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First Year Advice

This edition of the A-School Student Guide is specifically designed to address the needs of first-year students as they embark on their college journey. By actively engaging with the students, the guide offers a comprehensive range of information and guidance, enabling them to navigate through the various complex aspects of college life, particularly in the School of Architecture.

1

FIRST YEAR CURRICULUM

Course selection during the first couple of semesters at UVA is daunting, and it can be challenging to determine what classes to take through the A School. Get familiar with the A School classes before enrollment!

2

EXPLORING
CAMPBELL HALL

As a new student, navigating Campbell Hall can be intimidating. However, this cheat sheet can help you become more comfortable by providing information about the various spaces within the A-school. 

3

SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE LINGO

Wondering what a "first-year" is? And what is "the corner"? This overview can help clarify some potentially confusing UVA and A-School terms you may hear around "grounds"!

4

TRANSPORTATION

As a First-Year, transportation may seem like a big limiting factor in getting around On and Off-Grounds. While many students opt to walk everywhere, there are other free or inexpensive options to quickly get to where you need to go. 

5

POPULAR PURSUED MINORS

Many students in the A School decide to broaden their academic scope and minor in topics both related and unrelated to architecture. If that’s you, but you aren’t sure quite what to minor in, see below!

6

7 THINGS TO DO YOUR FIRST SEMESTER AT THE A-SCHOOL

The first weeks of college can be very overwhelming, especially considering the size of UVA. Check out this short itinerary of things to do during the first weeks of the fall semester to get more comfortable with Campbell Hall!

7

POSSIBLE PATHS 

The A-School presents degree pathways across four departments: architecture, urban and environmental planning, architectural history, and graduate-level landscape architecture. Discover details about each field of study and the potential opportunities following graduation.

8

SUMMER WORK OPTIONS

To gain experience in the field, A-School students have several summer work options to explore. Internships, research assistance, design-build programs, summer courses, and other opportunities are commonly pursued by students!

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