<p>Sorry that this got out of hand. I just have an issue when I'm sharing an opinion and someone tells me my opinion was/is wrong, without pointing to something concrete. If I were discussing a fact, and it was incorrect, that would be different. I'd just revise the info. But, personal experience and opinion is more subjective. Oh well.</p>
<p>UW is a good school for many people. But, like any other school it is not perfect. I just worry, because I do this too, that we sometimes fit the answers to question because we already know what we want the outcome to be. There are a number of peers here on CC that fall into the trap. Just trying to make sure I give you another side.</p>
<p>Sorry if this bums you out. Not my intent at all.</p>
<p>Sincerely,
IB.</p>
<p>PS--I did that with a few Ivies until I visited the campuses. I had to know what was primary and secondary to my college education and experience, and not be afraid of the answers. It was tough. And, it should be. Finding your niche is complicated.</p>
<p>Heh. Not a problem, Isle. Same goes for you, Sonoma. I'm opinionated myself, and I know what it's like to take a firm position. I appreciate both your guys' opinions, and will keep them in mind.</p>
<p>Oh, I forgot to mention one thing...if I go to UW, I'll be required to spend my first year living at home.</p>
<p>I'd freakin die if I had to live at home. Don't do it! Don't do it! :)
Just kidding.</p>
<p>I'd have a hard time studying and living at home, though your situation might be different. You see, my parents love to knock on my door, even when they know I'm studying to take out the garbage, watch my younger brother or nieces, make me go to gatherings I don't want to go to, drive someone somwhere etc...</p>
<p>Then they wonder why I sometimes stay up late at night doing homework??? It's just that it is quiet and less hectic to wait until the house is still, you know?! I usually love my family but sometimes I need my own space, even if it is for just a few hours. Between school, sports, and obligations, I very rarely relax. I figure that if I went away, at least I could make my own schedule and general stick with it. Might be nice to worry about myself for a couple of years (aside from those that are smashed on weekends and puke in the hallway of the dorms). Besides, if I get homesick, I can always transfer back to UW.</p>
<p>Again, I respect your choice...just my personal experience right now. So looking forward to college. Luckily, I'm from SW Washington. My parents would have to warn me before they show up on my doorstep, if I did end-up at UW. :)</p>
<p>Sonoma who do you know? I've spent over a month of my life at UNC, my brother goes there, and I know many UNC students. It has one of the best quality of life experiences in the country. Having lived also at UCLA for a couple of months there's simply no comparison, UNC is much more fun. </p>
<p>I am shocked you have heard that. UNC is very well known for its quality of life. Dukies hang out at UNC all the time since its more fun.</p>
<p>UNC is the better school, along the lines of UCLA and Michigan, while UW is more along the lines of a Penn State. UNC is a more national brand, but if you want to stay in Washington there they probably have equal credibility because locals always tend to overrate their school.</p>
<p>UNC hands down. It's a great school and a great quality of life. You will have so many more opportunities. At our age it seems unlikely that this will be your last boyfriend and while it would be great to watch your sib grow up, you have to live your life. I don't know anything about UW, but clearly it is no UNC. I'm afraid in a couple of years you'll look back and regret not taKing your best opportunity.</p>
<p>given that you'd have to live at home if you went to Wash, my suggestion would be go to UNC. 1st year is a time of transition, when people are most open to making new friends since they're new at school. If you live at home you miss a lot of this. I don't think I've ever met anyone who spent their 1st year at college and says "You know, I think I should have lived at home" but plenty of people who stayed at home wish they had gone away.</p>
<p>FYI - UNC admit rate is very skewed due to the 18% cap on OOS admits and the number of applications from OOS. I don't think that the admit rate should really be viewed as a way to determine which is the better school.
I don't think that attending a school just because you got in ( and yes you should be very proud of that) is a good reason. You will get a good education at either school, so I think you should just choose where you feel you will be happier.</p>
<p>UW is better than UNC for hard sciences but living at home would stink.<br>
I live in Seattle but have made a few trips to CH and Seattle has much more going on for young people. I could see UNC getting old after a couple of years. How many times can you walk up and down Franklin Street?</p>
<p>Barrons is wrong about everything. UW is better for grad school in the hard sciences but overall for undergrad UNC is much better. and UNC rocks socially, there is so much to do. UW is too big and in the city, its much less of a college experience.</p>
<p>One of my good friends went from Madison to UNC for grad school and found it small and pretty dull. </p>
<p>UW is larger than UNC but once you get into the large state school group I don't think there is much difference in class sizes and most other things. UW has its own identified neighborhood with a commercial district pretty much just for the students and student housing all around campus. It's like a college town surrounded by a large city. Unlike most urban schools the campus is large, green and unified.</p>
<p>Barrons - UNC excels in so many "quality of life areas," almost all of which cater to undergrads not grads. Your good friend was a grad student, i.e. not invited to house parties, did not know people out on the street, and generally at a different stage of life. UNC is a college town, grad students seem to be more happy in cities. I have seen the opposite for undergrads, the happiest students all seem to be on the more contained campuses.</p>
<p>Are you kidding...UW and green space? Where is all that greenspace? UW-Madison has more green space and most of it is down the center of campus and the 2 mile running trail. As for UNC specifically, if you had been there the whole center of campus has greenspaces, gardens, and little parks. Franklin St. is a student district like the U-District without all the heavy smokers (wait, that just got banned) and jacked-up people on cafine (Starbucks of course)...as well as the bums asking for money...in a less than savory or safe area.</p>
<p>As for housing...UW houses far fewer students than does UNC on campus. UNC does have lots of on-campus and off-campus housing. Crime, now there's a big difference.</p>
<p>As for size, UW is a third bigger....jeez. I mean, I like my home state and UW, but I can't ignore some of that stuff.</p>
<p>IB</p>
<p>PS--Obviously you have not read much of the material on UNC or hung out with anyone for long periods of time at Chapel Hill...many would dsiagree.</p>
<p>PPS--And now we're debating grad schools at the undergrad level?? UW is ranked #1 for primary care, while UNC is ranked #2; UW is #7 for research in the sciences, while UNC is #23 (according to USNews). Adam has to make a decision on UNDERGRAD.</p>
<p>PPPS--UW-Madison is an awesome school, known for lots of drinking. Great place to spend four years, but it is also a medium sized city (pop. 175,000-220,000). Interesting that you could detect a huge difference. Aside from UW-Madison being on Menona and Mendota, and the size and type of the buildings, they are similar--not including the enormous student population that is about three times that of UNC). Also, try walking uphill to Bascom Hall during a heavey snow...jeez. </p>
<p>PPPPS--Try crossing 45th during rush hour at UW...bet you'd feel like a chicken. Congested is not the word.</p>
<p>According to your reasoning If 40,000 and 25,000 are similar, then UO at 20,000 is no different than the size of Vanderbit. Strange math, which I used to describe Madison and Chapel Hill above...if you caught that.</p>
<p>So if you made some trips to Chapel Hill, why are they called the Tarheels, and what is the area known as? And what is the twon that is adjacent to Chapel Hill but is not included in their population? From easiest to hardest questions. Be fair and use your memory not google. </p>
<p>The UW campus is very green--lots of trees, the fountain, the arb, the flowers, I just don't know what you are talking about.
Besides the Ave you also have U Village which is a great urban center and very popular with UW students--and pan-handler free. Sure the entire Seattle region has tons of panhandlers--even out on the eastside where I live--big deal. Life in the city. </p>
<p>I was just out at UNC a couple of years ago and walked the campus. It's nice too but not in any way that pops out over UW. </p>
<p>I was not debating grad schools at all. But UW is very known for the life sciences--that's why all these biotech firms are all over Seattle. Which leads to another point--lots more places in Seattle to get good internships and jobs.</p>
<p>Heard of Research Triangle....high-tech firms, chemical companies, pharms, RD outfits??? Collaboration with Duke and NCState...high proportion of Ph.D in relation to the general population.</p>
<p>UW, you're talking primarily patches of green between very large buildings. Amazing, how you can equate.</p>
<p>And, while there may be pan-handling laws...the U-Village is not pan-handler free. Get asked all the time, friends that attend do as well.</p>