<p>I've heard that in state students generally have their group of core friends from high school, and that it's hard for out-of-staters to meet new people. anyone heard anything of the sort?</p>
<p>My son is a freshman at UNC and an out of stater. From what he has said that couldn't be farther from the truth. He has a very large circle of friends that include both in and out of state students many of whom he met at summer orientation and a lot of others from classes.</p>
<p>It is true that people bring their friends from high school. It's not really a problem, though. Tar heels are usually very friendly (unless you're a Duke fan, perhaps), and I don't think it's too hard for out-of-state students to make friends.</p>
<p>Why do I keep hearing this over and over. Is regional diversity a problem at UNC, with only 18% of the students from out-of-state? Out of 3400 freshmen, about 600 of them are from other states. And then I have heard tales that many of these 600 are athletic recruits, is that true, or verifiable?
Does anyone have any idea about the % of out-of-state students at other top State Schools like U.Michigan, UVA etc.?</p>
<p>Chocoholic: I don't think diversity is a problem, nor have I heard that out-of-state students have trouble making friends. And plenty of in-state students who go there want to meet new people, too, and not just hang out with the kids from their high school. I've actually never heard that statistic you quote about all the athletic recruits. I don't know. I believe UVA takes about 28% from out-of-state, but don't know about the others state schools.</p>
<p>That's good to hear, Jack. My child has no problem making friends, but when I hear other people on these threads talk about 'groups of in-state students' coming in already set in a friendship, it concerns me. But I guess in a school of UNC's size and caliber, one should have plenty to choose from.
By the way, is your child any closer to making a decision on UNC? Or are you waiting for other results to come in? (Like a lot of others)</p>
<p>Chocoholic: Initially, my child didn't want to go there, simply because of the familiarity and all the students she knows who are already there, and who will be going in the fall. Like a lot of other students, I'm sure, she wanted to meet new people and go somewhere a bit more "foreign." But I have to say, at this point, UNC has been very impressive--from their information sessions, to the tour, from the programs they offer, to the letters she's received from them, and the phone calls she's made. And being invited into the Honors Program is a big plus. She also recently received a letter from them last week, simply stating how much they'd love to have her there. Very nice letter, seemingly out of the blue, especially when you consider how big the school is and how many applications/students they're dealing with right now. Also a real boost to receive some recognition during this long long wait for April 1. I also have never heard any student say, at any time, that he/she was unhappy at UNC. Mostly, we know students who transfer out of their '1st choice' at the end of their freshman year to attend UNC. She also recently got early notification of acceptance into another school, out of state, which appeals to her very much (on paper)--though we haven't actually seen it, nor did she ever have an interview. We're going up in April for their few days when they show students around. She's also going to go to 'Explore Carolina.' I think these visits for accepted students will be really useful...so one can hopefully make an informed decision! There are also a couple of other schools at the top of her list, one in particular, she really really likes. So we'll see. At this point, though, her #1 choice, way back in the fall, is not anymore. Interesting how events unfold in a short few months, huh?</p>
<p>Carolina's administration is wrestling with the 18% out of state cap that has been imposed on them by the state legislature. They are trying to take "baby steps" to increase the out of state enrollment with the first step they are trying for at 22%.</p>
<p>Both UVA and U Mich have higher out of state percentages and the folks at UNC fear that they might be losing some of their top in state candidates to schools like UVA because of this "perceived" lack of diversity. This all goes back to the OP's question and the myth that is being spread and seems to be growing about UNC being an extension of high school. There was a poster here last year, "Slayer" who voiced many of the same concerns and from the few posts I've seen from her this year, she seems to be really happy at UNC and has found that you can make your time at UNC anything you want to it to be. </p>
<p>There are a number of reasons they'd like to grow the out of state percentage not the least of which is increased revenues. Interestingly, we were told at Explore Carolina and also at Orientation that a large percentage of the campus leaders have historically been out of staters who, for whatever reason tend to get more involved in things as a whole. They also told us that something like 4 or 5 of the last 6 or 7 student body presidents have been out of state students as well. There are active out of state student and parents associations that help with things like transportation to and from the airport for fall break and Thanksgiving and have regularly scheduled social functions....though I really don't think that most people have any trouble finding things to do.</p>
<p>Like Jack, we were very impressed with the personal touch that everyone we came into contact with displayed. Phone calls and emails were returned promptly and they seemed to bend over backwards to accomodate. There were a number of "elite" private schools we were also in contact with at the time that could have taken a few lessons from the UNC staff as a whole. I was honestly amazed at the level of personal attention coming from a larger public school, all through the process up to and including orientation. Even now, they are very timely with responses to any questions.</p>
<p>It is an incredibly friendly place. Our impressions when we visited were that we had never seen so many students smiling and having a good time anywhere we looked and that everyone seemed to love being at UNC and loved Chapel Hill. With his first year almost behind him (he told us last week that he couldn't believe that there were only 7 weeks left in his freshman year!) I can tell you that he has said that he hasn't met a person yet that he hasn't liked, that he is "happier than I have ever been in my life" and has absolutley no regrets about turning down what others might consider more elite or prestigious schools to attend UNC. He works hard (he's in his first ORGO class right now) but also is having an incredible undergraduate experience.</p>
<p>Can I have a "do over?"</p>
<p>Thank you eadad and Jack for all the positive information. I have found the UNC thread to be kind of 'asleep' compared to the other school threads. Very disappointing. Well, we will also be going in March to be impressed.
Jack, we did a college trip last year, D saw 4 schools she loved, applied to them, and now whilst waiting their April response, has totally lost interest in all of them. Others came along, more exciting/interesting, and oddly enough, places we have not visited. So a bit of travel is in the works.</p>
<p>A Student's Point of View:</p>
<p>I have quite a few friends who attend UNC. They vary from freshmen to a few seniors and they all have the same thing to say:
-First semester is rough b/c you have to adjust to the size of the school, but it gets better.
-Find an organization that fits you and join. It's a great way to meet new people.
-Try to get a dorm in South Campus, where most freshmen stay
-It is improtant to go out of your way to meet the professors and get to know them on a more personal level. </p>
<p>Its cool to see that so many parents are so closely involved in their kid's decision process! As a senior this year its been really tough making decisions, since these are the first "big" choices we have to make. Having great parents to help me out is a BIG plus and although we may never say it, THANK YOU...</p>
<p>Chocoholic: Yes, I suspect the 'sleepiness' of the UNC thread, which I've noticed too, might possibly mean that the students applying to UNC aren't as angst-ridden as all those other students! Honestly. Some of the other postings on other school threads just seem a bit neurotic to me...but maybe that's just me. I do find it fascinating,though, how that interest in certain schools changes over the course of the year....which certainly supports those people who are against ED. </p>
<p>nckid101: Thanks for your comments; that's very nice of you.</p>
<p>first off, the thing about in state and high school friends staying in a close group is true, but like for the first week or 2, then you just kinda meet other people and just see each other as you walk to class or eat at lenior.</p>
<p>also this is pretty normal for the board at this time of year, wait til June when C-tops starts then this board goes crazy with "what c-tops like" or "what dorm are you living in" and etc</p>