The University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

Great school. Came in as a transfer student from Maryland. In terms of academics, you will be challenged. There are limitless research opportunities (whether it's with just UNC or joint programs with NC State or Duke) and people overall really find UNC to be a prestigious public school. School pride really bleeds here, and every place I have been seems to have tar heel fans or graduates. There is a DEFINITE bubble that may lead to some awkwardness if you haven't grown up a certain way (especially as a minority), and minorities can be kind of clique-y, but you will find your niche here no matter what/who you are (and you will meet people outside of that too, which is awesome!). There is absolutely something for everyone here, and the overall culture is VERY accepting, from students to faculty (also pretty liberal overall, if that matters to you). When I first applied to UNC, I was worried about the racial tension and athletic scandals occuring, however for the most part these things didn't effect my experience too much as a student. You will create memories at any school you go to, but few schools will match the spirit, alumni network, athletics, academics, and overall aura of UNC. I'm very glad I came here. There's a reason a lot of faculty and graduate students here chose UNC twice. As far as advice, UNC has a holistic application process that will take everything into account. If you can emphasize helping people, a certain passion, or just an overall curiosity for knowledge, you will be fine. Last I checked, the in-state acceptance rate is like 50%. The out of state acceptance rate is below 10% or so (but don't get discouraged if you don't get in as an OOS student, as the transfer application doesn't take into account in-state/OOS status). I'm jealous of all of you who get to enjoy this experience for 4 years. Go Heels.

Alumnus Male -- Class 2000

Of course, like every university, UNC has its problems, but I have thoroughly enjoyed my 3 years at Carolina thus far. I'm currently an OOS Senior from Maryland and chose Carolina over many options--UVA, U Michigan, UCLA, and Boston College??and am so happy I did. The students are smart, approachable, and down-to-earth, and most professors I've had have been great. I would highly recommend. Also, Carolina alum are some of the most loyal alumni and not just for getting a job instate. As somebody who wants to either move to NYC or DC post-graduation, there are MANY alumni that are willing (and want to) help.

3rd Year Male -- Class 2015

Individual Value: A+, Collaboration/Competitive: B

Things I wish I knew before I went:

I recommend that any serious student find some way to get into seminar level classes as soon as possible. Either AP out or take some college courses somewhere else. The difference between the upper level courses and large freshman/sophomore courses is vast. I only found the great UNC my junior and senior year. I kept on looking for aid to transfer to University of Chicago (a very serious school) my first two years. I was shocked at the lack of academic intensity. Luckily, I found it when I got into high undergraduate/ graduate classes.

It helps to know what you want to do before you start-remember, you want to get into those upper level classes as soon as possible. Smaller and more expensive private colleges might give you a better search experience if you are undecided. But you have to pay!

Unless you are sure that you are stopping at a BA or BS or you want to be a businessman in North Carolina, don't join a fraternity. Although there are some good students in frats, I found them to be very Southern and somewhat anti-intellectual. Remember, I took a lot of math, statistics, economics, and physics classes and it seemed to me that the frat guys were either not in these classes or were filling out the low end of the curve. On the other hand, the rare smart frat guys I met had impressive resumes.

My guess is that statistically, the frats don't look mediocre since so many people leave. I remember at matriculation-"look to your left, look to your right, one of you will be gone." The frat guys are probably happier and they stay (I wrote my honors thesis on sample selection bias).

Strangely, I didn't find the same thing for sororities, so if you are a serious student and female, go for it.

I taught at the University of Virginia and in comparison I noticed three big differences: 1) the top students were slightly better at UNC while the average student at UVA was better and 2) students crammed much harder at UNC toward to the end of the semester and played more the rest of the time (this may be related to 1) and 3) UNC if far more liberal than UVA.

As an aside, if you are a good crammer either by nature or due to poor habits, you will like it here better than other places. But this also may account for the 1/3 drop-out rate.

People are more modest here. Really. It is part of the fabric. My twin brother went to Duke and it was different, especially if you were poor. The women I met did not care that I came from a broke single mom family and lived in a trailer out near Chapel Hill Airport. My brother (on scholarship) at Duke had a country mouse feeling the whole time he was at Duke.

Alumnus Male -- Class 2000