The University was named one of the 25 "New Ivies" in Newsweek's 2007 edition of the Kaplan College Guide, which profiled 25 of the top schools in the nation.
The guide attempts to show that universities do not need ivy on their walls to give their students a top-notch education, according to Brandon Jones, one of the contributing editors of the article. Jones said Kaplan used a variety of qualitative and quantitative data to determine which schools would make the list.
"In the case of U.Va., you've not only got an excellent school academically, but you've also got a place where students like to be," Jones said.
When associates from Kaplan visited the University, they spoke with administrators, faculty and students and were impressed by the University's academic rigor along with the many other advantages the University has to offer, such as student programs, diversity and quality of student life, Jones said.
Dean of Admissions Jack Blackburn said he was not surprised to learn that the University had been named one of the "new Ivies."
Blackburn credited the selective admissions process for placing the University among the top schools in the nation.
Blackburn added that the University boasts many impressive statistics, citing the fact that the University has the highest graduation rate of African-American students among all public universities in the country and the largest number of Rhodes Scholars of all state universities. Also, 88 percent of first-year students ranked in the top 10 percent of their high school class.
"The point that [Kaplan] was making was that the Ivies aren't for everybody ... there are some incredibly wonderful schools that aren't Harvard, one of which is U.Va.," said Yvonne Hubbard, director of Student Financial Services. "I think that the caliber of institution that we are is remarkable given ... what we charge [in tuition]."
Although the list consists of both public and private institutions, Jones said the research done was based mostly on qualitative data and looked at the same factors at each school.
Blackburn said many parents that receive in-state privileges regard the University's tuition as the best bargain in the nation, and many parents outside of the state see it as a bonus.
Out-of-state tuition is usually eight to ten thousand dollars less than the cost of a comparable private university, so this enhances the University by putting it within the financial reach of more families, he said.
There is no question that the University offers one of the best educational experiences in the country and a better experience than some of the Ivies, Blackburn added.
"This type of press helps [the University], for it causes some students to investigate U.Va. who might not have considered it otherwise," Blackburn said. "Once they start digging, many will find the treasure that we enjoy."
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