<p>Hi. I'm a prospective premed who is debating whether or not he should apply to UNC. The reason why I probably will not apply to UNC is because if I were accepted into both, I would probably choose Rutgers over UNC. This is because...</p>
<p>PROS of Rutgers-
-NJ Native (cheaper tuition)
-Much easier to get into Rutgers than UNC as an OOS
-#2 Philosophy Program In Nation (where i want to major)
-Much more diversity in race and gender than UNC
-More chance of a scholarship</p>
<p>I don't know if I should bother applying to UNC through these reasons, despite the benefits I would receive for UNC:</p>
<p>PROS of UNC-
-Top 10 Medical School, Has a hospital on campus
-Basketball Obliterates
-Chapel Hill>New Brunswick</p>
<p>If you want to, tell me why I should apply to UNC. Thanks.</p>
<p>It is not a good idea to select an undergrad school based on the quality/rank of it’s graduate/professional schools especially Medical school. Admission to UNC med for an OOS student (even if a UNC grad) is more difficult than admission to UNC undergrad which we all know is extraordinarily difficult.</p>
<p>The only truly valid consideration you have listed under the PROS for UNC is that of Chapel Hill > New Brunswick. You haven’t listed anything about yourself so it’s hard to tell you if you should apply or not or if you would even be competitive.</p>
<p>UNC overall has a much stronger reputation than Rutgers overall. Are you applying to Rutgers College Ave campus ? Livingston? etc…there is a BIG difference.</p>
<p>I think a conclusion that I have come to about college is that you can be happy wherever you go. The difference between colleges is how hard you have to work to be happy. At UNC you have to make a conscious effort to be unhappy to be unhappy, while in other places you might have to work a little harder to be happy. At least that is what my experience has been, along with many of my friends. The question comes down to how much is that happiness worth to you.</p>
<p>As far as the med school thing goes, eadad is completely right. If you want to come to UNC for undergrad, come for the undergrad, not to try to get a leg up for grad school</p>
<p>I’m male. Compared with UNC’s 60/40 female-to-male ratio, Rutgers has almost a 50/50 ratio, and I would rather have a balanced ratio over one that favors one gender over the other.</p>
<p>Yes but even 50/50, Carolina girls> Jersey girls…NO Contest…:)…you need to visit so you can see for yourself…</p>
<p>Chapel Hill > New Brunswick… not even close here ( I started my college career at Rutgers College many years ago so I have first hand perspective)</p>
<p>Aside from the Old Main section of College Ave campus, UNC overall is far nicer campus</p>
<p>Chapel Hill weather…</p>
<p>They don’t call it “Blue Heaven” without a reason…</p>
<p>Overall love of the school/city…people never want to leave Chapel Hill and can’t wait to come back for visits…people can’t wait to leave New Brunswick…period…</p>
<p>But then there is the problem of racial diversity at UNC. I know that Rutgers has a nice mix of races (I am Asian, by the by), but UNC is mostly Caucasian. Can anyone from UNC report whether there is racial tension or an uninteresting group of students at UNC?</p>
<p>(Thanks to everyone for the comments so far, they make me want to apply to UNC after all!) :)</p>
<p>There isn’t a whole lot of racial tension that I’ve seen. Bottom line is if you are cool with people, people will be cool with you, no matter what ethnicity or race you claim.</p>
<p>And I’m not sure what you mean by uninteresting group of students. If someone bores you, by no means do you have to stay with them around here.</p>
<p>What I mean is besides the majority of white students, are the students homogenous in any other way? (only jocks, only nerds, only preppy kids or any other typical high school stereotype?)</p>
<p>UNC has a very diverse population if those are the criteria you are using; all the types you mention are certainly students there, as are a fairly healthy lesbian and gay community, kids from small towns and big cities not only in the US but from around the world. I’ve been on many campuses from coast to coast and can honestly say I have never seen a student body as overall happy and friendly as that at UNC. </p>
<p>My son’s group of friends crossed all lines and from what he tells me that isn’t unusual.</p>
<p>You are making a lot of statements that appear to be generalizations based on reading FAQs or stats which can’t really tell you about how a campus feels.</p>
<p>You need to visit, but only do it after you are accepted, if you are fortunate enough for that to happen. Otherwise, your level of disappointment will be even greater than it would be if you don’t.</p>
<p>bluewind, I’m Asian, and I have never felt any sort of racial tension. UNC is an incredible mix of diverse people and you can find your niche whatever it may be. If you want to, you can be friends with only other Asians. Or you could not talk to any Asians ever. Really it is up to you. There are athletes here, nerds here, people that never leave their rooms because they are playing Farmville or World of Warcraft here, and also people that have literally changed the world here. </p>
<p>I recommend that you visit and that you draw your own conclusions.</p>