So if you actually have those pre-reqs upto scratch: Linear Algebra (up to the level of Strang/Sheldon Axler), Statistics (any undergrad book), Algorithms/Data

So if you actually have those pre-reqs upto scratch: Linear Algebra (up to the level of Strang/Sheldon Axler), Statistics (any undergrad book), Algorithms/Data Structures. You can ramp up on your own time and read key research papers. I would do it only if there are amazing people in UVa who you want to work with.