<p>The short of the question: is UNC C.H. worth it over A&M and UT?</p>
<p>The long of the question: I have lived in Texas for 8 years, and have been accepted to both A&M and UT. A&M would cost only $16k/year and UT will be telling me my scholarship amount by March.</p>
<p>The problem is, my family has decided to move to North Carolina, which may be happening within the next 2 months. I am very close with my family, and with 2 little sisters that really rely on me a lot, this was a painful surprise.</p>
<p>Also, I really have gone through much pain at my current high school, having gone through bouts of depression and self-esteem issues because of the general coldness of the school's people (I am not the only one to observe this at my school). And these very people will be attending, in very large amounts (1000 people in my class), A&M and UT.</p>
<p>I see UNC as a sort of fresh start, where I can become who I truly am, not the person that has been formed by 4 years of hurtful memories. But the deadline for admissions has passed, and the only option available is to go to one of UNC's feeder schools.</p>
<p>So is it worth it? To pay ~$30k for a feeder school, and then go to UNC? To get a fresh start? To be near family?</p>
<p>I don’t know if this answers at least part of your question. I am a parent and live 20 miles from “carolina”. A transplant from the north myself 25 years ago I have never met such warm and comfortable people as in NC. Its just an attitude of warmth and kindness. UNC is a hard school to get into, much easier to transfer into. I know dozens of my S’s friends who have gone to UNC-Asheville, UNC-Wilmington and UNC-Charlotte and they have LOVED it there. We visited UNC-Asheville so many times and absolutely loved the school. It is worth visiting as it doesn’t read as well as the school and town present…the town is a beautiful place. It is much easier to transfer into UNC-CH after a year. My S went out of state, and I think at times, misses the warmth of NC. But you will find warm people everywhere, on every campus. Hope it helps. And as a mom, fresh starts and family support after a bumpy road is likely a good thing.</p>
<p>And one last thought, don’t know what you are looking to do career wise, but Guilford College is worth a look…it is quaker, and a very friendly peaceful place…it is on the list of colleges that change lives website…</p>
<p>elle232, thank you so much for your reply! This has calmed my heart more than you can imagine! This has been a very rough time trying to make this decision, and your wise words have brought me peace. Hearing that your S’s friends have loved their time at the feeder schools is also a great relief, after reading some of the more negative reviews on various sites. Again, thank you for the advice!</p>
<p>Greetings, and up front, good luck in finding the new start you are looking for. My daughter is a first year student at Chapel Hill and finds it very hospitable. Both A&M and Texas are terrific schools from what I know. Also, given UT’s size, you could probably find a comfortable niche without ever having to associate with your former classmates. After a year or two, you could transfer to UNC with in-state tuition.</p>
<p>As a point of clarification, the other schools in the UNC system are not really “feeder” schools to Chapel Hill or NC State. They are excellent regional universities in their own right. The quality and in-state value of the UNC system is certainly one of the best in the country.</p>
<p>As elle232 stated, UNC Asheville is an outstanding liberal arts school in a beautiful part of the state (OK, I live about 30 miles away so I am biased). Appalachian State in Boone, NC is also a great choice (my son just graduated from ASU in December). Other options, East Carolina, Charlotte, Western Carolina, etc.</p>
<p>Remember that all of the UNC system schools limit out-of-state enrollment to no more than 18% so admission can be difficult. As elle232 also mentioned, there are good options for private schools that would provide a solid platform to transfer from, especially if you have to pay out of state tuition until your family is established as NC residents. These schools often offer aid packages that ease the “sticker price.”</p>
<p>You might want to look at Elon, Campbell, Wingate, Queens as well as Guilford.</p>
<p>UNC Wilmington (12,000 students) & Charlotte (24,000 students) & Asheville (5,000 students) are all past application deadline for fall 2013. They consider on a space available basis after the deadline but most of the popular public colleges in NC have seen big increases in number of applications this year, and many are sliding down to these schools after not having gotten into their first or second choices. UNC Greensboro (18,000 students) has an application deadline of March 1 and out of state total cost is only $26,000, so you may want to hedge your bets and whip out an appplication there.</p>
<p>Of course there’s also the private colleges as well.</p>
<p>^^ Very good points. Greensboro is an excellent choice too! App State indicates no deadline for applications but they fill up quickly (last year 12K+ applicants, 7K admitted for a class size of 3K).</p>
<p>I agree with all the above posters…elon is a great school with a big greek system, and unc-g I think is a bigger school.They aren’t feeder schools; but with that said, you will have residency after a year with your parents move, and certainly a better chance. People say, I don’t know firsthand, WCU is also a great school. My son tended toward the vibe I think you are looking for, he wound up out of state, go figure, but UNC-A and guilford were on the top of the list because of the good vibe and good education…</p>
<p>In these things, its always good to call admissions and ask, given your peculiar situation, about december admissions etc…</p>
<p>NC is a wonderful place to live. Asheville and chapel hill are lovely places. I hope it works out well for you, and you find your place!</p>
<p>I’d like to thank all of you for your immensely helpful suggestions. I apologize for the late response, but things have gotten hectic in the planning of this move to North Carolina. Also, thank you for the many college suggestions, as I have currently begun to apply to several of the colleges you all have mentioned. However, I believe with the current situation, it may be beneficial to take a “gap year” and obtain instate residency, then apply for UNC Chapel Hill the following year. </p>
<p>Either way, all of your helpful comments have solidified my decision to make North Carolina my new home. I cannot begin to describe how greatly your suggestions have helped assuage my family’s fears. I thank all of you once again for your awesome advice.</p>
<p>I would follow your family to NC, in this situation. You need to be happy. And if seeing all those idiot HS people will give you the chills, you need to get away. If you told me you wanted to stay in TX bc that was where your heart was, and your family wanted you to move with them, then I would say stay. It is your life!</p>
<p>But with your circumstances, go to NC. Transfer to CH if you do not get in, and be happy!! Be your self, and you will be loved. HS kids are cruel and mean, our generation has been given more freedom and less responsibility, therefore, creating a less than wonderful/mature HS kid! IMO.
You will thrive in NC, it is a beautiful state, much more down to earth, sweet southern hospitality.
Don’t be hard on yourself, all of us are having a hard time deciding which college is right for us, even those that got into great schools!
Start fresh/start new/be happy!!!</p>
<p>bagirl24, I really don’t know how to thank you enough for your response. It’s like words themselves cannot describe my level of thanks for the responses I have gotten on this thread. I started this thread thinking I was going to get a lot of “go to this school, you’ll like it better” but instead, I have received absolutely wonderful and kind wisdom. And bagirl24, your response could not have come at a better time, as I had begun to doubt my decision to move, due to several minor circumstances that seemed bigger than they were. You have truly blessed my heart with your response, and I hope you are blessed as well in your life. You have helped me sort through the noise of this immense decision, and understand what truly matters in making this choice. Again, I cannot begin to express how thankful I am! With the utmost sincerity of my heart, thank you!</p>