Welcome – or welcome back – to Grounds! The University of Virginia is home to many amazing academic and extracurricular opportunities, and it can be overwhelming figuring out where to start. Have no fear: the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy Admissions Team has tips and strategies to kick off your fall semester with confidence, especially if you’re eyeing a future at UVA Batten.
Classes
With the entire UVA course catalog open to you, there is an endless combination of classes to choose from. We encourage students to explore disciplines broadly in their first two years. Curious about how societies function? Try a sociology course! Want to learn how to code? Try your hand at a computer science course! You never know what will click for you until you try it, so use UVA’s strong foundation in the liberal arts to push boundaries and explore new fields through your general education requirements.
Get to know your teaching assistants and professors in your first semester; not only are they great resources as you explore different programs and opportunities, but they will also be excellent academic mentors throughout your collegiate career. Other resources to consult include your Academic Advising Dean and the College Advising Fellows – don’t hesitate to ask for recommendations.
While you are exploring your academic interests, be sure to knock out the prerequisite courses for any majors or minors that speak to you. Batten has only a small handful of requirements, and most are common prerequisites for other programs and/or fulfill general education requirements. Students interested in our Accelerated MPP must take microeconomics (ECON 2010) and a calculus-based math, while students interested in our undergraduate programs must take microeconomics (ECON 2010), social psychology (PSYC 2600 or LPPL 2600), and LPPP 2200: Introduction to Public Policy (for the BA program only). Finally, if you are considering the Social Entrepreneurship minor, be sure to enroll in ENTP 1010: Start-ups.
If you are undecided on a major, consider trying out a Batten class to see if it could be a good fit. One great option is LPPL 2100: The Resilient Student: Transition, Thriving, and Leadership, an excellent course to help you transition to college and build lifelong skills for weathering setbacks.
Extracurriculars
While academics are a critical piece of your college experience, take time to explore opportunities outside the classroom, too. UVA’s Student Engagement team maintains a list of student organizations and leadership opportunities to help you find community at UVA and in Charlottesville. If you are interested in community service, check out resources from UVA Public Service, including the Public Service Pathways program and organizations like Madison House or the Maxine Platzer Lynn Women’s Center.
College is the time to try new things or get more involved in what you are already passionate about. Whether you join club soccer, a debate team or lead the social committee of the aerial dance club, find opportunities to challenge yourself mentally, physically and socially.
Although leadership is an important component of our application, there is no expectation that you will immediately take on leadership roles on Grounds. Take your time to grow the breadth and depth of your involvement through volunteering, student organizations, internships, research, jobs, and more!
Academic and professional support
There are ample academic resources at UVA to help you thrive and grow as a student. Consider consulting the Writing Center to help structure and revise your writing assignments. The libraries on Grounds provide additional services, including data management and resource navigation.
As you make connections between what you are studying and potential internships or employment, consider utilizing the UVA Career Center. Whether it’s figuring out what you really want to do, choosing your major, gaining work experience or prepping for that first interview, the Career Center can help through appointments and information, including Public Service and Government resources for students interested in Batten.
More about UVA Batten
A frequent question we receive is “What makes Batten special?” The Batten School is one of 12 schools at UVA and just one way to study public policy (other options in the College of Arts & Sciences include political philosophy, policy & law, political & social thought, and majors in the Department of Politics). Batten programs have an interdisciplinary focus that integrates multiple lenses and perspectives – from the economic and political to the psychological and cultural – to equip you with practical skills to lead the world towards positive, lasting change. If you are interested in becoming an ethical and enlightened leader prepared to make a difference in your community, your profession and the world at large, we encourage you to explore our signature events and resources.
Batten Admissions hosts regular information sessions, in-person and virtual appointments and walk-in, open office hours with Batten Ambassadors every Friday from 2:00-4:00 p.m. in Garrett Hall, room 203, during the regular academic year. Subscribe to our newsletter, keep an eye on our events for ways to engage with the school and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have additional questions.
