Here’s my dilemma:
I have a big scholarship offer and study abroad from App State, however, App doesn’t have enough diversity (which is extremely important to me) and I didn’t like the campus that much, but it does have my major.
UNC has been my dream school and has enough diversity, however, tuition is very expensive and my major is not guaranteed because of how competitive the program is. It is a very good program though and I feel like I can’t pass up on trying.
UNCC has diversity, offers my major and other similar options, but is still expensive, and not very special to me.
What should I do? Any piece of advice would incredibly helpful!!
What’s your major (I’m guessing business)? Will you need grad school?
If App was off the table completely, would you pick UNC?
If you’re in-state, then UNC is an incredible bargain that’s hard to pass up (especially for business). Did you fill out a FAFSA? Was there a payment plan if you hadn’t received the offer from App?
I would take UNCC out of the decision unless it’s significantly cheaper than UNC. Doesn’t sound like it appeals to you.
My money is on Nursing.
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They’d have to compete to get into App’s nursing program as well - unless they got a direct admit.
Hi! I want to major in Public Health (Health Policy and Management at UNC)
I did fill out FAFSA. Without the scholarship, I wouldn’t have even considered App State. It would’ve been between UNCC and UNC
Gillings was my other guess. What is the acceptance rate?
D19 went through similar decision struggle, but with business and UNC vs UofSC (she’s in KFBS now so her gamble paid off). D21 facing similar issue with BME and UNC vs ASU (AZ not App). So, I appreciate the challenge of your decision.
How comfortable are you with Plan B options at UNC if not accepted to major, especially in light of cost difference?
I agree it’s hard to pass up a shot at #1.
I agree - look into the plan B if you don’t get into Gillings and see what the alternatives are. I still don’t think I’d pass on an opportunity to attend UNC over a worry that I might not get into that major - I’d always be wondering “what if?”
My daughter (UNC-KF 2017) has several friends who did not get into KF and graduated with the “fall-back” econ degree and none of them had trouble finding jobs or being successful. One has the same internship-turned-job my daughter has.
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It’s about a 30% acceptance rate within Gillings. I don’t have any strong Plan B options at UNC, worst-case scenario would be me transferring to UNCC.
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Thank you for sharing that! You’re so right- I’d be wondering “what if” too. I don’t have a strong plan B option except for transferring but I’m not sure that is an emotionally smart decision.
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Do you have a sense of what the 70% who are not admitted to Gillings end up doing? I doubt many are transferring out of UNC, so what are their Plan Bs?
What is your career goal with the major?
UNC is quite liberal artsy so it’s not uncommon for students to double major or major + minor or major + 2 minors. Is there a combination of other options that could get you close - for example Public Policy major taking health focused electives and Health and Society minor - if you do not get into Gillings?
Have you attended an admitted student info session for Gillings? If so, did the topic of what happens to those not admitted come up?
https://catalog.unc.edu/undergraduate/programs-study/public-policy-major-ba/
You will want to consider the outcomes for students from App State with your major vs UNC Gillings or Plan B possibilities. I imagine outcomes for UNC are on the whole better.
Also, you said UNC is expensive - consider how big of a factor money is for your family - critically important or preference would be to save the money. Also, will you likely go to grad school? If so, then sometimes it makes sense to save on the undergrad expense. If UNC has been your dream and you do not go will you always wonder what if/have regrets? Would you feel like you are settling for 2nd choice?
UNC was D19s dream as long as she can remember, which is why she took the gamble. D21 is a life-long fan, but would not really say it (or any school) is her dream school, so that is a different decision dynamic.
Good luck with your decision.
I don’t have specific career goals or a plan to go to grad school as of right now, but I do know that Public Health is what I want to study because I am passionate about it. With the opportunity of being able to try out Gillings brings fear of rejection however I do feel like I will be settling if I go for a second choice. I have considered other options at UNC (like medical anthropology) however nothing too interesting has crossed my path.
I am starting to consider UNCC. I believe that it is my most comfortable option (has diversity, offers my major, and is close to home) but I also feel like I would be settling, what do you think?
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Yes.
Go for UNC! 
Even with the “fall back” major, you’d do well because you’d graduate from your state’s flagship AND a nationally known university, which has a good career center, alumni network, and internship opportunities (if you seek them out - obviously, they won’t fall into your lap).
Or App State since it’ll be the cheapest and the most personalized - as their star student, they’ll make sure you know about every possible opportunity. This kind of attention guarantees that you’ll get to where you want to go with all the support you need. As for “your major”, it’s a collection of classes you can assemble at both colleges, you can tailor any major to your goals.
Now, I understand the diversity issue. That IS a legitimate concern. How about you reach out to the various offices and student groups, ask them whether they’d recommend you come or should go elsewhere, and tell them what’s on your mind? See what they say.
And you know what, if at the end of your first year at UNC (or App State) you really hate it? …You can still transfer to UNCC (because it’s much easier to get into UNCC from App State or UNC, than the reverse).
UNCC, I understand, is the most “comfortable” - not too challenging, not too far, perhaps “settling” like you’d settle into a comfortable couch.
But try to think of your 21-year old self. Do you think she’ll be glad you took the “easy path” and gave up UNC or a cool scholarship program to stay close to home?
And frankly, how easy is it to launch, from a comfortable couch v. a trampoline (UNC)? 
It’s obviously up to you. I live in Charlotte - it’s a great city and UNCC is a great school, but you seem ambivalent about going there, fueled primarily by your fear of rejection at UNC.
Being admitted to UNC, in and of itself, is a big hurdle. Have confidence in yourself that you have what it takes to get into Gillings as well - then hit the ground running on day one of your freshman year and make it happen.
If cost is an issue then I completely understand your consideration of cheaper alternatives. No one should go into substantial debt for undergrad. There are many paths to reach your goal. Maybe reach out to someone in Gillings and see what the possibilities are for transferring as a junior (in case you end up not being happy at the other 2 schools).
I’m not sure what the job opportunities are with just an undergrad degree in public health. The few people I know in that field have all pursued graduate degrees. If you go the graduate route, it becomes less important where you go for undergrad.
Our daughter is in a very similar situation. She got a full ride at our state university but is very interested in UNC’s public health program or biostatistics. They admit 40 students, I believe, and biostats only admits 15-20. We are definitely encouraging her to have a strong plan B if she ends up choosing UNC. Good luck to you!
What are the details regarding the study abroad offer from Appalachian State University ?
Is it during summer ? For a semester or for a year ?
Can you study abroad without adversely impacting your major area of study ?
Will study abroad enhance your understanding of your major ?
It just says before my senior year. I think that I have decided to narrow it down to UNCC and UNC. I am still stuck on which one to choose
I don’t really have a strong plan B option. I’m interested in public health specifically and Gillings is the only thing at UNC that leads me towards my interest.