<p>Our DS took UMDCP over UNCCH for many reasons.</p>
<p>I understand you want to go to grad school, but who knows in 4 yrs if you say ENOUGH! I am going to work for a couple of yrs because I am tired of hitting the books. </p>
<p>There is no denying that UNCCH academically is a higher ranked university than UMDCP. HOWEVER, let’s look at the major or field of interest. NASA Goddard has many UMDCP interns because it is down the road from the university. UNCCH has many IT interns because of RTP.</p>
<p>What if you decide that you get there and do a 180 turn regarding your major. Will both have the same opportunities for you? Gemstone is basically an undergrad thesis program. People are correct in stating that it is a resume builder for grad or entry level jobs after college. They are also correct if you don’t want to work in a group you are going to hate it. GO BACK TO THE APPLICATION THEY ASKED THAT, IF YOU SAID NO ON THE APP YOU WERE NOT INVITED TO GEMSTONE.</p>
<p>As far as UVA, it is also a great school, and even higher ranking than UNCCH. </p>
<p>I lived in NC for 8 out of the past 15 yrs (3 different times), I can tell you that just like UMDCP, there are people who don’t like UNCCH. I am getting the feeling that UNCCH appeals more to you because it is OOS than because of the school. That is a respectable honest reason. You want to fly on your own wings and have independence, but if you feel that you are throwing UMDCP away because the folks are too clingy…just realize I love our DS, but 30 minutes after he is in the house, I am as anxious as he is for him to return 
. I am pretty sure every parent on here would tell you the same, you can live 15 minutes down the road, but truthfully we will not be showing up at your dorm on Saturday morning to go out for breakfast!</p>
<p>Finally, I think UNCCH and UMDCP both have beautiful campuses, but they look different. UMDCP is federalist, UNCCH is Jeffersonian (old english…and I like the look more). The one negative I have for UNCCH is that unlike UMDCP without a car you are kind of stuck there. UMDCP has the metro that can take you anywhere. Raleigh/Cary is a “new city” and it costs money to do anything, DC can you spend the whole day there without spending a dime.</p>