<p>No invite to honors at UNC, but invite to honors at Virginia Tech, as well as invite to their scholarship weekend for housing and honors money as well. Any tips as to deciding which one to pick? I'm extremely interested in undergrad research and studying abroad, if that helps any.</p>
<p>Not making Honors at UNC should not be a deal breaker because you can always reapply for sophomore year. Also ANYONE can graduate with Honors…it requires a thesis…so just being in Honors does not mean you will graduate with Honors.</p>
<p>UNC has one of the highest percentage of students that study abroad of any school in the country. We know one girl who had been on every continent but Antarctica in her study abroad programs both during the school year and during her summers. She took an extra year to graduate due to her extensive travel but she is an example of the extreme that can be done.</p>
<p>Research opportunities are available as early as freshman year.</p>
<p>Are you IS or OOS? That might make a difference financially but otherwise, UNC is definitely better in terms of research and study abroad as eadad already alluded to. Unless you want to go into engineering of some sort. </p>
<p>As far as Honors, that really shouldn’t be a deal breaker. I wasn’t accepted into the Honors program when I was accepted, and I was more than a little annoyed (2360 SAT, National Merit Scholar, etc). I ended up coming to UNC and I have no regrets. I haven’t done any undergrad research yet, but a lot of my friends have. I’m also traveling abroad this summer and fall, so I can speak for the studying abroad.</p>
<p>Honors invites aren’t sent out until AFTER decisions as far as I know. Scholarship invites were already sent out, but if you are invited to the Honors program solely, you won’t find out until later.</p>
<p>I’m OOS for UNC, IS for Tech…Tech’s basically said “You’re our guy”, so I guess my ego is more partial to Tech because they’re saying that I’m one of if not the top applicant this year. You think that UNC will be willing to facilitate those same opportunities though from the sounds of it yes?</p>
<p>If you can, put your ego aside and look at the facts. UNC is a much more highly regarded school than Tech. If $$$ isn’t an issue the decision should be easy. If $$$ is an issue the answer is far less clear cut.</p>
<p>FWIW…A degree from UNC carries more weight in the employment world and with graduate and professional schools especially when it’s known that you got in as an OOS student.</p>
<p>$$$ is part of the issue (in the minds of my parents)…if the aid doesn’t come through they say no regardless. I visit UNC on the 19th so we’ll see what happens then I guess.</p>
<p>Again, the opportunities for undergraduate research and study abroad are readily available to everyone at UNC. Visiting UNC should give you a better feel for the school and it can help you decide.</p>
<p>Just want to point out that UNC has the most students study abroad at a public school, not in general. But with that being said I loved my abroad experience. If you’re at all interested in Asia, after freshmen year there’s a program that sends around 20 students for free all around SE asia. There’s also the Philips Ambassador Scholarship, of which they give sixty out a year.</p>
<p>If you want to have your own academic experience over the summer there’s the SURF scholarship, and the Burch.</p>
<p>Google all of those!</p>
<p>Just visited UNC this weekend and LOVED most of it; they’re a little lacking in the engineering department (wanted to combine engineering and religious studies), and my parents have essentially said no because of financial aid. Do you have any suggestions in that aspect of it?</p>
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<p>Actually, I think that Tufts lays claim to that; 60%+ of the junior class studies abroad–may have something to do with the six semester foreign language requirement and the spectre of the Tufts school of International Relations.</p>
<p>And as an aside, I favor UNC @ Chapel Hill over Virginia Tech. Know a few really (!) talented kids, there, who got that full-ride scholarship, who are very, very happy, there.</p>
<p>That’s just fine, but I don’t really have an option unless I figure out this financial situation. Any suggestions?</p>
<p>UNC meets 100% of demonstrated financial need, and while Tech may be cheaper now, the prestige from an UNC degree will eventually be worth more to you in the long run when it comes to admission to grad. school and employment as eadad notes.</p>
<p>Demonstrated financial need simply means tuition minus EFC, which just isn’t enough. I’m going into the ministry and so my income won’t support massive amounts of debt exiting college.</p>
<p>Good for you, indecisivealways, for keeping a level head and approaching your future with sense and reason. Those who choose a college without regard to future earning potential vs. educational debt load will carry a burden deep into their adulthood that far outweighs the cachet and prestige of the diploma hanging over their desk. </p>
<p>And there are those who think nothing of their parents foregoing retirement funding so that they can attend the college of their choice. I hope those kids are ready, willing and able to help support and possibly even house those selfless parents when/if the time comes.</p>
<p>SWHarborfan</p>
<p>Please note what I ACTUALLY said: "UNC has *one of *the highest percentage of students that study abroad of any school in the country. "</p>
<p>I never said it had the highest percentage.</p>
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<p>right, you are!</p>