I don’t mind studying for tests or doing homework assignments. Introduction to Foods and Nutrition is where my fascination with nutrition began. Before I knew it, I was a Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise major in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Agriculture and Life Sciences is a great college to be in (although I'd have to say that you are in a great place anywhere if you are at Virginia Tech, but I may be slightly biased). The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences has provided me with many more classes, besides just the introduction class, that are fascinating and enjoyable rather than a chore. Food Selection and Preparation is teaching me not only how to follow a recipe and cook, but the reasons behind why food is prepared the way it is and how sometimes recipes need to be altered based on altitude, ingredient substitution, and other factors. My Athletic Injuries class gives me the inside view of what it is like to be in sports medicine from the mouth of the actual Athletic Trainer, who we trust with the health of our beloved Hokies.

Being in this college has opened my eyes to countless opportunities that I didn't even know were available. I receive weekly updates from the department concerning events on campus having to do with our college; clubs and organizations that are geared toward my interests; service opportunities on campus; and numerous other ways to get involved. And all of us students have the opportunity to get our hands dirty by getting involved in undergraduate research or getting a job that goes right along with our major. A close friend of mine actually puts what she's learned in class to use when she goes to Virginia Tech's barn, where she works, and obtains samples, makes observations, and takes care of a lot of the livestock. That's just one of the many great things about Virginia Tech, and about the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences in particular. So I encourage anyone that may have an interest in this particular college at Virginia Tech, to check it out. Who knew that an interesting nutrition class could open up so many doors? But it did, and it could for you too.


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Friday, September 24, 2010

What do you want to be?

How many times have you been asked, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Picking your major in college can be overwhelming. At Virginia Tech, we have more than 70 majors and minors within seven colleges. From biology to interior design, we have a program for you! Below is a list of our colleges and links to the programs of study offered within those colleges.

If you still aren't sure what major to pick, no worries. We have just the thing! We call it "University Studies" (more widely known as "undecided"). For students who don't know what to pick, they can enter University Studies and then decide what major is of most interest to them.

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences: A place where you can study biotechnology, the environment, food production and product development, business, animal or human health, or community development, just to mention a few of the options.

College of Architecture and Urban Studies: Annually, DesignIntelligence, the only national college-ranking survey focused exclusively on design-related programs, ranks the School of Architecture + Design undergraduate architecture program among the top 5 in the nation.

Pamplin College of Business: It is ranked in the top 50 undergraduate business schools by U.S. News and World Report and in the top 10 percent of accredited business programs. Five of the top seven most recruited majors on campus are in the Pamplin College of Business.

College of Engineering: It is the state's largest engineering college, and fifth largest nationally for undergraduate degrees awarded. America’s Best Colleges 2010 survey released by U.S. News & World Report ranked the Virginia Tech College of Engineering's undergraduate program 14th in the nation among all accredited engineering schools that offer doctorates. The National Science Foundation lists the college as 10th in total research expenditures.

College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences: Often referred to as the "people college," our alumni are making their marks in the worlds of business, industry, entertainment, education, government, and research.

College of Natural Resources and Environment: Our programs are ranked among the best in the country and address both the technical and human elements of natural resources and instill in students a sense of stewardship and land-use ethics.

College of Science: The progress being made in the sciences today was only a dream a short while ago, and the departments within the College of Science are on the cutting edge of research and scholarship.

More info:

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Friday, September 17, 2010

September Hokie News

Throughout the academic year, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions publishes a newsletter to keep applicants posted about the latest news, opportunities, and resources at Virginia Tech. Check out the September Hokie News and learn more about:



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Wednesday, September 8, 2010

The students behind the stone

By Michael, a senior in the College of Engineering
Major: Civil Engineering

Being a Hokie is more than wearing orange and maroon, screaming to Enter Sandman, and doing the Hokie Pokey. It's the willingness to help others, the courage to challenge yourself both academically and socially, and the drive to change the world we live in. Being a Hokie is something you are, not something you do.

When I walked on campus for the very first time, I remember noticing that every building looked the same and thinking to myself that it was a pretty neat way to unite the university. Little did I know that it was the students behind the stone that were this uniting factor.

People often ask why Virginia Tech is so special, or why our alumni are so fanatic about this place, well, the answer is simple. Being a Hokie makes you part of a community and when you work, study and live in an environment where everyone strives for excellence, then there is no question that you are bound for success.

Being a Hokie is not a mercenary relationship. It is not a business proposition. It is not an exchange of goods and services for money. It is a shared bond, a love that comes from somewhere we don't understand and can't explain to others. We do not take from this university; it gives to us. Perhaps when we first arrive on its campus, we have our own selfish interests in mind, but by the time we leave, we are transformed. We are Hokies (Stewart, Will; TechSideline.com, 2007).

Being a Hokie means that you are going to have friends who will support and love you for who you are; faculty who will push and challenge you beyond your expectations; opportunities that will change the world and most importantly memories that will last a life time.

More info:

College of Engineering


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Monday, September 6, 2010

Let's Go... HOKIES!

In a recent blog, Virginia Tech Defined, you got an overview of facts and stats related to Virginia Tech. The gist of Virginia Tech's essence is: you can get a quality education at a great price from faculty who are experts in their fields at a leading research university with a great atmosphere.

Ok, now that we have the particulars (very truthful as they are) out of the way, there's one piece to the Virginia Tech puzzle that deserves its own blog. FOOTBALL! Hokies are passionate folks in general, bring football into the mix and it's a whole new ball game (pun intended).

Tonight marks the first football game of this season: Virginia Tech vs. Boise State. Today many Hokies are flooding the FedExField in Landover, Md., to support the team. Can't make it to the game? No worries, you can keep track online at: www.hokiesports.com/football/live/.

To see the complete football schedule, visit www.hokiesports.com/football/schedule. There are 7 upcoming home games. If given the opportunity, you should try to experience a game at Lane Stadium. You really need to experience it first-hand, as it is hard to put into words.

Here's a modest effort at describing a home game: our football team enters the field to Metallica's "Enter Sandman" booming, fans, young and old, jumping up and down, and the united roaring voice of "LET'S GO....HOKIES!" Yeah that didn't do it justice. You just need to be there in person to get how cool it really is. Here's what others have said about us:
Visiting Virginia Tech is worth it no matter when you can make it to campus. However, you should consider checking us out on a game day - it's Hokie Spirit gone wild (in a good and wholesome way) I tell you!


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Friday, September 3, 2010

Welcome to the Hokie Neighborhood

By Michelle, 2010 graduate and current Admissions Advisor
Pamplin College of Business

Having never lived away from home, and knowing only three students from my high school in Maryland, I came to Virginia Tech as a pretty lost freshman. That quickly changed though. Luckily, Virginia Tech hosts "Hokie Hi," a welcome week full of campus events to welcome Hokies back to campus!

Here are some highlights from the 2010 Hokie Hi Week:

Thursday, August 19, Hypnotist Tom DeLuca performed in Burruss Auditorium to hypnotize volunteers and even people in the audience! He actually hypnotized me to do some pretty funny things during our Homecoming Spirit Week, but I won't bore you with those embarrassing details.

Friday, August 20, at night there was a huge movie on the Drillfield under the stars. This year it was Ironman 2 -- gotta love a free movie with thousands of your new closest friends!

Saturday, August 21, the New Cadet Parade was on the Drillfield in the morning, followed by a Barn Bash in McComas Gym at night for a welcome to Blacksburg's southern cooking , dancing, games, and prizes.

Sunday, August 22, was my favorite event -- the Hokie Hi Welcome Picnic in Lane Stadium! Over 8,000 students attended this event the day before classes start! You get to run through the tunnel the football team goes through that leads you into the football stadium, walk the length of the field, and eat in the South End Zone while meeting coaches and team members from men's and women's varsity and club sports, the dance team, and the Marching Virginians.

Not to mention, the first week of classes is free week for group exercise classes in McComas Hall and War Memorial Gym.

I hope you do chose to come to Virginia Tech and when you do, make sure you check out the festivities during Hokie Hi Week!

For more info, visit http://www.hokiehi.nsp.vt.edu/ and see how you can take advantage of all of the amazing events that happen before classes even start. And, think of all of the new facebook friends you'll make along the way!


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