I got accepted to UNC @ Chapel Hill and I’m from NC, so a pro is in-state tuition, but the location is so boring to me since I’ve grown up around here, and I just don’t feel like I would be happy there. However, the logical side of me knows that a degree from there would be very useful. I got into the dual-degree Enviro. Science & Journalism program where you can get your Masters in 5 years, but now I don’t even know if I’m interested in it.
My second option is Western Washington University. I know it’s not on the same level as UNC, but I got 2 scholarships there worth $10k per year, and I also got into the Honors College. The campus is absolutely beautiful and in a location I love, and the dorms are amazing. It is on the other side of the country, but I toured it last weekend and just adored it. However, I want to get two majors from here in something, and I feel like they won’t be as useful as the ones from UNC. I’m considering going to grad school anyways if I do graduate from here, and go somewhere more prestigious, but it would be costly. Also, I’m considering being a psychiatric nurse practitioner, but they only offer a pre-health care degree here.
Basically it’s almost an emotional vs. logic situation, but with some other factors thrown in. I’m super torn and have no idea what to do. If anyone has any advice, please let me know!
Growing up in Raleigh-Durham (lived there myself for a few years) and going to UNC are not the same thing. Since you asked for suggestions, I would say this – make sure your parents are on-board and plan on living on campus and coming home infrequently, even if you live close. If you have one, leave the car at home and enjoy your college life. UNC has a lot to offer, a majority of happy/loyal graduates, and is a great school (at in-state rates). Only you know your own priorities, but I would advise you to embrace being a Tarheel and start looking at all of the ways you are going to enjoy it.
I vote for Western Washington because my kid is on the waitlist for UNC and we need as many people as possible to drop out. Haha. Just kidding. Kind of.
UNC is great…but i’ve also spent an fair amount of time at WW and i have to admit that the campus is BEAUTIFUL, the outdoor sports are the best…the san juan islands…the puget sound…the skiing, the sailing, the snowboarding…those of you who are saying UNC 100%, well, I understand the allure of WW…i truly do.
That said, UNC has a stellar academic reputation…and if you’re planning to work on the east coast, this would be a much better choice.
You are all over the map: environmental science, journalism, nursing, maybe grad school. How easy is it to move around majors at UNC? Because it sounds like you’re going to. Nursing can be hard to get into at almost any school, but you should check to see what other majors are impacted at UNC.
Are these your only two choices? Western is a decent school for undecided kids. There are a lot of gen eds which will get you to sample a lot of different fields and help you decide. Most of the majors are reasonable to get into. It’s a also a practical school, lots of kids do internships, etc. But you would have to transfer if you wanted nursing.
I would say UNC and seriously think about taking a semester abroad. You can go to an exceptionally good local university and still have a chance to see part of the world. The in-state tuition might help you to save some money that can increase opportunities in many areas (graduate school, or flights for a semester in Paris or Montreal, or ???).
The airplane flights to western Washington will get a bit old, particularly to get to a university that is not quite as good as the one that is closer to home. Constant rain in December through February might get old also.
Also note that once you are on-campus at UNC it will be like a different world compared to living at home. You will wake up in a dorm surrounded by other students, you will decide when to study and when to have fun with friends and when to eat and when to sleep. If something goes wrong (a bad breakup or the flu or whatever) and you need help from home this will be available, but if you want to be an adult studying on your own away from home this will be what you do day to day. Even if your family is only 2 miles away, being on-campus will be an adventure, and a great one at UNC.
How much money are we talking about?
Whats the difference in net cost (direct billable cost minus your scholarships)?
How would you pay for that difference?
Are your parents 100% onboard with your living on campus at unc?
@MYOS1634 - There’s not much difference in the two schools, it’s about $25,000 or a little less, including my scholarships at WWU. My parents are onboard about me living on campus. They’re pretty accepting of whatever I choose to do.
