This guide is for University of Virginia students participating in UVA V-TOP: Fall 2025 Projects in Software, UX/UI & Data Analytics through Riipen. Once you’ve joined the experience using the magic link in Handshake, follow the steps below to apply and complete your project successfully.
1. Click the magic link in Handshake to join the Riipen experience.
If you don’t yet have a Riipen account, you’ll be prompted to create one using your UVA email address.
If you already have a Riipen account, simply log in.
Important: Please do not create multiple accounts.
2. Once you are logged in, you will be prompted to digitally sign the program agreements.
2. Click on the agreement, review the language carefully, and select “Sign Digitally.”
3. By clicking on your initials avatar in the top right corner, you can edit your profile. Add your pronouns (optional), location, and choose up to 5 categories that interest you (ex: Financial Technology, Product Management, Administration, etc.) You can further personalize your profile by including a photo, your bio, and uploading your resume. This will be shared with employers when you are working on their project.
4. Once you’ve signed the agreement and completed your profile, return to the experience page and scroll down to view available projects.
5. Click on a project to open it, review the details carefully, and select “Apply” if you’d like to be considered.
Please submit your project applications within 3 days to maximize your chances of being selected. You may have up to 3 active applications at a time, but will only commit to 1 project.
Employers will review applications and may reach out to schedule an interview.
Each project lasts 4 weeks (40 hours of work per student) and must be completed by October 10.
If your application is accepted, you will also need to accept it on your end as soon as possible.
6. Once your placement is confirmed, complete the pre-survey and then click “Start Project.”
7. After starting your project, use the chat feature to connect with your employer. You can also schedule a kick-off meeting. Throughout the project, make sure to log your hours regularly using the Worklog feature.
8. In the “Upcoming Tasks” section, you can set personal milestones to stay on track. You’ll also see the final submission deadline, receive prompts to provide feedback to your employer, and complete an exit survey.
9. Once you have completed all milestones, logged your hours using the worklog feature, submitted tasks, filled out surveys, and uploaded your final deliverables, you’ll unlock access to a Certificate of Completion.
Final submissions may include multiple files such as your project work, a detailed timesheet, or a comprehensive written summary of your completed work.
The certificate includes the project and company details along with the skills you displayed while completing the project. This certificate can be used to showcase the work you have completed on your various online portfolios such as LinkedIn or a personal portfolio.
10. When the project and surveys are completed, you will also have the opportunity to receive direct feedback and an endorsement from your employer, which you can share with your networks to support your future career path.