<p>Before I say anything, I hope that this thread can serve as a helpful discussion for out-of-state students that have been admitted to UNC. I absolutely loved UNC when I visited, and, between long talks with current UNC students and doing some personal research, I'm really starting to lean toward the school for its academics and extracurricular opportunities. Above all, I feel that I would be happy at UNC. Coming from a school (one that I love, regardless) that is extremely competitive and academically cutthroat, I'm glad to know that I can continue to pursue my intense intellectual and education passions at UNC in a more relaxed and down to earth environment.</p>
<p>Now, that said, I have a few questions, a few of which other OOS applicants may have:</p>
<p>I understand that the acceptance rate for OOS students is quite low at UNC; should I consider this as a factor that might contribute to my desire to go to UNC? Are out-of-state students treated much differently (socially speaking)?</p>
<p>If I'm used to smaller, discussion based classes (20 students at most), should I still go for the larger, lecture-based classes, or should I try for smaller classes? If so, what's the best way to approach getting into the smaller classes?</p>
<p>Despite the mixed reviews I've heard about Granville Towers, several of my friends have told me that it's a great experience. I'd definitely consider GT, and I'm particularly inclined to try living on one of the academic floors. Are the kids on that floor super studious, or are they still up for chilling, gaming, etc.?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance for any insight, especially from current UNC students or alums.</p>
<p>They certainly aren’t social outcasts, but OOSers generally don’t know a bunch of people going to UNC, so there might be a difference initially. Its negligible later on.</p>
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<p>You won’t have a choice here. A lot of the intro classes that you have to take (to fulfill major requirements, etc.) have hundreds of students. As for getting into smaller classes, ConnectCarolina tells you how many students each class has, so you can register for the smaller ones, but I don’t know why you’d do this. Step out of your comfort zone.</p>
<p>If you are coming from Phillips, my guess is that you will also bring a good number of AP credit hours with you. This should help to eliminate a number of entry level bigger classes.</p>
<p>My son graduated from a day school that is academically like Phillips in a class of 82 and also was used to very small classes. He also entered with 43 AP credits and was technically a sophomore by his second semester. In his four years at UNC he had three classes with more than 100 students and one was a class he WANTED to take- The History of Rock which was at that time taught by a legendary professor who had frequent big time guests from the “classic rock” world.</p>
<p>There’s a very good OOS student association that has its first meeting during the new student orientation period. On the whole I think you will find all Carolina students to be extremely friendly and welcoming. Initially some, and I emphasize some, in state students will choose to remain within their built in safety net but that will not be the case for the majority of students. </p>
<p>I know that within days of his arrival at UNC we were hearing about a quickly growing wide circle of friends both in state and OOS…he actually met his two best friends -one at CTOPS and the other the first day or so of WOW which was the week that new students get to preview all that Carolina has to offer.</p>
<p>I honestly think that not only do you have nothing to fear but also that you have no idea about the incredible journey that is about to begin. UNC is a special place-some don’t figure that out until they get to grad school or out in the real world and hear what other schools were like. Those that do “get it” and embrace it to the fullest will have the best four years of their lives.</p>
<p>They don’t call it “Blue Heaven” without good reason. Welcome to the Hill.</p>
<p>I would caution you here – there are very few classes at UNC (even upper-division ones) that are 20 students or fewer. Even the discussion sections attached to large lecture courses are typically 25 students.</p>
<p>^ That can also be major dependent. I know for a fact that my son had a number of upper division classes that were around ten-fifteen students in one of his majors and one class was really small…eight students if I remember correctly.</p>
<p>What you said will certainly be true in the “big” majors but 20 or so is still reasonable…If the material is interesting and the prof is really engaging it can actually be a good thing because regardless of class size, some people choose not to contribute much and in a small group it can really limit discussion.</p>
<p>As to how to “manage” getting smaller classes, first year seminars are small and generally taught by well know, well regarded faculty…and they can help fulfill your required classes.</p>
<p>But the flipside of some people not contributing much is that there will be some loudmouths too. In a larger class, there will be more loudmouths, who are thus likely to dominate the field more.</p>
<p>Honestly, I do think classes are too big at UNCCH. When the meetings are only 50 minutes, anything more than 10 people will mean less than 5 minutes of speaking time per person.</p>
<p>I think it’s fair to say that if class size is a major concern, then any public university is going to lose points for that.</p>