The University of North Carolina - Asheville

I highly recommend Asheville. While it might not be the best place for an incredibly conservative student, it all depends on how well you can listen and respect other peoples ideas.

-The city of Asheville has great places to eat, live music all the time, and a bus runs from campus to downtown.

-The dorm rooms are amazing. I always brag to my other friends that I don't have to put up with hall bathrooms, and just have to share a bathroom with 4 other people instead of a hall of 20 boys and girls. Also, the rooms are larger than at most schools.

-The professors always make time for you
-There are your typical preppy students here, but there are more artsy kids by a long shot. There are a good amount of kids who smoke also, if that's an issue.

-There aren't a lot of parties in dorms, but a lot of people live in apartments close to campus so the parties are usually there. Also, even though most kids live off campus, pretty much everyone that lives off campus lives within like 2 miles of campus.

-Awesome outdoors program!I love this school, wouldn't imagine going anywhere else. I chose Asheville over Chapel Hill and Cornell. With only 3500 students, safety, and an overall amazing attitude, it was the best choice I've ever made.

1st Year Female -- Class 2012

Faculty Accessibility: A+, Campus Aesthetics: B+

UNC-Asheville provided me and my fellow Bulldogs a great education during the four years I spent there. UNCA is unlike the other schools within the UNC system and if focuses on the student's development rather than the professor's CV. I spent most of my time in the lit and history departs and found the professors to be wonderful and engaging. There were a few bad apples in the lit department but I was able to just take classes with the two professors I loved to complete my minor. UNCA does suffer from being a small school and lacking in many resources of a major research school like NCSU or UNC, but at UNCA you will receive a great undergraduate education that will prepare you for graduate studies. UNCA is harder than many would think and is a challenge, but the professors are willing to help you in anyway possible. I hope UNCA continues its positive movement and sustains the helpful and collaborative environment that existed while I was there. And most importantly that it stays an undergraduate school focused on its undergrads!Asheville itself is a very diverse and beautiful place to spend four years (or all of) your life. Indeed there a different political and lifestyle perspectives, but this is an element that can be either embraced or ignored. You are free to be whoever you want at UNCA.

4th Year Male -- Class 2007

Surrounding City: A+, Innovation: B

I transfered from a college that was in PA, so I came to UNCA as a junior. It was the best move that I could have made. All of the professors were very helpful. Most of them were very good teachers. I got a great view of life and background education in so many different areas from their liberal arts perspective. I would not take it back for anything!

2nd Year Female -- Class 2004

Faculty Accessibility: A, University Resource Use/ spending: C+