Hey everybody! Thank y’all all so much for reading this because I really need some advice!
As a NC gal for the past 17 years, I have never gone too far outside my home state, so I only applied to in state colleges, and one out of state college.
My acceptances are to Clemson, East Carolina University-Honors College, NC State, UNCC, and UNCW. I am on the waiting list for UNC Chapel Hill.
Right now, I am leaning towards the ECU Honors College and Clemson.
For some background, I currently have a 4. 32 weighted GPA and a 3. 95 unweighted GPA (thanks a lot to the 89 I got in pre-calc ): ) at my high school. I am in the top 8% of my class (rank 25 out of 296) and I want to go to medical school to be a doctor after graduating college. I would like to go to a smallish or middle-sized school that is not too far from home, but also far enough that I am spaced away enough that I can be independent. I would like to go to school with people I know, but a fresh start is also a great option. And, my mother is a safety engineer so safety is a BIG priority to both her and I.
My current problem is that I have not been able to go to but one of my admitted student days thanks to COVID-19. I would like some insight from those of y’all who have made this decision, or know people who attend these colleges, or those of y’all who have kids that have made this decision also.
Below is my pros and cons list:
CLEMSON
Pros: best and most favorite campus, ranked as the safest campus in the entire country (BIG plus), Tiger Family (family atmosphere), good network and connections for the workforce after graduation, great biology program, recommended by one of my doctor friends, not too far (2.5 hrs), perfect size school, and obviously amazing sports.
Cons: Out-of-state tuition, kind of in the middle of nowhere, seems like there’s not a lot to do based on the admitted students day, and I don’t know anyone going there.
EAST CAROLINA-HONORS COLLEGE
Pros: Lots of scholarships, newest facilities and dorms, small class size on a big campus, career based, first dibs on classes and such via the Honors College, internships/opportunities, least expensive, and cousins live somewhat close (but keep in mind they are much younger than me; however, fam is fam), also my mom and a family friend attended and loved it.
Cons: Party School reputation (will this affect medical school acceptance?), ex-BFFS are attending (not Honors College but the university itself), far away (3ish hrs), been told I’m “limiting” myself by going there, and a little lack of safety.
NC STATE
Pros: Lots to do, Research Triangle, affordable state school, opportunity for bio-med engineering (if I decided I wanted to go into that instead), many of my friends are going there, my dad went there and loved it, and it’s not too far (2.5 hrs).
Cons: No huge focus on what I want to do for my career, more engineering-based school (obviously I am more biological sciences-based), largest school population in the state (too big?), and I was not accepted in early admission but was accepted when deferred to general admission.
UNCW
Pros: Affordable in-state tuition, lovely location with beach, biology and marine biology focus, smaller school, one friend attending.
Cons: Seems smaller than it is, no sports, farthest away (3.5 hours), and have not heard good experiences from some family friends.
UNCC
Pros: Affordable in-state, really close to home (30 minutes), mom used to work here so I am familiar with the campus.
Cons: Least safe option (as I said earlier, safety is very important to my mom and I, and we are apprehensive after the incident here last year), really close to home, little focus on what I want to go into for my career, and I don’t get along with some people I know that go there.
Disclaimer: So sorry for making you all read so much!! Now that you have read the pros and cons, I want to shed a little light on some of my circumstances- my parents say money isn’t too much of a problem, but it is still a consideration; however, scholarships are obviously an option. Also, as I said before, I’d like to go to a mid-size school, and my favorite overall campus is Clemson, but, logistics wise, I will have the best advantages at the ECU Honors College. I know y’all cannot make this decision for me, but any advice would help!