UNC-CH or WUSTL?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I've narrowed my choices down to UNC-Chapel Hill and Washington University-St. Louis (I've been waitlisted at Johns Hopkins; if I get accepted off the waitlist I'm almost definitely going there).</p>

<p>I live in North Carolina, so UNC-CH is pretty cheap, and I have a $2500 per year academic scholarship. Money definitely isn't a problem. I've been admitted to the Honors program...and I like the school's atmosphere and overall I think it fits me well. The only problem, and it's a big one for me, is that a LOT of kids from my high school go to Chapel Hill, and I've talked to current students who tell me that you never really escape that. One of the things I was looking forward to most in college was having a fresh start and starting on the same page as everybody else after having moved around in high school quite a bit.</p>

<p>Wash U is expensive (not a huge concern, but it exists), but I think it'll be a little more academically rigorous and I think I'd have a better time there, it being a smaller school with, for the most part, more driven students. Downside: it's pretty far away from where I live, and, while distance isn't a huge deal for me personally, my parents would much rather I stayed somewhat close.</p>

<p>What do you guys think about the pros and cons, and where would you guys go if it were you? Thanks.</p>

2

<p>I know so many kids express concern about seeing their HS friends at their state flagship, but in reality, you most likely won’t run into them unless you make a concerted effort. UNC-CH has so much to offer you. Go…and make a fresh start. Don’t choose anyone from your HS as a roommate, and hit the ground running making lots of new friends.</p>

3

<p>Really, in college, if you don’t want to see your HS-mates, you won’t. Way too many courses, majors, departments. And don’t ever say WashU is more challenging than UNC-CH. We have family experience and I know what I am talking about :wink: If I were you, I’d save my parents’ $$$ and go to UNC.</p>