Need some suggestions for colleges that could suit me

College Search & Selection
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@rickle1 No offense if you are from the south, but I heard some schools in the south are quite racist toward blacks and asians. I’ve heard incidents of racial hate taking place in colleges like Vanderbilt. Since you recommended UNC CH to me, would this college be considered better in terms of racial issues compared to other schools?

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UNC CH is a world class research university and highly regarded in many fields. I don’t know the numbers, (easily found on their website) but they attract students from all over the US and the world (even though legislature requires undergrad to hold 82% of seats for NC residents). Chapel Hill itself would be considered a forward thinking community and the local area comprised of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill is vibrant and transient. Known as the Triangle Research area, it is a major hub for the biotech community and attracts top scientists from all over the world. Due to this, many “residents” are transplants from other places so there is a wide variety of people and culture. It’s also a beautiful part of the country.

FYI - I’m not a southerner. Although I’ve lived in Tampa (which has more of a midwest feel), FL for 24 yrs, I was born in NY, lived in DC and San Fran and spent my adolescence in Boston. Moving from Boston in 1993, I was told (many times) how difficult it would be to make it in the south (I own a business). Haven’t found that to be the case at all! Are there idiots down here? Sure. Also a lot (the vast majority) of great people. Just like everywhere else.

In another post I commented you want to consider three variables surrounding this topic:

  1. The students - intelligent, hard working (highly selective school) representing virtually all 50 states and countless countries (yes, lots of NC residents but both Charlotte and the Research Triangle are MAJOR high end employment centers - Charlotte is second in banking in US. This means LOTS of good paying jobs which means LOTS of educated people, many of which have lived in many places building their careers.
  2. The staff - Professors are from everywhere. Staff of the university are locals and in my experience quite friendly (NC in general)
  3. The local community (already covered above)