By Madigan Ward (M.S. in Commerce ’27)
You don’t expect your life to change while you’re standing in line waiting for an iced coffee.
I was wearing an old UofSC sweatshirt and minding my own business in my local hometown coffee shop when a man next to me struck up a conversation. “Do you go to South Carolina?” he asked. I explained that I actually attend the University of Kentucky, but I was graduating a year early and searching for my next step. He immediately lit up. His daughter was in the exact same boat, and he told me she was pursuing an M.S. in Commerce degree at UVA and insisted I look into the program.
That chance encounter completely changed my post-grad plans (and life), and a year and a half later, I was moving to Charlottesville.
Finding My Footing on Grounds
Arriving at UVA as a Commerce graduate student who completed my undergrad in Integrated Strategic Communication at the University of Kentucky—and who is technically still at a “fourth-year” age—put me in a unique position. I had to figure out how to balance graduate-level academics with an undergraduate-esque social life, all while navigating a brand new university, city, and social pool. I won’t sugarcoat it: There was definitely an academic learning curve and adjustment period. The pace of the program is fast, and the expectations are high.
But my experience so far has been nothing short of incredible.
The most rewarding part of the program has been the immediate shift in how I view the world. Thanks to the professors and the practical nature of the curriculum, I find myself making connections between our coursework and real life every single day. You start looking at businesses, marketing campaigns, and management structures and seeing the underlying mechanics that others cannot. You aren’t just memorizing concepts; you are learning how to actively analyze business strategies.
The Culture Inside the Classroom
Beyond the academics, the culture of the MSC program is truly special. The best way I can describe the first week or two of the program is that it feels exactly like first year all over again: Everyone is in the same boat and incredibly eager to make friends.
During the first semester’s Integrated Core Experience, the cohort is split into two sections, which naturally creates subcultures. I’m in Section 1, and I’ve noticed our section is incredibly open and outgoing. There is such a genuinely friendly and uplifting culture here where everyone is rooting for you. We always celebrate each other’s wins, making sure every presentation ends with a room full of applause and fist bumps.
But within your section, there is an even tighter-knit dynamic within your specific five-person team. My teammates come from completely different undergraduate universities, work experiences, and educational backgrounds. It creates an environment where every project is approached from diverse perspectives, and you learn just as much from your peers as you do from the lectures. Since the cohort structure fosters a collaborative environment, and I’ve already met the most amazing people and made great friends. When I’m not studying, you can usually find me at a football game, exploring downtown Charlottesville, or heading outdoors with my roommates for a hike or a trip to Carter Mountain.
What I Wish I Knew Before Day One
If you are a prospective student looking at the MSC program, you’re probably wondering how to make the most of your time here. Based on my experience so far, here is my best advice:
- Go to the pre-experience events. I seriously can’t stress this enough. I was so nervous walking into the first day of orientation, but right in the entryway to Shumway, I ran into someone I’d met at McIntire Inspire. We quickly caught up and walked in together, which instantly eased the first-day scaries. Whether it’s an event like McIntire Ascend or just a lunch info session, go. You’ll meet people likely to be in your cohort and already have a head start on building connections once you actually step onto Grounds in the fall.
- Get involved on Grounds. It’s easy to get tunnel vision with the rigor and demand of the coursework. Getting involved in extracurriculars has been a highlight of my time here. Serving as an MSC Ambassador and sitting on the McIntire Student Engagement and Community Committee (SECC) have helped me feel connected to the School, meet some of the undergrads, and give back to the community.
- Buy in. Trust the process. The curriculum is designed the way it is for a reason. Lean into the group work, participate in the discussions, and embrace the challenges. The more energy you put into the MSC, the more value you’ll get out of it.
- Invest in a social life. Yes, this is a rigorous master’s program, and you need to take your studies seriously. But the people sitting next to you in the classroom are going to be your network, future colleagues, and lifelong friends. Make time to hang out on the Corner (my favorite spot is Corner Juice), grab a study room between classes, and say “yes” to weekend plans. Class becomes a lot more fun when you’re among friends.
I can’t say enough great things about my time so far in the M.S. in Commerce program. In just 10 weeks, I’ve been pushed to grow academically, professionally, and personally in ways I never have before. It all started with a random conversation in a coffee shop, but choosing to come to McIntire has proven to be the best decision I could have made for my academic and professional career.
