<p>I'm an Atlanta resident who only has a few days to pick between my final two schools, which are UGA Honors and UNC Chapel Hill. I visited both in the last week, and up until today was leaning Chapel Hill even though it is $45,000 (no finaid). The campus atmosphere feels much more like a traditional college campus, and is overall much prettier and feels more academically serious than UGA. However, given my family's financial situation, I would spend most of my summers working a lot in Atlanta, and would have limited opportunities to study abroad and such. </p>
<p>UGA, on the other hand, is obviously much more southern and relaxed. However, it does have many pros. The Honors program would allow me to take many smaller classes, stay in the honors dorm, and allow me to connect more with my professors. Additionally, I would pay less than 10k per year with the HOPE + Zell Miller scholarships, and could spend my summers much more how I would like to, could study abroad more, and wouldn't feel like my parents would be holding that 180k price tag after I graduate.</p>
<p>So basically what it comes down to is...</p>
<p>UGA: Basically limitless academic experience, that is close to home with a less appealing social scene...</p>
<p>OR </p>
<p>UNC: Classic, more prestigious college experience that I'd feel more comfortable at but would limit my opportunities.</p>
<p>My son had the same decision, UNC-CH Honors w/o aide or UGA Honors with Zell and Presidential. He chose UGA and couldn’t be happier. He has worked hard at being active and involved on campus, and has had some amazing classes and professors, as well. The campus is just as beautiful as UNC’s, which happens to be my alma mater. I don’t think any of us would consider UGA as a " less appealing social scene."<br>
I would ask him to answer this, but he is writing papers and getting ready for exams.</p>
<p>Seems like UGA will give you more for your money. The aesthetics of the campus will only matter for the first few days of being there. The name and rank of the school will matter very little compared to what you actually do at the school, and it sounds like UGA can do more for you than UNC.</p>
<p>If money were no object, I would say go to UNC. However, given the financial stress going to UNC would put you and your family under, I don’t think the prestige of UNC would be worth it. I do not think that a UNC-CH degree is worth having your parents go into $180K worth of debt. UGA is a fine school and being in the Honors Program is even better. Keep in mind, if 2 years from now if you really have your heart set on UNC and if finances change for the better, you might want to transfer. My guess is, though, that you will love UGA and that the honors program will give you the academic challenges you are looking for. </p>
<p>Okay seriously I always advise people if you have any options AT ALL other than UGA, PICK THE OTHER OPTION!! Seriously, unless you are some kind of puritan saint who doesn’t plan on having a single sip of alcohol until you’re 21 (and even then you’ve gotta be careful at this school) DO NOT COME HERE!! The cops are downright predatory. They will approach and basically force you to answer a bunch of questions, then handcuff you and place you arrest because they claim your breath ‘smells like alcohol’. You can be as smart and careful as you want, but you still run a huge risk of being caught. And UGA cops never give warnings or citations. THEY TAKE YOU STRAIGHT TO JAIL.</p>