uva engineering school visit

The University of Virginia

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There are many ways to experience the University of Virginia. Prospective students can attend an information session . Alumni can take advantage of career services and participate in a range of events , including reunions. History enthusiasts can take historical tours offered at Monticello . Parents, prospective faculty and families can do all the above, plus enjoy walking tours and attend a variety of cultural events happening across Grounds and within the greater Charlottesville community.

Location, Maps and Accommodations

This is Charlottesville

The University of Virginia is located in Charlottesville, Virginia , approximately 120 miles southwest of Washington, DC. Please review our maps and our parking instructions before making your trip. Charlottesville has many lodging options, including The Forum Hotel , the Colonnade Club and the Boar’s Head Resort . Visit the Charlottesville Visitor’s Bureau for a full list of available accommodations.

Additional Information

With its blend of historic buildings and new, innovative research and learning spaces, the UVA School of Engineering and Applied Science is beautiful and inspiring. We welcome visitors to walk Engineers Way, take a tour or visit faculty and classes. And while you're here, enjoy the full University and Charlottesville experience.

Take an In-Person Tour

During the academic year, engineering tours are offered Monday - Saturday (**with exceptions). Tours for the Fall 2024 semester will begin on Tuesday, August 27, 2024.

• Tours are once a day at 1:00 p.m .
• All tours last about 50 minutes. 
• No reservation is required. 
• Visitors wishing to take a tour should meet at the entrance of Thornton Hall's A-Wing .  

**Please note: Tours are NOT available for home football game days and when classes are not in session .

For questions, contact the Engineering Guides at [email protected] Official University tours are conducted by the University Guide Service.

Driving Directions

From I-64: Following signs to the UVA Information Center, get off at exit 118B for the Route 29/250 Bypass. Go approximately 2 miles and take the off ramp for Route 250 East Business (Ivy Road). Turn right off the exit ramp and follow Ivy Road. At the fourth traffic light, turn right on Route 29 Business/Emmet Street. Continue 1/2 block just past the blinking light. Turn left into the University of Virginia Central Grounds Parking Garage at 400 Emmet Street South (hourly fees), which is directly in front of Newcomb Hall.

From I-66 via U.S. Route 29 North: Take I-66 from Northern Virginia past Manassas. Take the exit marked “Route 29 South - Gainesville.” Proceed to Charlottesville, where Route 29 becomes Emmet Street. Pass University Hall basketball arena on the right. Proceed straight through the traffic light at the intersection of Route 250 Business (University Avenue/Ivy Road). Continue 1/2 block just past the blinking light. Turn left into the University of Virginia Central Grounds Parking Garage at 400 Emmet Street South (hourly fees), which is directly in front of Newcomb Hall.

Getting to the Engineering Complex: From the University of Virginia's Central Grounds Parking Garage at 400 Emmet Street South (hourly fees), take the elevator up to the bookstore level. Walk on Newcomb Road toward McCormick Road and make a right on McCormick. Walk across the overpass/bridge. Thornton Hall is the first building on the left. Engineers Way is to the right of Thornton Hall and leads to the rest of the Engineering School complex — with the exception of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, which is housed near the Medical School.

The nearest public parking to the Engineering School is available for an hourly fee in the University of Virginia Central Grounds Parking Garage at 400 Emmet Street South .

To see other UVA visitor parking, click here.

Navigating the Engineering School - Map

UVA Engineering strives for a welcoming and accessible experience for visitors. See our map for details of buildings and amenities, such as restrooms and elevators.

Contact an Engineering Department

Faculty, staff and students are eager to share information about their departments. Contact your department(s) of interest to learn more.

While You're Here, See Lovely Charlottesville

There's good reason why the U.S. Bureau of Economic Research ranked Charlottesville the happiest city in American, and why Travelers Today ranked it the top college town. Charlottesville has it all : history, culture, nature, educational opportunity and proximity to the nation's capital.

Places to Stay in Charlottesville

There are many lodging options available throughout scenic Charlottesville and Albemarle County.

Related Links

Middle School Visitation

Join swe @ uva for our fall 2024 msv event, ___ 10/22/24.

MSV Application

Acceptance Letters Sent By

___ 11/17/24

___ 10/1/24.

MSV 2024 Flyer

Middle School Visitation, MSV, is a day long event targeted at middle school students interested in STEM and engineering. The day is run by UVA’s Undergraduate Society of Women Engineers and consists of activities such as introductory coding activities, lab tours, and design challenges. The program is aimed to empower more women to pursue engineering by offering all students a look at the program through the female lens.

This event is geared towards all middle school students in 6th-8th grade. SWE is a female-run organization and creates a women-oriented space for all women in engineering, and we welcome everyone who wants to be in this space to apply. Applicants should be interested in STEM and willing to bring a positive attitude towards the day.

• Is the event open to all students...or just girls? Although USTEP is hosted by the Society of Women Engineers, this event is open to all students regardless of their gender identity.
• Are parents/supervisors required to stay throughout the entirety of the event? Parents may drop-off their student at the beginning of the event. Classrooms will have several student volunteers assisting with lessons, so SWE will take care of everything!
• How do I become a member? At this time, there is no formal process to become a member of the SWE chapter at the University of Virginia. Subscribing to the SWEekly newsletter and listerv will connect you to all of the outreach and professional development opportunities available to SWE members.
• How much does it cost to become a SWE member? The SWE chapter at the University of Virginia does not collect dues from its members. ...
• How long is the event? This event runs from 9:30am - 3pm.
• Can parents attend? Do I have to stay with my child during the event? We are unable to accommodate parents during the actual event due to limited room capacities. Parents/Guardians drop off their student for the afternoon and pick them up at the end of the event. Prior to pickup, we will facilitate a brief, student-led panel where parents can ask questions about UVA's engineering program.
• Does my child need to bring anything to the event? All materials will be provided. We will provide lunch and snacks. If you are concerned about dietary restrictions, please reach out to the event coordinators [email protected] and [email protected].
• Who can apply? The Society of Women Engineers is dedicated to creating a safe, women-oriented space for everyone in engineering. We welcome anybody in grades 6 through 8 that wants to be in this space (i.e., female-identifying, genderqueer, and male-identifying individuals) to apply and attend our events. For students interested in events less geared towards a specific gender identification, please refer to our USTEP program.
• Who runs this event? MSV is planned, organized, and run by the Society of Women Engineers at UVA, an independent club at the University consisting of current UVA Engineering students. Additionally, we have many UVA Engineering faculty and staff that help support our event and provide insight via talks, lab tours, and the majors fair.
• How much does MSV cost? Thanks to our university and corporate sponsorships, MSV is free of cost for all our participants. This includes lunch and snacks that are provided throughout the day.
• Where is the event held? This program is held at the University of Virginia in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences in Charlottesville, VA. The initial meeting place will be in Davis Commons in Rice Hall. Specific details and parking information will be sent out to participants approximately one week before the event.
• When will information about this event be available? More information about this event will become available very soon! This is the first in-person SEED event SWE @ UVA has hosted in several years. The executive team is still working out the details to ensure that this Spring's event will be as safe (and fun) as possible.
• Who can apply? The Society of Women Engineers is dedicated to creating a safe, women-oriented space for everyone in engineering. We welcome anybody in grades 9 through 12 that wants to be in this space (i.e., female-identifying, genderqueer, and male-identifying individuals) to apply and attend our events. For students interested in events less geared towards a specific gender identity, the UVA Engineering Spring Open House and the Center for Diversity in Engineering's Summer Bridge Program are open to all.
• How old must I be to apply to HSV? HSV is specifically for high school aged students and is targeted at 11th and 12th graders as they work through the college selection process; however, 9th and 10th graders are welcome to apply. For middle school aged students, SWE @ UVA hosts Middle School Visitation and USTEP in the Fall and Spring, respectively.
• Can parents attend the event? Parents are welcome and encouraged to stay for the first half of the event from roughly 9 am to 12 noon. During this time, we will have our Welcome Address and an Admissions Tour from the University Guide Service. Afterward, parents must depart. If you are looking for things to do around Charlottesville for the rest of the day, we recommend referring to https://www.visitcharlottesville.org/.
• What transportation options are available to get to the event? Participants and their guardians are responsible for getting themselves to and from the event. HSV is held on "Grounds" at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. More details and directions will be provided in our acceptance packet. UVA Grounds is most accessible by car, and there are several free parking options nearby. Additionally, there is an Amtrak station 7 minutes away (by car) from the campus.
• How long is the event? HSV is a day-long event running from roughly 9am to 8pm. Participants are able to leave early if they have scheduling conflicts, but this must be communicated to [email protected] prior to the day of the event.
• Who runs this event? HSV is planned, organized, and run by the Society of Women Engineers at UVA, an independent club at the University consisting of current UVA Engineering students. Additionally, we have many UVA Engineering faculty and staff that help support our event and provide insight via talks, lab tours, and the majors fair.
• How much does HSV cost? Thanks to our university and corporate sponsorships, HSV is free of cost for all our participants. This includes three meals and snacks that are provided throughout the day.

More Questions?

For additional information about Middle School Visitation, please email:  [email protected] .