Virginia Tech is the most popular college choice of Virginia high school seniors, according to a survey by MyCollegeOptions.org.

The survey found that 29 percent of seniors in Virginia named Virginia Tech University a top college choice, compared with 19 percent who named the University of Virginia a top choice.

More than 25,000 Virginia seniors reported their choices to the website. Overall, more than 51,000 Virginia students currently participate in the MyCollegeOptions.org college planning program.

"This year's competitions between universities are not only settled on the football field, the basketball court and other sporting venues – they begin much sooner for students and families across the country," said Ryan Munce, vice president of My College Options. "As early as eighth grade, students are planning and preparing to attend the college or university that is best for them. All institutions of higher education try to stand apart from their competition in the hearts and minds of their future freshman classes,"

The top five overall most declared colleges for the Virginia high school class of 2011, according to the survey, are:

1. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University - 28.9 percent

2. The University of Virginia - 19.2 percent

3. James Madison University - 15.1 percent

4. Old Dominion University - 11.6 percent

5. The University of North Carolina - 10.6 percent.