<p>I live in North Carolina, so UNC would be around 13k/year (which my parents can cover). I LOVE Chicago, but it would put my parents under significant financial strain (23k/year) and I would graduate with around 20k in debt. I'm looking to major in something math or science related, and plan to go to grad school immediately. Could a UNC student compete with a Chicago student in graduate admissions? Is Chicago for undergrad worth the bigger investment (~60k overall)?</p>
<p>Yikes. Anybody? To be more specific, I’m not into premed/biology and would probably either major in applied math or some flavor of chemistry.</p>
<p>a UNC student compete with a Chicago student in graduate admissions? yes. </p>
<p>Is Chicago for undergrad worth the bigger investment (~60k overall)? not really, but Chcago’s math is really good so maybe</p>
<p>remember Chicago is the place where fun goes to die, and UNC is the complete opposite. something to keep in mind</p>
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<p>Lol–OP, remember that the slogan “Where fun comes to die” was intentionally propogated by the school and the students. In other words, UChic is a place where kids are charmingly self-deprecating, not where they lock themselves in their rooms all day and refuse to communicate with each other.</p>
<p>Only you can decide whether Chicago is worth the investment for you. You’re lucky, though, since you’re not grappling with the prospect of 200k in debt–but 60k is no chump change either. And though Chicago certainly puts you in a better position for grad school, you have to consider the burden of grad school costs as well. </p>
<p>Also, as an in-state student, consider the value of a different experience for college. At least from my NC high school, Chapel Hill is essentially our college feeder. The ability to grow in an environment free of people who remember you in braces or with that horrid haircut in middle school might be worth something.</p>
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Spoken like someone who’s never been through graduate admissions. :rolleyes:</p>
<p>Either would serve you perfectly well for getting into graduate school. In-state UNC is a steal, but $20K is not a huge amount of debt if you feel you’d fit in better at Chicago.</p>
<p>I would consider putting less strain on the 'rents (maybe borrow up to 40K for 4 yrs) and go to Chicago. It’s worth it. Although, if you like UNC that’s a fine choice - don’t misunderstand me.</p>
<p>UNC is a fine school, but for grad schools, Chicago will carry much more weight</p>
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Prove it. </p>
<p>Some of the 2009 PhD graduates at Caltech received undergraduate degrees from Kansas, UNC Chapel Hill, BYU, Missouri, Iowa State, U St. Thomas, Centre, Virginia Polytechnic, Western Washington, UNC Asheville, Drake, Portland State…the list goes on and on. 9 times out 10, such statements are made by people who have not gone through the graduate admissions process or even know how it works.</p>
<p>Incidentally, the chemistry programs at UNC and Chicago are ranked exactly the same.</p>
<p>I think you should go with UNC. It’s a great school, and with less debt you can use those money for graduate school. And I believe UNC’s students are competitive in graduate admission.</p>