<p>So exactly 19 days after I made my decision to go to USC (southern California), I received the Carolina Covenant letter in the mail from North Carolina. WOW. Way to be 19 days too late. USC would be extremely cheap for us, probably around 500. But the thing is, it is so expensive to live out there, plus airfare would rack up the price a little bit. My mom called UNC without me knowing about it, and they said that I could still enroll as long as they had open Freshman spots. </p>
<p>As if I weren't already indecisive enough. I had just become comfortable with the idea of actually going to school at USC!! </p>
<p>Then UNC comes along, and offers to pay for absolutely everything. With a travel allowance, personal spending allowance, and books. Not to mention, a free laptop to boot. </p>
<p>I have heard that both schools are similar in academic quality, and alumni connections, but what do you all think: USC or UNC? I know that posting on a UNC board, I will definitely get a lot of biased feedback, but I would still like y'alls' opinions nonetheless. </p>
<p>The other major thing is the location. USC is somewhat in the ghetto, and Chapel Hill is supposed to be one of the best college towns ever. Another tempting aspect. </p>
<p>So what do you all think? As parents, students, prospective students, and alumni? </p>
<p>I made almost the exact same decision as you(although I was going to pay ~20000 at both places). I chose UNC. Here's why:</p>
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<li><p>I did not enjoy L.A. I really liked USC's campus, but the hustle and bustle of L.A. was just too fast-paced and annoying for me to handle. Compared to Chapel Hill, the differences were incredibly large.</p></li>
<li><p>I didn't want to stay in California. USC has an incredibly large alumni network on the west coast, but is not as strong on the east. I have been and plan to live on the east coast, so it was again in UNC's favor. </p></li>
<li><p>The people at USC struck me as preppy, which I didn't like. I thought the atmosphere and people at UNC were much more welcoming. </p></li>
<li><p>The little things seemed to all fall in UNC's favor. When I went there, the food seemed better, the dorms nicer(and air conditioned) and the entire area seemed bigger. That's not to say that USC's campus is crowded, but...they really don't have that much room to expand. With 32,000 students, it also kind of bummed me out that you were only guaranteed on-campus housing for 2 years.</p></li>
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<p>That's just my $.02. I liked both places, as I'm sure you do, but I hope you make the same decision as me and go to UNC.</p>
<p>I'm in the exact same boat right now, though I'd be paying probably 10 times as much if I chose to go to USC. If you don't mind me asking, where are you coming from (state)?</p>
<p>I lived in Northern California for most of my life (elementary school through high school) and now I live in the triangle area of North Carolina. When I lived in California I used to head down south quite often. To be honest, you can't lose with either place. Yes, you can end up in a bad area if you wander off the wrong way at USC, but the campus itself is amazing. The school is very nice. As for Chapel Hill, it is a great town as well. The main difference is that CH is a little slower and more relaxed than LA. </p>
<p>I know a girl who is out at UNC from Texas and she loves it. If you have any specific questions about either area let me know.</p>
<p>I too last year made the same decision! (Also from Texas) The cost for USC and UNC would've been about the same and the journalism programs at both schools are equally great. At the end of the day, UNC won hands down cause of these factors:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Atmosphere: I like the southern hospitality atmosphere that Chapel Hill brings. It's laidback, very down-to-earth, and friendly and I just couldn't see that in California. I was afraid LA would be a bit more fake than I wanted out of college. Coming from Texas, I thought it'd be similar to Texas... but it's not. It's better! I love the South haha</p></li>
<li><p>Location: One of the best college towns in the country versus a large dirty city? Chapel Hill wins hands down. The campus is so gorgeous (Not that USC's isn't...) & the sprawling quads all across campus sealed the deal. I like the idea that Chapel Hill, though it does has its own community outside UNC, basically caters to the college population. Plus, I've grown to absolutely adore North Carolina. What a beautiful state :)</p></li>
<li><p>School Spirit: True, USC does have the Trojan pride going on... but I don't think it even comes close to Carolina. UNC students are proud to say they're Tarheels... especially during basketball season. One of my best memories of this year was after the home game versus Clemson... the entire campus went crazy</p></li>
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<p>Good Luck! All I know is that I am SO glad I picked UNC... freshman year was the best year of my life. Carolina is amazing.</p>