Big Decisions.

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
1

<p>Hi, all,</p>

<p>I am a prospective English Education major, and I am in the process of trying to find out more about UNC Chapel Hill. I was just accepted, which makes me having been accepted to all schools I applied to (Lenoir-Rhyne University, UNC Chapel Hill, UNC Asheville, NC State, Appalachian State University, Brevard College, and Mars Hill College). My heart is at Lenoir-Rhyne, though; their Visiting Writers program for English majors has welcomed such names as Billy Collins, former poet Laureate, and their small, genuinely caring environment is something I love. However, I am receiving pressure from outside to attend UNC Chapel Hill because of its prestige and my acceptance. I do not want to live on campus if I did wind up going there, though, so in summary, I have three questions:</p>

<p>1). Does UNC Chapel Hill have any distance programs (online, at another campus, or anything) for Bachelor degrees?</p>

<p>2). Is it possible to attend two colleges synonymously? If there was any way that I could attend and live at Lenoir-Rhyne and also go to UNC Chapel Hill distance/online, that would be amazing. I could work on my English degree through UNC, and my Secondary Education degree though L-R (I am a student at an Early College High School, and I am used to a very rigorous collegiate workload--I am graduating at the end of this semester with my High School Diploma, an Associate of Arts in College Transfer, Diploma in Web Technologies, and three certifications in Web Design through CIW (and I'm only 17)--so I am more than equipped to handle what might seem to be an erroneous workload).</p>

<p>3). Certain people tell me that I am making a mistake by not wanting to attend UNC before Lenoir-Rhyne. Is this really as big a mistake as they say it is, or is it not more important to attend where I am most happy? Will I be able to get a job with a degree from L-R just as I would from UNC? And could I go to grad school at UNC if I did a B.A. at L-R?</p>

<p>Some important things to know may include the fact that I have had an extremely rigorous courseload at an Early College (finished everything you see above from 9th - 12th grade), I have a 3.7 GPA unweighted, I took all Honors courses, I have tons of extracurriculars, including Presidential leadership positions in National Honor Society, Student Council, and Theatre, I am an NC Teaching Fellows finalist, and money is a big issue for me, although I already have a decent amount of grant/scholarship money.</p>

<p>Thank you all so very much for all of your counsel and assistance; it is greatly appreciated.</p>

2

<p>The key point in what you wrote above is that you don’t want to live on campus. To me, this is a huge thing - sort of like telling a person that you want to marry them but prefer to live separately and just get together when you schedule appointments. It makes me wonder whether your heart is really into a higher education or more focused on staying close to home. Since all your schools are in NC - all but UNC and State are in western NC - my guess is that you have some separation anxiety about leaving that part of the state. If that’s the real factor lifting L-R above Chapel Hill, then I’d really encourage you to examine it and consider challenging your own comfort zone.</p>

<p>That said, there would be no comparison between UNC and the other acceptances you have. The small, caring environment is a factor to be sure, though I’m certain that you could find a niche, perhaps within your major at UNC, that would feel more intimate. But without knowing anything about the English program at UNC, I’d be shocked if its visiting writers don’t outshine L-R’s. </p>

<p>You have excellent academic credentials, and UNC would provide you an opportunity to be challenged by peers with similar abilities and interests. At the other schools, you’d be a distinct outlier - your role there would be to provide challenge and inspiration to the other students, but you could very likely be frustrated by the absence of an intellectual focus such as yours. Faculty have to teach to the medians of their classes - they can’t aim their discussions at either end of the bell curve, or they’d lose the majority of the class. I’d have to imagine that the quality of discussion about literature at UNC would have the potential to go well beyond that at your other schools.</p>

<p>So I’d be among those who’d really encourage you to consider Chapel Hill, though the assumptions I’ve made about your interest in L-R may be way off base.</p>

3

<p>gadad,</p>

<p>You are absolutely correct on some or most fronts. But the reason I wanted to attend L-R in the first place was because it was the only school I visited where I felt like much more than a number; from the moment I went there, I knew I was welcomed and they knew me by name every time I’ve visited since. On the same token, UNC’s population is much larger (2,000 as opposed to 18,000; my County’s high school population isn’t any more than 1,500), and I don’t feel like I could function there as well as at L-R. That’s why I was curious as to whether or not there was a distance program for undergrads at Chapel Hill. Of course, I haven’t visited yet. I’ll take a trip there soon. What is student life like at UNC? Is it party central or is it mostly highly ambitious and committed students?</p>

4

<p>What is student life like at UNC? Is it party central or is it mostly highly ambitious and committed students?</p>

<p>One thing that people have to understand about many/most flagship schoools is that there are going to a wide variety of kids attending – some super smart and academically committed to challenging majors, some who like to party and are majoring in easier majors so that’s possible, and some who are somewhere in the middle. No flagship is going to have all “cookie cutter” students who have their noses in books all the time and never party. I doubt smaller colleges are going to be much different in that regard.</p>

<p>I wouldn’t dismiss a school just because there is a segment that parties.</p>

5

<p>UNC is a wonderful school and is well known for its undergraduate creative writing. That said, the decision on where to go is ultimately up to you, but I think you really can’t make an informed decision without visiting UNC. </p>

<p>I don’t think there are any options for distance-learning (online classes) for undergrads at UNC. I could be wrong. When we visited last year there was a lot of emphasis about the campus experience and relationships with other students and professors.</p>

<p>It is big, but there are much bigger flagships. It didn’t feel overwhelmingly big to us, and the campus is beautiful. However, if you won’t be comfortable in a large environment (and if you are SURE of that even without visiting) then go with a smaller school.</p>

6

<p>I am going to sound a bit hypocritical here since one thing I usually espouse is the importance of “fit.”</p>

<p>Financial considerations aside, I think you could be making an enormous mistake to select L-R over UNC for a variety of reasons, many of which were already voice by gadad. You are obviously a high achiever which makes me question why you wouldn’t want to surround yourself with many more high achievers.</p>

<p>If you simply do the math, you will understand that the “average” UNC student is far above average. In a given class of approximately 3500 freshman more than half will have applications that would have gotten them into far more selective private schools including Ivies. In raw numbers that means that there are more people with Ivy/private profiles in UNC’s freshman class than in schools like Duke, Vanderbilt and others with incoming classes of about 1300 students. </p>

<p>UNC is a school that allows its students to have the undergraduate experience that individually each student wants. What I mean is that if you want to remain anonymous and be a part of large classes you can have that through course selection. On the other hand if you want small classes, involvement with professors, research opportunities etc you can have that as well. It’s up to you.</p>

<p>UNC has a nationally recognized creative writing program and a UNC degree will carry far more weight in the employment world than a degree from L-R. Given that the economy is creating cutbacks and more creative budgeting I would want to have the strongest resume possible when being part of a candidate comparison for a job these days. Can you get a teaching job with a degree from L-R? Absolutely but you will probably get the opportunity for a better job at a better school with the UNC degree. </p>

<p>I suspect that you are younger than the average UNC student and coming from a small school and town it all could appear a bit daunting. College is really about far more than what happens in the classroom. It’s about learning AND growing and many times what happens AFTER classes end can be as important to your happiness as well.</p>

<p>A number of years back my son’s list of schools was Amherst, Dartmouth, Pomona, Yale, Princeton and UNC among others. UNC was clearly the largest school on his list and it was there simply because he was nominated for the Morehead. He attended a private all boys school and graduated in a class of 82 and we always felt that he needed that personal attention that could be readily found in a smaller school. My big concern was UNC’s size as well but when we visited I was struck over the two days by how many times we ran in to the same people on and around campus and my perception changed dramatically after that.</p>

<p>He was accepted SCEA at Yale (his dream school since 9th grade) at which time he withdrew his apps to Amherst, Dartmouth and Pomona. He wasn’t interested in “collecting skins” and knew he had classmates whose first choices were some of those schools so why potentially endanger their chances for admission? He eventually also was accepted to Princeton, Wash U and Stanford but selected UNC.</p>

<p>He never regretted his decision. By his junior year at UNC he said that he honestly couldn’t even imagine seeing himself at Yale.</p>

<p>I think you really need to visit and to rethink the living on campus issue. Lifelong friendships are forged in freshman year dorms. Given your background I can understand your concerns and fears. Hopefully you will see that growing as a person as well as intellectually will be better served at UNC…</p>

<p>Good luck with your decision.</p>

7

<p>Please also consider that there is no “English Education” major at UNC. If you want your teaching license, you must opt for a fifth year Masters in Teaching. I am a future teacher and see this as a positive because it allows me more flexibility when earning my BA in English to possibly minor in another subject area. In addition, teachers with graduate degrees, on average, make about 10 percent more right out of school than those with just BA’s. It also helps when finding a job.</p>

8

<p>Good insights above. I just wanted to add that IMO jaf, doing any distance learning just because it originates from Chapel Hill would negate almost all of the assets that you might experience as a UNC student. It would be like contacting an outstanding restaurant, celebrated for its ambience, presentation and service, and asking them to sell you the raw ingredients of a dish so that you can take it home and make it for yourself.</p>

9

<p>I was under the impression that UNC requires all freshman to live on campus, so I doubt that they have a distance option.</p>

10

<p>I didn’t realize that the MAT program was a Masters program–I was under the impression that it was just a licensure program. That is pretty impressive. As a Teaching Fellow requirement, that would be a very big bonus.</p>

<p>I realize that this is a very big opportunity, and I am weighing my options–there are just a lot of things that weigh into my decision and it is a very, very difficult one to make, as I am sure that some of you know.</p>

11

<p>Another thing that I forgot to mention is that, while I am applying as a freshman, I’m transferring 64 credits and will switch to Junior status by second semester. This completes my core requirements, and I have also taken American Lit before 1865, and American Lit after 1865, so I can feasibly and likely will complete my Bachelors in English in two semesters, or a year’s time. I would then complete my Masters in Teaching in a year’s time.</p>

12

<p>Forgive me if I sound rude, but the reason I have never gotten the idea of an Early College High school is because it takes away 2 years from the undergraduate experience. If there is a way that you could take your time and enjoy the ride, I would urge you to do that. When I go, I should have enough AP credit to apply for sophomore standing. I’m not going to do this because the experience is just as important as the degree. I might use the credit to go for a double major, but in my opinion, the full four years is important.</p>

13

<p>I agree with TonyBallioni. I wouldn’t go to an Early College High School for that reason. Granted, my cousin is at the Wake Early College right now and loves it, but I don’t think for me it would be worth losing the time I could have as an undergrad. Then again, that might not be how you & other Early College students view it.</p>

<p>I would definitely visit UNC before you make this decision. What I love about UNC is that its a big school, but you can make it as small as you want it to be. If you want to get lost in the crowd, you can do that, but if you get involved and do as much as you can, it’ll be as small as you want to see it. But, with Lenoir-Rhyne and any other small school, you can’t make it any bigger than it is.</p>

14

<p>My son entered with 43 hours credit but chose not to declare them until his junior year otherwise you have to schedule your graduation as soon as you do declare. This will limit some classes you might want to take. My advice is not to declare for Junior status as soon as you are able to. Speak to your advisers at UNC about this; it’s not like a JC or advanced credit. Make sure you fully understand the implications of declaring before you do so because you can’t be “undeclared” once you change your status.</p>

<p>With those core requirement out of the way you can really expand the course offerings you select and expose yourself to some great courses and professors. UNC is home to several world renown scholars in the Englsih department. I believe that one is a Yeats scholar but I’ll need some current UNC students to help me here.</p>

15

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<p>Why the rush? Most people will tell you that their four years of college were the best years of their lives. From the personal experience of seeing both of my children go through the process (my D is now a college Senior) I can honestly tell you that they both grew and matured and were very different people after four years than when they entered as freshmen. Just having those extra years to be immersed in the world of academia, the shared knowledge and learning and the experiences of living in that environment will all contribute to making you far better equipped to face the challenges that will follow your time in college.</p>

<p>I strongly advise talking to advisers at UNC and other schools to get their take on things but finishing undergrad in a year to two years is going to rob you of so much more than you can possibly comprehend right now.</p>

16

<p>My advice is to schedule tour of UNC Chapel Hill ASAP. I’ve been accepted to all colleges I applied but UNC is my number 1 choice. I’m so very happy to get accepted to UNC but also there are many students who got deferred and they have few months of waiting. So if you choose not to go to UNC based on your visit it will free up 1 more space for one of those poor folks who left hanging/waiting and who is dying to get in to UNC.</p>

17

<p>My two daughters in college each came out of HS with about 40 hours of joint enrollment credits, but then chose to attend a university that wouldn’t award college credit for them. If they’d stayed in state, they’d have probably double-majored in order to go through a four-year experience with their classes. But if finances are a major sacrifice for a family, it’s great to have the option to spend a couple years on the undergrad degree and then complete a masters. Options are a good thing - even when they’re keeping you awake at night!</p>

<p>jaf, BTW, I’m a little disappointed that the moderator for this thread chose to move it to the UNC forum, where you’re likely to get only pro-UNC opinions. You may want to contact that person on CC about relocating it, or start another thread to see if there are any posters who would support your feelings of belonging at Lenoir-Rhyne. As a Wake Forest alum, I’m keenly aware that not everyone in the world is in love with Carolina! :)</p>

18

<p>gadad,</p>

<p>Finances are a large part of my abbreviated undergraduate pursuit, and I am very glad that someone considered this; I didn’t emphasize it as much as I should have, I guess. My total familial income racks up at about $33,000 for five people, last year–hence, financing higher education is obviously going to be a very large issue. I’m in the running for a full-ride at L-R right now, and that was another thing that made them appealing as well. I am seriously considering UNC, though, and if their Teaching Fellows Open House is rescheduled within the next two weeks, I will attend it. February 20th is where the rubber meets the road, so to speak, simply because in my Teaching Fellows interview, I must state my final first choice where I would like the scholarship to be designated.</p>

19

<p>If your family income is >40,000 for a family of four, I believe you qualify for the Carolina Covenant! </p>

<p>[About</a> the Covenant| The Carolina Covenant ~ The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill](<a href=“http://www.unc.edu/carolinacovenant/about.php]About”>http://www.unc.edu/carolinacovenant/about.php)</p>

20

<p>You probably do qualify for Carolina Covenant! I know someone who is getting ALL of their tuition and other expenses paid for + $1,000 more, through Carolina Covenant and some other programs. Pretty much, she puts that $1,000 towards books and still has about $500 left over. It’s definitely a nice deal.</p>