<p>My daughter is in the middle of trying to decide what college she wants to attend from a selection of Carolina and the other 4 she applied to and was accepted. As a mother, I'd like to hear from all you other Carolina lovers and just what you think is so special about the college. I've been on visitor's day and fell in love with it then, but that was just one day. I'd like to hear everything I can about the college.</p>
<p>Now, this is just for ME, my daughter will have her own connections and ways to find out more, but I'd like to ask you all.</p>
<p>i dont go to carolina, but i live in CH, and i like CH.<br>
its a sports town. you got athletic and academic excellence in a range of sports/dept.<br>
weather is amazing. always blue skies.<br>
it's got this cool feeling that you know everyone--when that's really impossible since there are tens of thousands of people.<br>
its a good place for ppl who like the outdoors--good bus sys, bike paths, env. friendly atmosphere.
i live CH cuase its a liberal place--"left from center, right at home". like if a book is banned in most HS across the country, schools in CH read it. but even though CH is pretty liberal, i'd say most people are pretty open to new/extreme ideas.</p>
<p>I'm a current junior here and I love it! The enthusiasm of the other students on campus about all things Carolina is something that will draw you in from day one (if you aren't already a Tar Heel when the acceptance come) whether you're cheering on the Heels or hanging out in the pit or around the dorm. We may not have a winning football team, but the first football game in a sea of Carolina blue is an amazing sight and will really make you feel like you are a Tar Heel at last, from the pregame festivities all the way to the Alma Mater, win or lose. Nothing here ever seems to be done half-heartedly...we're Tar Heels and what we go after we aim to acheive and do our best at it. The numerous student groups on campus, ranging from religious to academic to athletic also play a great role in helping you to fit in and jump right in to being an active member of the student body, so you're never just that random little freshman that gets lost in the shuffle. So what if the school's kinda large...you can, to me at least, always make it smaller by joining organizations, but if you're on a tiny campus and want to blend in and hide away there isn't as much of a chance to do so. A walk down to class is always filled with passing friends you've met along the way, so no matter how many students there are, you will feel like you belong, and know there's someone else out there like you. The peole I've met and the passion they have about Carolina/the Heels/their major are a defining point of what Carolina is, to me. The classes are hard, but at the same time you also know the prestige that comes with a degree from UNC. It's nice knowing that everyone's heard of Carolina, so when you enter the real world someday everyone will know that you have a good, quality education and didn't go to some little random school they'll be googling to see if it exists. It's also nice to know that UNC is older and has a strong alumni backing, as many alumni as you can see around campus, you know that you're a part of something special, the Carolina family...once a Tar Heel, always a Tar Heel! </p>
<p>So yeah, the people and the passion are to me the best parts of Carolina (the campus is beautiful too---see it on a Spring day, and you'll really believe this is the Southern part of Heaven)</p>
<p>Quality of education for the price. I'm in-state and if/when I attend (transfer applicant, cross your fingers) I'll be paying a tenth of some of the schools that are half as good. I guess this is not something your daughter is concerned with though. :)</p>
<p>Things I've heard my daughter say (this is her first year at UNC): "I never have problems finding someone to eat with. I just go to the dining hall and there's someone there"; "I can't believe how good Prof. ____ is -- it comes out in bit and pieces all the time if you are paying attention -- his class is so awesome"; "I can't believe how smart my professors are -- I mean, they are really really smart"; I LOVE my ____ teacher -- she is so good -- this is the best class ever." And "he's a grad student (for a math class, a small one) but he's really, really nice and he really knows his stuff"; "I am so lucky to be at this college -- you would not believe the stuff they have in the library here." (yes, she actually said that last one!) </p>
<p>She loves academics, but she definitely knows how to have fun. She goes out at least once on the weekends, usually on Friday night, and then sleeps in Saturdays. She gets up pretty early on Sundays and studies most of the day. She is extremely well-informed about the local music scene. She has two volunteer things she does (with Campus Y). She has met in-state and out-of-state friends and makes no distinctions (she's OOS). She's been to plenty of parties, events, plays, etc. </p>
<p>She says it's a little preppy now and then (for her), and it's just a little too "pretty" now and then(!). We're major foodies, and she's not overwhelmed with the food (but there's always the Weaver Street Market). </p>
<p>She just really loves it. Her voice is filled with excitement whenever she calls home (which is hardly ever!). But she feels it's a great combination of an excellent academic experience and a traditional (and ultimate) college experience. I swear, she's said several times, "I am so glad I came here."</p>
<p>My S is has been accepted EA at UNC and another school is awaiting RD decisions from other schools. Deciding on which school to attend is a difficult proposition both for the student and as a parent. Personally, I am leaving the choice to my S as long as the aid is there to help us through. UNC has already come through with merit scholarships; therefore, they keep making points with me. Our family relocated a few years ago from California to the Triangle area (therefore IS) and have never regretted that decision. Myself and my children basically grew up with Cal, Stanford, UCLA, and USC on the mind. My S walks around w/Stanford sweatshirts. Please know that he is not a UNC sports fan yet, so that pull from within Carolina to be a Tar Heel is not great. I am certain you will get good information from the students within, but as parents, we could not be any happier for him. This is a great school and compares equally academically with Cal (I attended Cal back in the late 70's, and no I am not a hippie). What a great location! Chapel Hill is a big town, but without the problems or safety concerns you will see in a big city. Chapel Hill and UNC police depts. do a great job at keeping peace and harmony. The town has a very good relationship with the school. The only worries that I have is when UNC wins another basketball title that the bonfires they set in the streets will cause some kids, who aren't thinking too brightly at the moment, a pair of shoes. The medical choices are abundant and top rate. The scenery is beautiful (you already know that). The weather - spring and fall are amazing, but summer can get very humid and the winters are tame. </p>
<p>Regardless of your D's major area of study, there are ample choices for internships and recruiting. Raleigh, the State Capital, is a hub for political groups, law firms, and for banking and only a stones throw away. RTP, home to many top technology, biotech and pharmaceutical companies is just down the street. Many top executives live in Chapel Hill. And, of course, UNC and Duke medical and research centers. I know that it is blasphemous to name Duke in a Carolina thread, but the competition between the school make for an exciting atmosphere, even if you are not a Tar Heel fan yet. The exciting atmosphere of big time college sports with rivalries just down the street is contagious. There are many areas where you have rivalries sharing the same city, but here we have three schools that are not only squeezed into the same small area, but they are also in the same league. You will not find this being the case just about anywhere else in the country. </p>
<p>Therefore, my wife and I can sit back and know that if he chooses UNC-CH, then, we as parents will definitely be at ease. Probably more so than any other school on his list. This one is the no-brainer.</p>
<p>I think the size is perfect - enough people so that a bunch of interests/perspectives are represented, small enough that I feel that it's a small community. That's a big deal to me.</p>
<p>I love that it's public. It may not be as racially diverse as some schools, but I think there's a lot of socioeconomic diversity. I like that a lot of people choose UNC in part because of the money - it means that they took the financial well being of their parents into consideration, and in a way, may be more independent or less willing to depend on their parents. Sometimes I think it'd be interesting to see how close people are to their parents at private schools versus public schools. Anyway, that's also big.</p>
<p>I've been happy with most if not all of my classes, I think that it's very easy to get to know your professors and get personal attention, and people here are all around friendly. I have met very few straight up mean people. It's easy to bond with someone you've never met before, but maybe that's just college life in general. I love the campus - north and south, I think south has a cool feel to it, even if it isn't as regal looking as north. Everyone's a fan of the basketball team, even us artsy people... It's just so easy to be happy here. That's why I love Carolina.</p>