<p>So I've lived in CA all of my life, in an atmosphere that I absolutely adore. Liberal, open-minded, health-oriented, VERY VERY diverse (I'm a white girl and that's a minority at my HS, haha), and generally relaxed as far as social "standards" and traditions. </p>
<p>I'm researching colleges for this fall and I have a few on my list in the upper South, namely U Virginia, Wake Forest, and UNC Chapel Hill. Now, I've heard a few of my friends talking and I've seen a few posts by West Coasters on these and other forums about how going to a Southern school was like culture shock... No diversity/undercurrents of racism, entrenched social traditions (the Southern Belle/Gentleman), and unforgiving to "outsiders." Not to mention the gender standards, conservative politics and fried everything in the cafeterias (my favorite foods are Thai and Ethiopian...)</p>
<p>How much are these stereotypes and their resulting concerns present? Are the specific schools I mentioned subject to these phenomena? I'd love to hear from everyone about their experiences and opinions, and how much a West Coast girl like me would be able to be comfortable in the South. I really like some aspects of these schools, but a social atmosphere that was truly like the stereotypes would be a dealbreaker for me.</p>
<p>I don’t know about the three schools you mentioned, but my friend went to an SEC school, and he told me that everyone dressed up for football games - Guys wore khakis and dress shirts, while girls wore dresses. That is much different/conservative than what you see in the Big Ten.</p>
<p>I think the schools you are considering are pretty preppy/conservative/formal. They all have a strong Greek presence, which can dominate the social scene.</p>
<p>Wake Forest is a small Baptist college, and 88% white - it seems unlikely to live up to your expectations.</p>
<p>UNC and UVa are somewhat more diverse, each is about 10% AA, 10% Asian, 5% Hispanic, and 5% International, and 70% US/white. UNC has a much more inclusive, liberal feel than UVa. I can’t link it, due to CC restrictions, but a competing college website ranks 1157 US universities from most to least liberal, and UNC is one of only 3 Southern schools in the top 50 most liberal, whereas UVa and Wake are near the “least liberal” bottom of the list.</p>
<p>What is it about these Southern schools that interests you?</p>
<p>you are to hung up on stereotypes, that are not based in 21st century reality! you would have an amazing education/social Experience at any of those schools! the world does not revolve around LA and NYC! and listening to people from LA say unfounded things about the south is a waste of your time!</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies so far, and I’d appreciate more!</p>
<p>@BobWallace - I like the high quality academics and athletics/school spirit of UVa and UNC, as well as the gorgeous campuses, student size, and location (not in a huge city, but in an area with plenty going on). Interesting about the “liberal rankings.” I was most apprehensive about Wake Forest, so I think my thoughts are confirmed there.</p>
<p>@zobroward - If you read my first post more carefully, I’m asking <em>if</em> these stereotypes are present. I have no experience in the South and I’m trying to find a school that will match my values and preferences - is that so wrong?
Also, I’m not from LA so I’m not “listening to people from LA.” What’s that about assumptions and stereotypes again?
My college counselor suggested Vandy, but I don’t want anywhere inland… I need at least the possibility of an ocean or coast :)</p>
<p>@EngiWanaB - These are my only schools that I’m considering in the South. Most of the others on my list are here in CA or in the Northeast. I’m not “interested in the South” so much as interested in the schools, as they’re excellent and seem to have a lot that I want. I’m interested in the culture solely for the purpose of figuring out if I would feel at home there :)</p>
<p>Chapel Hill has an openly gay mayor, and there is a lot of support for gay students on campus. UNC has had a liberal reputation for years, although there are some conservative students as well. There are fraternities and sororities, but they do not dominate campus life. Most students dress casually most days. </p>
<p>I just hate stereotypes, and ones about the South tend to die hard.</p>
<p>I suggest you fly into RDU airport (raleigh durham) check out unc chapel hill and duke they are very close. you will find a very young, vibrant, high tech area with tons of great dining and two world class teaching hospitals! very beautiful area and a lot of folks from the north and even CA who have moved to the area for a better quality of life!</p>
<p>Are the stereotypes of SoCal true? Sure to some extent. But your experience may vary. If you want everything like home, stay home. If you want a new experience go.</p>
<p>the only kids who dress up for football games in the south are the Greeks. The rest of the student body and the rest of the fans are dressed rather typically…shorts and spiriit T’s. </p>
<p>As a native Californian who now lives in the south, my Calif kids have had no problems going to school in the south. </p>
<p>As for “racism,” oh my, Calif schools have their share of racist issues. All schools will have some racist people…some might be anti-Asian, or anti-Hispanic, or anti Black, or anti-White. To suggest that southern colleges have a greater number is ridiculous. </p>
<p>Frankly, it can be more “shocking” for a Calif girl to go to school in the NE…far less friendly. I always laugh at these kinds of questions. Going to a large major southern university is not going to be shocking. You’re not going to a 3rd world country. These schools will not be bastions of conservatism. UAlabama was Obama country in '08, it’s likely that the colleges in question also were. </p>
<p>As for everything being fried in the Dining Halls, that is not true at all. college kids tend to be very health conscious, and many are vegetarians as well. You may see a few salutes to the South offerings, but most of the foods will be the same/similar as to what is offered elsewhere.</p>
<p>“I would take a close look at Duke, Emory, Rice, and Vanderbilt-all of these schools have plenty of Californians enrolled.”</p>
<p>Just because a school has a plenty of students from California, doesn’t necessarily mean it is a bastion of liberalism, culture and/or free-mindedness.</p>
<p>“I think the schools you are considering are pretty preppy/conservative/formal. They all have a strong Greek presence, which can dominate the social scene.”</p>
<p>Greek-life does not dominate the social scene at UNC; the greek population fluctuates between 14-16 percent. Upon on first arriving to campus, most freshman are enamored by the Greek scene. However, by sophomore year, most are over it and typically gravitate toward other groups and networks. </p>
<p>I can’t speak for the other schools, but as a northerner, with close ties to Chicago and Indianapolis, who had never been to the south before I went to UNC, I experienced no culture shock at all. In fact, the surrounding towns and cities are quite progressive. As stated in a post above, Chapel Hill has an openly gay mayor and, also, was the first predominantly white city to elect a black mayor (circa mid 1960s).</p>
<p>Also, the stuffy belle/gentleman stuff is usually confined to a small segment of the student body. Most people I know would scoff at getting dressed up to go to a game.</p>
<p>UNC Chapel Hill is one of the most liberal colleges in North Carolina. The Triangle (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill) are filled with progressive and liberal college students, but UNC especially because CH is such a small town and UNC really makes up that town. UNC is probably your best bet if you’re interested in the South because it offers top notch academics and has that liberal vibe you’re looking for.</p>
<p>I’m an African American girl from the South who lives in the Northeast now. Lots of people have stereotypes about the South, but most of them aren’t true. I lived in Atlanta, which is a solidly Southern city, but Atlanta is mostly liberal. So is the surrounding area around Wake Forest and UNC-Chapel Hill. (Can’t speak to Charlottesville.) I will say that the South in general is less diverse than the Northeast and most of California, but I’ve experienced “undercurrents of racism” pretty much everywhere I’ve lived - that is not confined to the South. And actually, I feel like Atlanta was less oppressive in that sense than here in New York. In Atlanta, I knew a lot of college-educated successful black people; that’s where I got my inspiration to go to college at all (I grew up in the Northeast, where all the folks of color I knew were skilled or unskilled laborers). And Southerners are usually pretty friendly to non-Southerners - very helpful and accommodating…until they get on their high horses and start spouting stereotypes.</p>
<p>I will say, though, that the downside to the South is the lack of food options. Here in NYC I’ve tried all kinds of different foods, but they’re not as common down South. However, in a large city like the Raleigh-Durham area you’d probably be able to find at least a Thai restaurant. Not sure about Ethiopian, but possibly also that. Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill is a pretty diverse area. (Atlanta also had a rather diverse food scene, too, and the area is becoming more diverse as more and more people are moving and immigrating there. So maybe consider Emory?)</p>
<p>And yes, I have to agree with M2CK. Only the Greeks dress up for games; the rest of us are in jeans and Ts or shorts.</p>