Leveling is SOOO fast in this game it takes no time at all to reach the max level. Like the player above said, almost all the PvP happens at the very top.
After the 17th, I imagine there will be another influx of PvPers, though. I plan on rolling an alt to experience non VA level PvP for the first time since Spring 2010... Commander level (Tier 3) was the most fun I ever had.
It's a shame really, since I've found PvP at lower levels (specifically cmdr), to be rather more slow and require more strategic thinking. Very space navy feel. Basically it felt like how I prefer my Trek space battles.
At the VA level it feels like the enemy is able to insta-pop someome before they can blow their defensive cooldowns, or they survive the opening salvo and become unkillable once their team stacks heals and resists on them.