The University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

I love unc, but it's easy to see how many people dont fit into it's lifestyle. first of all academics: could be better. You have to realize that this is a public school and a lot of NC kids come here after high school just cuz everyone of their friends is goin as well. So as an out of state student, kinda disappointed that crummy dumbass kids come by. I haven't gotten stuck with a TA or faculty that doesn't speak english very well, so i can't comment on that. For the most part, the professors are pretty damn smart. They are definitely accessible, so don't buy that whole argument otherwise. But on the downside, as a freshman you will be in some pretty big lectures. So that's where the whole part comes in about the school treating you as a number. You won't mind so much cuz there are too many chances to have fun that u won't care too much whether your teacher even knows your name. People are awesome down here, social atmosphere and school pride that no other university in the nation has. I mean, all over the country you see carolina blue baseball caps or unc tshirts. Unc is simply the shit. We suck at football though which i don't give a damn about i hate football. If your a guy, lemme tell u that the girls down here are stoopid hot. with a 60-40 ratio girls to guys, u dont mind walkin around campus just to get a glimpse of someone or meeting someone new (as opposed to taking the buses which get crowded during peak hours). South campus, which is where most of the incoming freshman stay is gettin a new dining hall and it is one of the most active places on campus. It's a 10 minute walk to the quad(which can be a bitch at 830 in the morning goin up and down hills), but the good thing is that since we're all freshmen down here, we have our own fun and everyone is meeting each other. Anyway, you'll have your chance as an upperclassman to go to middle or north campus. There are always lots of things goin on near or on campus. franklin street holds poker tournements at local bars, there are clubs, frat court is always busy. Mainly what you gotta weigh here is how much of your academic life are you willing to give up for a social one. If you're an out of state student and you're admitted, chances are you most likely got into northwestern, u chicago, u wash in st. louis, vanderbilt, wake forest and perhaps duke. Except even kids from there envy tar heels cuz they know we have several college's share of fun. I actually did myself a favor and didn't apply to many schools that would give me a hard time with this decision, i wanted unc that bad if i got in.

1st Year Male -- Class 2008

Surrounding City: A+, Individual Value: B-

Being an out-of-state student, I sometimes felt unwanted; however, the feeling waned as the year progressed. Still, many in state students seem to have a quiet resentment of the out-of-state students. The first year academics were not as challenging as I had expected, but the courseload ended up being appropriate, allowing time to enjoy the abounding social life. Although the frat life and "trendiness" could sometimes feel overwhelming, I was able to find a nitch because there is such an erray of people-jocks, preps, pit hippies, and every other categorie one can imagine- who generally mingle with no reservation. Overall, my experience was good. I met wonderful people and look forard to next year.

1st Year Female -- Class 2008

Social Life: A+, Innovation: C-

Well. I have been thinking of what to write here for quite some time because as a recent high school senior I know that people attach a lot of meaning to the reviews posted in this site. I read the reviews for Carolina in a state of dismay last year because they were so negative and yet I knew I was coming here anyway because I am in state and my parents would not pay for me to go to a "lesser" public school than Carolina without a fight because the motto for them like everyone else is go to as good a college as you can. Ok, so I came. But, I am most likely going to transfer even though I feel like my world view is changing here for the better as I get more informed. The quality of my conversations with people has skyrocketed as I can talk confidently about things like yellow fever, hog farming, and the Balkan conflicts thanks to my classes. I am also a huge fan of my Spanish teacher, but I got lucky with him because I transferred out of a really horrible class. Here's the truth; UNC has made me realize that compared to the student body here I am not quite as smart as I thought, that I am very awkward socially, and I am also not very physically confident with myself. I can't imagine studying for four years here in this place where girls hugely outnumber boys and I probably won't get a date until I graduate. And then, will I be so far behind socially that I will have trouble getting dates after that? It's something that is hugely probable for me here at Carolina. Also, I don't want one of those jobs where you have to go way into debt and spend years working on finishing up your education. So if I don't want to be a lawyer, doctor, businesswoman, why do I need the Carolina degree anyway? You may wonder why I don't want the above careers; it's because I have had many encounters with graduate students of all different disciplines including duke students studying on our campus and they were all somewhat un-enchanted with their studies and their future job prospects. They were all mainly concerned with if they were going to be able to make any money once they got out (even the duke ecology major) and they all seemed a little lost and kind of regretful. Also, isolation is very common at UNC unless you are the kid who came in with the cell phone on your belt buckle and a list of high school buddie's phone numbers in your hand and you rush a fraternity/sorority. Basically, I'm transferring to App in the spring so I can be in Watuaga College there so I can live and learn in the same building and not have this intense feeling of intellectual isolation that is common here when the freshman are ushered from big lecture to big lecture. But, I say if you're in state and you're thinking of coming here, do it. After a semester you can transfer and it is good to know what it's like here so you can either fully appreciate the university/college you transfer to without any regret and because this is just a place that has alot to teach to the fresh out of high school types. I basically formulated my life plans just by coming here and experiencing it in all its intensity. It can help you put things in perspective. And then you might decide to leave and go someplace to better suit your goals. I would recommend taking five very different classes your first semester of everything that you have an interest in and that will help you narrow it down by the end of the semester. Come here if you are a black male, you are in huge demand here and will have a girlfriend in a second. If you are an average looking girl, don't come because everyone here is 90 pounds and blonde and do you really want to coompete with that? I don't, I think social life is just as important as academic life.

1st Year Female -- Class 2007

Useful Schoolwork: A+, Surrounding City: F