Chapel Hill vs Wake Forest

College Search & Selection
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Hi! I’m about to graduate at the end of May, and I’m currently torn between UNC-Ch and Wake Forest. These schools are SO different, and I’m having a hard time figuring out which would be best for me since they each have different pros/cons. Any advice from current or former students at either school would be greatly appreciated!

Here’s some info about me:
-I go to a small private school in-state.
-I don’t know what I want to major in yet - possibly English, elementary ed, environmental sci … honestly it’s very up in the air right now.
-I’ll be paying full tuition at either school

My thoughts on UNC:
Since I’m in-state, the value is incredible, and overall it seems like the most logical choice based on cost/”prestige”/etc. I really liked the school when I toured it, and I know a lot of people who love it there! I’m concerned that it’ll be easy to get lost/overwhelmed by the size of the school (esp. since I’m a little introverted), and I’m a little worried that the size will also make it more difficult to take advantage of resources, schedule classes, etc. Class size was a big concern for a while, but most people I’ve talked to who go there say that, aside from intro courses, classes are generally ~30 people.

My thoughts on Wake:
I have family ties to the school and have grown up visiting. The campus is beautiful/more centralized and the academics are great! Plus the smaller size means that it’ll probably be a more personalized experience and that it’ll be easier to take advantage of resources. However, I don’t know if I could say that I like WF enough to justify the extra cost. My parents don’t want price to be a factor in my decision because we can afford either school, but it’s just such a HUGE difference. Also, I don’t like that Greek life is so prevalent at Wake (esp. in the female population). I’ve heard some people say that it isn’t overbearing, but it seems that a huge percentage of the students are involved and I don’t want to get involved in that or have the social scene be dominated by it. The campus is kind of isolated which isn’t great, but aside from Franklin Street UNC isn’t very city-like either. I’ve heard grade deflation is a big problem at WF, but UNC has a tough grading system too so…

Overall, UNC-Ch intimidates me more because it’ll be very different from my high school experience, but I think that a lot of good could come from it. Although I feel like I could say the same about Wake aghh. I keep going back and forth because I honestly do like both. I don’t think there’s necessarily a ‘wrong’ choice here, but it feels like such a monumental decision … so that being said, any thoughts/experiences would be appreciated! :slight_smile:

p.s. sorry this was so long! just feeling very conflicted atm :confused:

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Can’t go wrong either way. Maybe what you plan to study or your career choice might help with a decision? One of my daughters applied to both, but she knew Wake was her school and was fortunate enough to get accepted. Definitely is a big difference between them.

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Thanks for the response! I agree that both schools are great and I’m sure I’ll enjoy whichever one I choose :slight_smile: It’s just strange because they’re SO different, yet I like/dislike an certain things about both. As for major/career - I was originally planning to major in bio with the intent to go to vet school, but I’ve come to realize that I don’t enjoy science that much and that the competition/debt of vet school just isn’t worth it for me. I absolutely love working with animals, but I’m currently considering going into publishing, elementary ed, or something similar. Most likely will major in English (with a minor - possibly relating to environmental studies or something similar) unless I decide to go the teaching route. Both schools have a really strong liberal arts education which is great, although it seems that both of them are most renowned for their business/science programs. Not sure if one would truly win out over the other in terms of what I’d like to study.

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Probably not a real frontrunner for that major, so if there isn’t something you really love about Wake, the less expensive route might be the way to go. Lots of people on the Wake waitlist will love you too! :slight_smile:

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Your concerns about Wake are valid. It’s an amazing school but the culture is pretty defined.
A larger university can be great for introverts. There are more opportunities for connection. It can also be nice to blend in sometimes.
You can’t go wrong with either choice. Congratulations!

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(Prefacing that I hope this doesn’t sound as bad as I think it does)

So given you’re lack of desire for Greek life and focus on English (publishing, education, etc.), my gut is that UNC would be a better fit. Wake is a phenomenal school, but it’s very pre-professional. The student body as a whole (as you pointed out) is more focused on finance, law, and pre-med, on average. For better or worse, the demographic that thrives best at Wake from my experience (lot of friends that went there) are more affluent kids that are looking for high-paying, traditional pre-professional jobs. If you’re thinking about the areas mentioned above in the English degree context, you’re going to (1) find more students like you at UNC given it’s bigger overall, and (2) find more students like you at UNC given it’s a state school that is not as focused on pre-professional pursuits (meaning there’s a mix of both pre-professional and more traditional degrees, such as elementary education). It also has a Journalism school, which fits the publishing angle. Part of the benefit of Wake (and what you’re paying for) are the connections to benefit you in your career in finance, or the one-on-one resources to get into med school. If you’re not as focused on those items (and don’t want Greek life), UNC is the better option.

Hope this all doesn’t come across too negatively in terms of the UNC rep. It’s an absolutely amazing school as well, and one that many of my family members have attended. It also places the students that do seek out pre-professional degrees very well. But the reality is that it’s a state school that has more overall diversity, both from socioeconomic and degree pursuit perspectives. Put another way, there are few people at Wake that would consider going into teaching, given the $200k+ price tag. While there aren’t a ton at UNC either (given this is one of the best state schools nationally and an awesome research university), it’s certainly a larger amount on a per capital and absolute basis.

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DD is a unicorn at Wake, a double BEM and English major. She’s experienced the best of both the preprofessional and liberal arts worlds. With Wake’s small class size and intense academic support, she’s had an experience that would be tough to replicate at many other institutions. She’ll end up in a business field where she can use her writing skills.

Wake’s Worrell House study abroad program in London is special, with a WFU professor on staff and teaching classes as well as locals who come to the house for instruction. Worrell house, a four story Edwardian pile, has it’s own classroom and library and is located in one of the toniest neighborhoods in Hampstead. The English department gets it more often than others. Students go to plays and museums weekly and are free to travel on weekends.

The English department at Wake Forest is solid. You have two great choices. Congrats!

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Can your family comfortably afford Wake (no hardship, no loans) as well as any grad school you may want to attend?

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@DukeAlum13
Thanks for the insight! I’ve definitely been considering this viewpoint a lot recently. A few of my classmates who are going to Wake next year have really been encouraging me to go because of the more tightly-knit community and academic support, but, unlike me, they’re majoring in those big pre-professional areas (bio, business, etc). I had a great conversation today with a current Wake senior who praised their English dept and all of the amazing experiences she’s had with classes/professors, but I’ve talked to several people who love the English dept. at UNC as well. If I were going pre-professional I think Wake might be the better choice for me, but considering my situation and all other factors I wouldn’t be surprised if I end up choosing UNC. Fortunately they’re both great schools (like others have mentioned) and I’m sure I’ll find my place at either : )

@marrast
That’s good to know! I’ve heard amazing things about the study abroad program at Wake and that’s something I think I’d be interested in, so I’ll definitely keep that info in mind. I agree that the experience at Wake is very unique and something that I would probably enjoy/benefit from, but it’s so difficult because both schools have big advantages/disadvantages! I really appreciate your sharing your daughter’s experience though.

@happy1
Yes, I’m very fortunate to be in a situation where my family can comfortably afford either, although if I go to Wake and later decide to go to grad school I may help to pay for that (not currently planning to do grad school but you never know!). My parents have been adamant that they don’t want me to decide based on cost which I’m so grateful for, but of course there are still many other things to consider : )

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UNC gives you more space to explore socially – bigger schools let you find your crew and, if need be, find a new one as you continue to develop new interests.

It’s a tremendous value and will give you everything you could want from the college experience for 1/3 the cost of Wake.

I say – Go Heels!

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UNC due to cost & social life.

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@AlmostThere2018 @Publisher Thanks for the feedback!

I’m having a difficult time turning down Wake because it’s a phenomenal school and a few of my classmates are really encouraging me to go, but I’m thinking that UNC may be the better choice. I just signed up for a virtual tour so hopefully that can shed even more light on the situation : )

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If UNC has resumed having in-person classes this semester, then you really should get on campus, see the students, and take a walking tour (even if it is only self-guided). This would allow you to have some sort of similar comparison with what you’ve actually experienced by walking around and seeing things at Wake.

Also, if you decide that you need to get a graduate degree, then whatever money you will have saved by attending UNC as an in-state student can be applied to to your graduate degree.

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We received a message Wake was open to visitors again May 1 so maybe UNC will be too.

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Unless there is money to burn, I can’t imagine a scenario where I would pay Wake Forest rates for any of the possible majors you listed, when you can do it for so much less at a highly ranked and respected in-state option, like UNC. Teachers in NC all take the same certification test - why would you pay upwards of $300,000 for it?

I hear what you’re saying about the differences in size, however there are many ways to make a big school feel smaller (joining an LLC, clubs, recreational sports, etc.) Once you pick a major and finish up gen ed requirements, classes will start to feel smaller as well (also many clubs to join within various majors). There are advantages to being at a smaller school, of course, but I don’t think it’s worth the difference in tuition.

My daughter was involved in Greek life at UNC, but it was not overbearing. They don’t even wear the traditional “Greek Letters” on their clothing, so it’s hard to even tell who is Greek and who isn’t. She also studied abroad through her major (business), received a scholarship to do so, and had an amazing time.

Estimated COA for Wake: $79,000/yr
Estimated COA for UNC: $24,000/yr

Both are great schools! You and whomever is writing the checks/taking out the loans will have to decide whether the price difference is worth it.

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This was my daughter’s experience there also.

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Know that Wake Forest has mandated the COVID booster. UNC to the best of my knowledge has not. I have a sophomore at Wake. They also mandated the flu shot this year which they had not done prior. Pfizer has said their new “omicron” vax will be available in March and it will be a 3 dose series. I fully expect based upon Wake’s most recent actions they will mandate the new ones despite young people being at near no risk from this virus. By then Omicron will have given way to another variant, and so many people have natural immunity. He would have made another choice if he knew… so how many COVID doses do you want to take?

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The OP would have chosen a college last year. Please do not re-open old threads. Closing.

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