Thursday, November 17, 2011

VT offers many study abroad opportunities

By Lauren, Admissions Advisor, class of 2011

No matter where I am on the eastern coast - New Jersey, New York, or even Richmond, Va., - there is one question I hear at almost every college fair:

"Does Virginia Tech offer education abroad?"

The answer is an enthusiastic YES!

If fact, education abroad at Virginia Tech has its home in the "Outreach and International Affairs Offices" building on Prices Fork Road., right across the street from campus.

With about 80 different countries to visit, and programs ranging from one week to one year, there is a program out there for everyone.

If you are studying biology, why not consider spending some time in Valdivia, Chile, to study coastal environments? Or if you are a geography major, why not check out the land and scenery in Galway, Ireland?

Maybe even take a trip to Alexandria or Cairo, Egypt, to enhance your knowledge on architecture.

There are even programs all over the world for engineering students, such as one in the Dominican Republic!

The list goes on and on.

Most students do their study abroad junior year, but it is never too early to get started with the process. Just contact the education abroad office to schedule an appointment, at least a year before you plan on studying abroad so you can have plenty of time to prepare for your exciting and educational adventure!

When it comes to costs, make sure you know what type of program will best suit your economic needs.

For most in-state students, Bilateral Exchange is the most cost effective path, since you are paying the Virginia Tech tuition wherever you go. However, out-of-state students might want to consider VT Direct, in which students directly enroll into the host universities.

No matter which path you choose, don't forget to check out scholarships and financial aid available for your particular program.

Happy travels.

Or should I say…

Bon voyage!
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Monday, October 24, 2011

New digs, new wheels: gearing up for a great fall!

The Office of Undergraduate Admissions moved to new building in the summer; a few weeks ago, we got a new bus to transport visitors to and from campus; and we have a great admissions team who has been out on the road recruiting new Hokies.

If you haven't already, come check out our new digs! Our Fall Open House is a one-day program scheduled November 12 and 13. We hope you will choose
to join us by registering online today! If Open House doesn't suit your schedule, our office is open
weekdays and many Saturdays for tours and information sessions.

It's been a great fall and we are looking forward to receiving your applications! Don't forget the important dates and deadlines.

We wish you all the best in your college search!




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Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Student's Story: Dabney discusses undergraduate research opportunities at VT

By Dabney, a junior majoring in Psychology

Video (below):
Michael, Hokie Ambassador
Michael is a fourth year student majoring in civil engineering. In this video, Michael discusses undergraduate research.

Virginia Tech, being a innovative research university, offers many research opportunities for undergraduate students. This is an excellent aspect of the many things Virginia Tech offers. Not only does undergraduate research expose you to hands-on experience of textbook concepts, but you also gain valuable resume builders for graduate school. As a psychology major, the Center for Applied Behavior Systems (or CABS, for short) was the perfect opportunity for me to become involved in undergraduate research. CABS is incredibly unique in that it gives both graduate and undergraduate students the opportunity to research under current projects and be able to create a research project yourself.

Currently, CABS has several projects running but one of particular importance for me deals with a movement on campus called "Actively Caring." The movement is an attempt to create a more compassionate culture throughout our community by encouraging people to actively care with a green wristband. Essentially, the idea is to see an act of kindness, thank the person for actively caring and pass the wristband to them. It's analogous to the idea of "paying it forward." Through the "Actively Caring" website and research conducted on campus, CABS works towards creating a more empathetic and positive world. This and other CABS projects on things such as pedestrian safety, bullying, and gossip can help create prosocial behavior and change our world dynamic. The whole reason for research is to find new ways to make the world a better place. It's amazing that Virginia Tech undergraduate research actually gives students that opportunity. Being a part of the Actively Caring movement with CABS at Virginia Tech is one of the many ways students may become engaged in the awesome undergraduate research offered.

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Michael, Hokie Ambassador
Michael is a fourth year student majoring in Civil Engineering. In this video, Michael discusses undergraduate research.


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Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Traditions at Virginia Tech

By Leigh Ann, a senior in the College of Liberal Arts & Human Sciences
Major: English

Video (below): Joe, Hokie Ambassador, talks about Hokie Spirit.
Joe is a Hospitality & Tourism Management major in Pamplin College of Business.

With everything from jumping when Enter Sandman plays before kick-off at each football game to hearing the bells tolling from Burruss Hall every afternoon, Virginia Tech is steeped in tradition. Hokies are very proud of our long, prestigious history and we take pride is preserving the history for those who walked across our campus decades before and for those who are Hokies-to-be. There are seemingly endless traditions, some that happen every day and some that happen only once a year, but they are all an equally important part of the culture at Virginia Tech.

Take just one step on campus and the beautiful setting of landscaping and architecture gives an aura of history and tradition in the sense that all the buildings are made of Hokie Stone. The cohesion in design and the use of the unique stone make our campus truly unique and gorgeous. Although there several older buildings hidden throughout campus that are not made out of Hokie Stone, today the limestone bricks dominate the design and are used in all recent and future construction.

Students today can expect many traditions revolving around our football games. We have been recognized for our football entrance by many sportswriters. As the Virginia Tech football team prepares to run out from the tunnel before each game, Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” blasts over the speakers and all 66,000 fans start jumping. Hokies standing in the bleachers of the North End Zone Stands need to hold on tight; they really shake. When the Hokies score there is a string of traditions that follow, and fans need to know the routine. First, the skipper of the Corps of Cadets sets off the canon. Then Hokie fans throughout the stands are lifted above the fans around them, one rep for each point the Hokies have scored. Small-framed Hokie fans need to be prepared to get tossed into the air if they find themselves between some large, male fans! Lastly, between the third and fourth quarter of every game, the Hokie cheerleaders and High-Techs lead the stadium in the Hokie Pokey.

Football is certainly not the only aspect of our campus that is rooted in tradition. Class rings are an important part of preparing for graduation from Virginia Tech. In the spring of each year, the junior class participates in a weekend-long celebration when they receive their class rings. Each year a ring is carefully and beautifully designed. The students of the current junior class attend a formal dance and are presented their class rings at the end of March each year. The event is a symbol of both the students’ progress and success so far and a celebration of their forthcoming senior year.

Traditions will continue to be added in the future as the community continues to grow, but there are certainly already traditions that are very important to Hokies. There is so much to be proud about this university and participating in such traditions pays tribute the history of the school.

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Joe, Hokie Ambassador, talks about the Hokie Spirit.
Joe is a Hospitality & Tourism Management major in Pamplin College of Business.



Related Posts:


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Monday, February 21, 2011

Sara's story: themed housing at Virginia Tech

By Sara, a student in the College of Science
Major: Biology

Video (below): Michelle, Admission Advisor Michelle shares her experience with The WING, themed housing for incoming freshmen.


When I got accepted to Virginia Tech, I immediately began planning activities for my freshman year, as I was now officially a Hokie. I grabbed my computer and started to explore the Virginia Tech website, researching everything from intramural sports to where the best sandwich is made on campus. I stumbled across housing and residence life and noticed a tab called “themed housing.” I had never heard anything about “themed housing” from any of the ten colleges I applied to earlier that year so I decided to check it out. Hours later, I submitted my application to become a member of the Residential Leadership Community (RLC) and the rest is history.

My first class of freshman year was my leadership class in which my professor asked us, “What is a good leader?” We debated over the many answers to this seemingly simple question for the rest of the year. Not only did the RLC expand my problem solving skills and force me to debate with my peers, it brought the learning experience outside of the classroom. Virginia Tech Relay for Life, The Big Event, The International Street Fair, and Gobblerfest were only a few of the events on campus where the RLC as a whole was an active participant. Volunteering on Saturday mornings with the YMCA of Blacksburg with 200 other RLC members was one of the most rewarding experiences of my freshman year. This community provides the university and its students with endless possibilities. I am very fortunate to have been a member of the RLC and was given the opportunity to give back to the citizens of Blacksburg, Va.

Whether you join the RLC or one of the dozen other themed housing options, it will be a great way to expand your horizons while a student at VT. From the first day of my college career, students that shared similar values and interests about leadership surrounded me. Through the RLC, I was able to become involved in other organizations on campus and make the most of my four-year experience as a Hokie. The RLC provided me with the tools I needed to become a successful leader at Virginia Tech.

---
Michelle, Admission Advisor
Michelle shares her experience with The WING, themed housing for incoming freshmen.




More info:

College of Science
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Thursday, January 27, 2011

In need of loot? Scholarships and financial aid info


Now that you have completed and submitted your application, are you wondering how to you are going to get the loot to pay for college?

If so, then the best thing to do - no matter if you think you will qualify for financial aid - is to complete the FAFSA. It's available now and you can use estimates to complete it. I know it seems like a chore, but it should be worth it in the end.

At Virginia Tech many of our scholarships start with two things: a completed FAFSA and the General Scholarship Application. The priority deadline for both at Virginia Tech is March 1.

Visit the Scholarships and Financial Aid website to read all about the different types of aid at Virginia Tech. There's a handy financial aid estimator to help you estimate your eligibility on their site as well. Also, you can set up a free account to view the Scholarships Gateway at Virginia Tech to see what specific scholarships you would like to throw your name in the hat for.

For those of you who wish to join the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, there are a few scholarship opportunities for you and only you! Keep in mind that just because you join the VTCC it doesn't mean that you have to make a commitment to the military. You can enroll in ROTC, but you don't have to in order to join the VTCC. Learn more

Best wishes to all of you who did apply to Virginia Tech (freshman application deadline was Jan 15). I know waiting for your admission decision is a pain, but at least you can pass the time with things like filling out the FAFSA, right?!

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Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Time to review your application

By Amanda Sparks
Assistant Director
Undergraduate Admissions

The weather might be cooling down, but things in the undergraduate admissions office are heating up! We're sure that things are pretty busy for you as well, but make sure you are keeping up with your application to Virginia Tech.

Even though you should have submitted you application by now if you were planning to apply to Virginia Tech, there are still a few things you could be doing.

To track your application, visit the application status page. If you submitted your application within the last few days, please keep in mind that you had lots of company. As a result, it might take up to two weeks for you to be able to see your application status online. Please try to be patient and know that we are processing your application as fast as possible. Keep checking the application status page.

Don't hesitate to contact our office with any questions you may have. This can be a stressful time of year for you, but it doesn't have to be complicated!


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