The EC Scholar program is the most prestigious scholarship at ECU that provides about 56k for 4 years as well as research, internship and leadership opportunities and 5k for study abroad. (many people do not know what it is)
http://www.ecu.edu/cs-acad/ecscholars/
While Honors Carolina is very prestigious and also provides many opportunities.
http://honorscarolina.unc.edu/
Need to make my decision very soon, so any advice or comments are appreciated!
the education and future opportunities that you will benefit from as a UNC student are definitely better than anything that you could get from ECU. however, if the financial aspect is a significant factor for your family, ECU might be a better option. you probably have already, but I suggest visiting both campuses and seeing which feels better as the campus cultures at both schools are very different. good luck as you make your decision!
Thank you! Fortunately, the money will not make a difference in my decision.
I have visited both campuses several times and the reason this decision is so hard for me is because I did not feel stronger about one over the other. I definitely think that the campus, location and food options are better at UNC; however, I feel that the opportunities I will be given at ECU outweigh those I could have at chapel hill. For example, I feel like it will be much easier to ask for a recommendation or have the opportunity to do certain research at ECU. But, at the same time, the honors college is very prestigious and I will be in a very driven and intellectual atmosphere.
As one of the elite public national universities in the country (#5), UNC has considerably stronger overall academics than ECU. A degree from UNC will open doors for you with employers nationwide. ECU is a second tier university, not even ranked in the top 200 nationally. A degree from ECU won’t carry much weight outside of NC, nor all that much in NC, for that matter. UNC has better academics, better sports, better social/cultural life etcetera. From a career standpoint, UNC is definitely the way to go, especially considering your acceptance into Honors Carolina and the fact that money won’t make a difference in your decision. I most strongly recommend UNC.
The opportunities you’ll have at UNC as a whole, and as a Carolina Scholars, will be BETTER than those you’ll have as a ECU Scholar. It’s just not comparable. UNC, being the flagship, gets the best funding (even when there are funding cuts), more opportunites for research, the most employers coming to recruiting fairs, etc.
UNC is considered one of the few “public Ivies” in the country - the establishment of the research triangle and visionary funding for a great public university system coupled with research propped up NC from a poor, backwater State in the 1950s to a relocating-to-it-from-CA desirable, forward-thinking, fairly rich State with a lot of economic growth - the university system as a whole is excellent in that it serves all tiers of the state’s students, UNC serving the cream of the crop, NCSU/App/UNCW/UNCA serving very good students, and the other campuses serving various levels of motivation or ability as well as local communities.
UNC Chapel Hill has a LOT of pull nationally (and, frankly, if anyone’s heard of ECU, it’s because of some “party school” list.) Really, don’t pass up that opportunity!
I’m not an education snob. I don’t think students should choose their schools based on rankings, and I believe there are plenty of great opportunities at many universities. The EC Scholars program is a good opportunity.
All that being said, please think long and hard before you turn down Honors Carolina for ECU. I agree with MYOS. I would jump at UNC and the honors program there.
I live in North Carolina and for many people I know the perception of ECU is the state party school. Not saying that its a bad school, but its often a safety for those applying to the tier two UNC System schools (UNCW, App State, UNCA). If I were you, I would pick UNC in a heart beat. Especially with honors carolina which would allow you to get some of the personal attention you want.
Thank you all so much for your advice!! I just decided on honors Carolina. 
And I look forward to being a Tar-Heel next Fall!
Congratulations! You made the wisest choice!
Congratulations!
How did your decision work out for you? What did Honors Carolina offer you in terms of opportunities?
I sent you a message! But overall, I really like UNC. However, I think it’s important to decide which of these two schools to attend based on your major course of study
ex. business - definitely UNC
but premed, maybe ECU
@guacislife Thanks for checking back, I am glad you like UNC. I would love to hear what you think of Honors UNC now what you have been there for a few years, I hear mixed reviews.