Charlottesville and UVA have so much to offer you

Welcome to Charlottesville!

A beautiful, diverse, and vibrant community nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Charlottesville offers breathtaking hikes, a thriving music scene, incredible food, and rich history. We promise—you’re going to love it here!

Fun Facts

UVA’s campus is referred to as Grounds
Students are First-Years, Second-Years, etc. (education never truly ends!)
Echols Scholars are all part of the College of Arts & Sciences
The Honor System is entirely student-run
Trick-or-Treating and Lighting of the Lawn are beloved traditions
Hiking Humpback Rock is a rite of passage for UVA students

Traditions

UVA students cherish traditions, passing them down from class to class. From unique terminology (like “Grounds” instead of “campus”) to student self-governance, our culture is deeply rooted in history and trust. The Honor System, run entirely by students, is a defining aspect of UVA life.

Another major tradition? Living on the Lawn. Many Lawn residents are Echols Scholars, selected for their impact on the UVA and Charlottesville community. The Lawn also hosts major events like Trick-or-Treating for local children and the Lighting of the Lawn, which brings the community together during the winter season.

Athletics

UVA students love sports! As an NCAA Division I school in the ACC, our teams excel on the national stage. Recent championships include:

Women’s Swimming & Diving (Current National Champions)
Men’s Lacrosse (Current National Champions)
Men’s Basketball (2019 National Champions)

With 28 NCAA National Championships and 138 ACC titles, there’s plenty to cheer for. Regular season home games are free for students, with men’s basketball tickets distributed through a lottery system—attending other games increases your chances of winning! If you want to play, there are plenty of club and intramural sports, including non-NCAA options like ultimate frisbee and quidditch.