Admissions Insights

College of Science Insights

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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College of Science

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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.

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

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College of Science

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College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences Insights: Lauren's story

By Lauren, a student in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences

Major: Biochemistry & Spanish

Video (below):

Molly, Hokie Ambassador

Molly is a senior majoring in co mmunication with a concentration in electronic and print media and minoring in theater arts and international studies. In this video, Molly discusses why she chose Virginia Tech.

Being a student in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences at Virginia Tech is nothing like the college experience I expected of a school of 30,000 students. I saw Virginia Tech's campus for the second time ever when I came to Orientation in July of 2007. I met my advisor and set up my class schedule the morning after I slept in East Ambler Johnston, which was my first time ever staying in a residence hall. I was overwhelmed by the entire Orientation process, as I was in an unfamiliar place and I knew nobody.

To be honest, the day and a half I spent on campus was kind of a blur; it all happened so fast. I only remember bits and pieces now; I could't tell you what my Orientation Leader's name was, what information sessions I attended, or what questions I had during the day. What I do remember is that the advisor who was assigned to me for a day and a half during Orientation turned out to be one of the biggest influences of my undergraduate career. I had no idea that there would be someone who was with me every step of the way, be it with class selection, questions about the future, or even just looking for an adult to talk to who wasn't Mom or Dad.

As a pre-med student, my advisor suggested that I look into a Latin minor because of its practicality with medicine. I agreed, which was possibly the best thing I could have done for myself. In agreeing take a few Latin classes, I connected with so many people whom I would not have had the chance to meet otherwise. I have had the opportunity of a lifetime, getting to be extremely close with a very small community of students and professors alike in CLAHS. I went in day one knowing I wanted to study Spanish, and I have now taken classes in Spanish, Russian, Latin, and Greek. I'll graduate as a Spanish and Biochemistry double major with Latin and Chemistry minors-- not what I had planned.

You might ask, "Why so many languages?" As I started thinking of what classes I wanted to take during my junior year, I came to the realization that I wanted to not only take a class to learn the material, but also I wanted to study under different professors. Because the Classics Department at Virginia Tech is so small, many of my classmates and I became very close from the very beginning. For example, when I heard friends talking about taking Ancient Greek with Dr. Becker, my aforementioned Orientation Advisor, I knew that I had to take a class with him before I graduated. So, with no previous knowledge whatsoever of Greek, I signed up for Dr. Becker's Ancient Greek 1105 class in fall of 2009. Greek 1105 has nothing to do with my major, and I honestly will probably do nothing with Greek for the rest of my life. However, the knowledge and experience that I gained during my time in the class completely surpassed my expectations. Greek 1105 was hands down the best class taught by the best professor that I have taken during my four years at Virginia Tech.

During my time in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, I have never once had a class larger than 25 students. I'm currently taking my fourth Latin class with the same professor, just because I know him and get along with him so well. While taking some larger courses in Biochemistry, it's a breath of fresh air to be in such an intimate class setting. I would imagine that not many people have the opportunity to interact regularly with professors outside of an academic setting; I see every Latin professor that I have had every Friday at our weekly, "Classics Table," during which time 20 or so students and I go to a restaurant downtown and talk about the week’s events, and occasionally throw in some conversation about classics. I've had multiple professors offer their homes to students for end of semester festivities and other celebrations. I truly could not ask to be part of a more close-knit community. For me, being a part of the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences has been an amazing and unforgettable experience.

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Molly, Hokie Ambassador
Molly is a senior majoring in communication with a concentration in electronic and print media and minoring in theater arts and international studies. In this video, Molly discusses why she Virginia Tech.

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Thursday, April 29, 2010

Hokie Spirit

The Hokie Spirit is epitomized by our motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve). Being a member of the Virginia Tech community is more than accepting the fact that the colors maroon and orange truly do match. It's about learning both inside and outside of the classroom. It's about community service and helping your fellow man. To borrow from the spiritual and political leader, Gandhi, it's about expanding your horizons so that you can be the change you want to see in the world.

This means respecting your fellow Hokies – those who have also become Hokies by opting to learn, teach, or work at Virginia Tech. The university’s goal is to create a community filled with the Hokie Spirit. A community that nurtures learning and growing for all of its members. In orde r to do this, the university has adopted a few principles that we call the Virginia Tech Principles of Community.

As a new Hokie, we hope you too will adopt these principles and
embrace the responsibility that comes with calling yourself a Hokie.

Principles of Community
• We affirm the inherent dignity and value of every person and strive to maintain a climate for work and learning based on mutual respect and understanding.
• We affirm the right of each person to express thoughts and opinions freely.
We encourage open expression within a climate of civility, sensitivity, and mutual respect.
• We affirm the value of human diversity because it enriches our lives and the University. We acknowledge and respect our differences while affirming our common humanity.
• We reject all forms of prejudice and discrimination, including those based on age, color, disability, gender, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, and veteran status. We take individual and collective responsibility for helping to eliminate bias and discrimination and for increasing our own understanding of these issues through education, training, and interaction with others.
We pledge our collective commitment to these principles in the spirit of the Virginia Tech motto of Ut Prosim (That I May Serve).

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Invent Your Future

Monday, April 26, 2010

Attention New Hokies: Key contacts and upcoming dates and deadlines

Congratulations are in order if you have been accepted to Virginia Tech as a member of the class of 2014! Below are some key dates and deadlines you should keep in mind.

If you haven't already, you need to accept the offer of admission by paying your matriculation deposit. Deadline: May 1.
Once you have accepted the offer of admission and paid your matriculation deposit, you need to create your VT PID. Please keep in mind that if you pay your matriculation deposit online, please wait at least 1 business day for us to process your payment. You will not be able to create your PID until your payment has been processed. (As soon as you accept the offer of admission)
Look for your housing and dining contract (Complete in May)
Get ready for July Orientation. (Sign up in May)
Look for your computer specifications (Available in May)
Submit your Immunization History Form (Complete in June)
Submit your final high school and college transcripts (Deadline: June)
Consider attending Hokie Camp! (Sign up anytime)
Get ready for move-in (August).

We are looking forward to welcoming you to campus!

Here are some key contacts you might find useful in the coming weeks and months:

Undergraduate Admissions (?s about your offer of admission)

admiss@vt.edu

540/231-6267

Bursar (?s about money stuff):

bursar@vt.edu

Financial Aid & Scholarships (self explanatory!)

finaid@vt.edu

Health Center (?s about immunizations and health history form)

540/231-8104

Housing & Dining (self explanatory!)

housing@vt.edu

Orientation

tracks@vt.edu

4Help (?s about computer stuff)

540/231-4357

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Invent Your Future

Monday, April 12, 2010

Attention New Hokies!

If you were accepted to Virginia Tech as a member of the class of 2014 and you are still trying to make up your mind about whether the university is right for you, consider attending Hokie Focus this weekend.

Hokie Focus is a free, one-day event where you can take part in student-led tours, talk with representatives from the various colleges and see our beautiful campus. You pick which day - either Saturday (April 17) or Sunday (April 18).

If you already know that Virginia Tech is the place for you, no need to make an extra trip to campus this weekend. If that's the case, we'll see you in July for Orientation!

To view the Hokie Focus schedule, visit our website. If you do plan on attending Hokie Focus, you will need to register for the free event in advance.

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Invent Your Future

Friday, March 26, 2010

Student's story: Carly's reflection on being accepted to Virginia Tech

By Carly, a senior in the College of Science

Major: Math

This coming May, fitted with a gown and cap (probably reading on the top “Thank you Mom and Dad” and “Go Hokies!”), I will be ready to walk with my fellow Class-of-2010-Hokies. At the end of that walk I will be handed my diploma. In my hands will be a symbol of four years of hard work in mathematics, a representation of my never-ending dedication to this university, and an illustration of my love for orange and maroon. I will become a Virginia Tech alumna, a Hokie for life.

My four years of being a student at Virginia Tech have come and gone in the blink of an eye. I can still remember my freshmen orientation back in July 2006, my first day of class mid-August that year, and my very first Hokie football game in September of ’06 - an experience I came to treasure and look forward to every single fall semester.

Even though those years have come and gone quicker than I could imagine, it was four years ago that I found out I was going to become a Hokie. And of course, as luck would have it, Virginia Tech was the last school I heard back from and the one I wanted to be a student at the most. For nearly a month, on a daily basis, I would log into my Hokie Spa account to look at how my application was processing and whether or not a decision had been made. All it ever said was “pending.” Pending…pending…until finally, in the last week of March 2006, it changed from “pending” to “accepted.” At the sight of that word, I did not even know how to react. I was just so excited that I was going to become a part of Virginia Tech’s Class of 2010.

A couple of weeks after finding out via Hokie Spa that I was accepted, I received my formal letter in the mail and the document asking whether or not I wanted to become a part of the student body at Virginia Tech. Within minutes, I signed the form – my mom documenting the occasion with a picture that was to begin the accumulation of photos of my experience as a Hokie. I mailed my acceptance out the same day. I knew I had a month to “decide,” but my choice to say “yes,” if accepted, was settled back in January of 2006 when I submitted my application.

Four years ago I chose to become a Hokie and the experience I have had over those years is one I have loved and will never forget. There are hundreds of photos I will always have as keepsakes showing amazing times at football games, weekend get-togethers with friends, hikes to the Cascades and other spots in the Appalachian Mountains during warmer weather, and other great memories of my time at Virginia Tech. Even though I will be graduating in a couple of months, I will be back to visit this beautiful university multiple times. This place was my home-away-from-home and my love for this university began when I saw the word “accepted.”

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College of Science

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