<p>So, I've pretty much decided on UNC but I'm not 100% sure. I was ecstatic to get in out of state; I never expected I would. I applied and got in to other private schools, mostly in the Northeast, and UF. However, the private schools gave us no fin aid and my parents aren't too keen on me going to to smaller private schools because of the money and distance, and I didn't really try to appeal our fin aid packages (which I regret a bit).
However, I did get to visit UNC and appealed our fin aid package, and they succeeded in bringing my EFC from around 80k to 25k- because of our current family situation, and also because my mom filled the assets out wrong on our FAFSA. They were very nice and responsive about our situation, and now I am getting about 5k in grants, and almost 3k through work study. Not the best fin aid package, but the best we've gotten.
My question is, is UNC worth the debt I might accumulate? I would probably have 5k per year until my father gets his business back on track. I want to go into journalism, and I know they have one of the best in the country- I toured it and it seemed realllyyy nice. Whereas, at UF I would have none- but to me, it's a safety school and less appealing academically (although I did get in the honors program). Also, I liked the campus and surrounding community much better than UF's, and it is smaller, which is also appealing. So, any suggestions would be much appreciated! Thank you!</p>
<p>UNC, hands down. I think their J-school is second in the country.</p>
<p>Yes, UNC is consistently rated one of the top 5 J-schools around…I think in this case, it may be worth incurring the extra debt to take advantage of a much better journalism program.</p>
<p>thanks so much! any other suggestions?</p>
<p>I’m in the J-School and I love it! The professors are excellent.</p>
<p>Interesting to hear someone in the same situation!</p>
<p>I am a journalism major (and Florida resident), and I was also admitted to UNC and UF. I loved Carolina, and was set on going there. It is an amazing school and I was so happy to get in. I paid the enrollment deposit and everything.</p>
<p>But, last week I decided on UF. The j-school at Florida is almost always in the top 10, and definitely top in the state… and I can go to UF on a full tuition scholarship. My UNC tuition would have been around $20,000/year, plus living expenses. Plus, for those that want to work in Florida, the alumni connections (the “Gator Nation”) are invaluable in this state. </p>
<p>Your situation is a bit different than mine, since you’d only have around 5k in loans per year. In that case, I say go for it if you want it. You’ll get a great education at both schools, whether you end up at UNC or UF. :)</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice heathergee and rosa999.
rosa999, we are in similar situations, and i absolutely understand your decision. personally, i feel like i have no ties to UF or the “gator nation”, really…i always planned to move out of state for college/work, as my sister did. however, i also always planned to go somewhere more artsy, liberal, and smaller. unfortunately all of those places are way too expensive for me right now! i just keep going back and forth. UNC is not my dream school, but it’s really good school for what i might want to major in. i just don’t know if it’s worth the extra money.</p>
<p>anyone else with any UF/UNC experiences?</p>
<p>D is in the same situation. Honors program at UF and UNC. She chose UNC and has been getting a hard time about it from other students who say there isn’t a difference between the schools. BUt…I think if you look at the stats UNC is much better. It has a national reputation whereas UF’s is regional. UF is also the #1 party school and since D wants to go to Law School, this reputation was a consideration.<br>
Good luck with your decision!</p>
<p>I agree, a question that has come up often at my school is “why wouldn’t you just go to UF?” ergh! So much so that I am even questioning my once firm decision to go OOS for college.</p>
<p>Tell them because you’re interested in new challenges in a new place. </p>
<p>If you’re interested in journalism, it’s a no brainer… especially if the financial aid makes it affordable.</p>
<p>chikfreak 318: I am finding your thread interesting as I posted a similar thread a couple of weeks ago with UNC vs UGA-Honors BUT I received very different responses than what you are receiving.Most advised to go to the in state school (UGA for us) with the Hope and Charter Scholarship vs paying out of state tuition at UNC. D is also interested in Journalism and UGA also has a good journalism school like UF and UNC. You might want to read it-
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-north-carolina-chapel-hill/686412-unc-oos-vs-uga.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-north-carolina-chapel-hill/686412-unc-oos-vs-uga.html</a></p>
<p>catrobwill</p>
<p>In reading this link it seems that most steered you to UNC; am I missing something?</p>
<p>UGA may have a good J school but neither UF nor UGA is considered one of the top three like UNC’s is.</p>
<p>Eadad: So sorry I put the wrong link in. Here are the correct ones:
Parents Forum-
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/673084-uga-vs-unc-ch.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/673084-uga-vs-unc-ch.html</a>
College Forum-
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/673107-uga-vs-unc-ch.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/673107-uga-vs-unc-ch.html</a></p>