<p>I’ve lived in NC for nearly 25 years though i didn’t grow up here so I’ll throw in my few cents. NC St actually has a nice science/engineering UG program though significantly less strong in other areas. It’s prestige level is definitely not in the same class as UW-M nationally though if you are planning on staying in the SE after graduation you may find the opposite to be the case particularly in the Animal Sciences area.</p>
<p>Duke and UNC are nicer on-campus than NC St, but Raleigh is a very nice city with a lot of the benefits of being centrally located within the state and the advantages of being the Capital (lots of money, surprisingly good Museums, excellent dining and shopping opportunities, worldclass airport centrally located). Chapel Hill is a village with a large beautiful very respected academic public university with major Basketball success. Durham is an old southern tobacco town in all senses of the word which just happens to be the home to a world class Duke University and Hospital (plus a legendary AAA Baseball team). Though Durham/CH/Raleigh constitute a triangle of sorts, there is absolutely no confusing which place you are in when you are there – they are on different planets. Cary acts like a housing magnet for all the professors, scientists, PHD/MD associated with the Med School/Hospitals, Research parks, and Universities – the % of post grad degrees is almost laughable at times. Raleigh is a great place to live and work after graduating, but it most definitely doesn’t feel like a college town.</p>
<p>My biggest issues with NC ST and from my experience is the almost pathologic inferiority complex they project from being overshadowed from UNC/Duke/Wake and now even Davidson. The Duke/UNC rivalry is sort of on equal footing on so many levels, but NCSt sometimes act like the adopted 3rd sibling who wasn’t very good at sports with the funny cowlick and lisp. This has honestly worsened over the last few years with Davidson’s basketball success and App St Three-peat in Football. The David Thompson and Jim Valvano successes are becoming way to distant memories for the alums. College Sports dominates the talk and academics are just something to do between games on all 3 campuses particularly during Basketball season. I have many friends who are affiliated with Nc St, but the truth sometimes has to be spoken even if it hurts some feelings.</p>