The University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

I honestly have mixed feelings about Chapel Hill and the University. I like it- most of the time. I do not love it like some people. Chapel Hill is a typical college town. It is really expensive to live here and to survive- food,clothing, etc. I do not think that the school is cheap- tuition went up significantly while I was here and now it is espensive in my opinion! I think the town is a little too laid back. Most places do not open up on Saturday until 10am. I realize most college student's aren't up- but some of us are. If you really want to experience Chapel Hill the town, take summer school- it is much nicer and quieter then when fewer people are here.

I think the quality of education is OK but could be better. Some professors are great and others are too concerned with conducting research so they can obtain tenure or advance their careers. I have also had good and bad TA's- some truly care and know what they are doing and others do not. It was my experience that I didn't recieve a great deal of personal attention until I entered a professional school (probably the same when arts and science students take a great deal of classes from their departments). I have also had classes as large as 600 and as small as 3 students. I think the best thing that UNC offers is its services. I have had great experiences with Unviersity Career Services, Student Health, UNC Libraries, computer labs, and other campus offerings. Although things have improved since I was a feshman, some classrooms did not have heat or air not to mention the dorms- of which only some have air conditioning. I feel that the school cares more about spending money on athletics than for the students. Furthermore, there is no parking for Chapel Hill students- and I blame the univeristy! I think they would rather build "useless" buildings instead of building parking decks. I, as do most conservative students, feel that the univeristy has a liberal agenda. It is not unusual to have mostly liberal professors, commencement speakers, and other political people around campus. To those of you not from NC, this is the most liberal city in the state. (However for you die hard liberals it may not be liberal enough for your liking) SO if you are conservative, be prepared to see and hear things that will probably shock and annoy you. In addition, your opinion will not be valued unless it is of a liberal persuasion- so much for freedom of speech! I hope this will change in the future.

This is definately a Greek school, however, other clubs are avaliable too. Active night life Thurs-Sat. I would not recommend living on campus if you are a serious student. It is too loud and NO ONE enforces the rules. I also lived at Granville Towers- it is not great either. I suggest living off campus.

It is my opinion that the current Chancellor is not well liked by students but is well liked by faculty. He not only promotes the liberal agenda but he also is promoting a program called Carolina First. This program is trying to raise money to make Carolina the best public university. I have news for him-it will take more than money to make Carolina the best public university I think Carolina does not have the reputation it once had - partly because of this chancellor and his spending habits as well as his lack of concern for students.I liked Carolina- and I would go here again- but I think I would have been better suited for Wake Forest or Duke.

4th Year Female -- Class 2004

Campus Aesthetics: A, Useful Schoolwork: B-

There are many pros and cons about attending UNC from my experience.
Pros: lots of school spirit among students, some professors go the extra mile to help you, freshman classes are pretty easy as compared to AP high school courses, the campus is nice, the campus is large, we are a basketball school, students are encouraged to get involved in something, dorm living can be fun at times, halloween, apple chill, a few students have open minds, and food is not great, but it is not bad either, I had better.Cons: students tend to look down upon you and are very arrogant and snooty, parking on and around is a pain, racism on and off campus, tension among African American students and white students, there are many cliques like in high school and students will stereotype you, tension among in-staters and out of state students, social life can be boring a lot of the times and not what some make it out to be, people at the recreation center are rude and it is always crowded, TA's that teach freshman cannot speak english well and most of the people you will have as a freshman will be a TA, some professors don't care about you, some students are very ignorant and closeminded, the university tries its best to brainwash you, the university cares more about graduate students than undergraduate students, getting tickets to a basketball game is a pain unless you have connections, homophobic violence at parties though we have a lot of gay students on campus, drugs are big on and off campus, and athletes act as if they are God's gift to the world.

2nd Year Female -- Class 2009

Education Quality: B-, Campus Maintenance: D-

My time at UNC-CH was a nightmare. I had high expectations for UNC since it has somehow acquired a fairly good reputation among universities. But the reality of the place was so disappointing that I nearly transferred out. The classes in my department were HUGE -- maybe other departments have smaller classes, but I wasn't fortunate enough to have any. I heard professors complain (in class) about how much they hated teaching undergrads, and how it was taking time away from their research. I could hardly believe my ears. The Poli. Sci. dept. is heavily focused on grad students, and they seemed to get all the attention, got to work with the best professors, etc. I felt frustrated and discouraged a lot of time, and really regretted going to UNC.

Alumnus Male -- Class 2000