<p>I've been accepted by two colleges and I need to decide where I will go.
Could somebody give me pro's and con's from each college. Preferably from people that have or are attending these colleges.</p>
<p>What's the financial picture look like for you? Are you in-state?</p>
<p>Yeah I am In-State. I have been invited to Scholarship Day at Carolina, and I only applied to Wake Forest because they told me they could possibly cover 100% of my financial aid.
Also I am Hispanic and both FAFSA and the CSS profile will help me a lot, and just in case I am applying to several scholarships: GATES Millennium, Ronald McDonald, HSF, etc,</p>
<p>you should absolutely go to UNC. its an incredible school</p>
<p>yeah I was thinking the same, many of my classmates are going there (bout 15), but then my sister reminded about the prestige of Wake Forest. But those are not the only reasons why I might/might not go to UNC</p>
<p>Wake Forest and UNC are roughly equivalent in prestige, so do not worry about that when making your decision.</p>
<p>UNC-Chapel Hill will meet 100% of your financial need without loans if you qualify through the Carolina Covenant. Keep that in mind when making a decision.</p>
<p>Out of curiosity, how have you heard from Wake Forest? I'm assuming you didn't apply ED. I'm guessing a scholarship interview invitation, but it seems a bit early.</p>
<p>Throw prestige out the window. UNC and Wake Forest are very, very different schools. Although it depends on your major, Wake Forest probably offers a more intimate classroom experience. The student body is extremely friendly if somewhat homogeneous. Greek life is big, particularly for females. Wake Forest is fairly LAC-like in that it strongly encourages undergraduate research, study abroad, student-faculty interaction, etc. UNC is fairly large, but it's not difficult to find a niche. Professors are very willing to work with students, and there's organizations for pretty much everything. Unfortunately, the advising system could use work. I think Chapel Hill is a bit more fun than Winston-Salem, particularly if you don't have a car, but that's personal preference. It's slightly more of a party school than Wake (although neither can compare to certain other NC universities), and a much larger percentage of students live off campus. </p>
<p>Visit! Stay overnight if you can. It's the best way to get a feel for them. I'm willing to bet you'll end up liking one a lot more than the other.</p>
<p>Thank you for your Response.
I applied for early decision (which did not tie me to the school), and as I said earlier, I only applied to Wake Forest because they told me they could possibly cover 100% of my financial aid.
I was invited to Project Uplift @ Carolina where I stayed there for 3 days and I really liked it. I had only been to Wake Forest once, but my dad does not want to drive me anymore to any of this colleges. I can probably ask to some friends that got accepted ther to take me, but there are only two who did.</p>
<p>How do you feel about the religious affiliation of Wake? Do you view it as a positive or a negative?</p>
<p>inre religious affiliation of Wake - WFU and the NC Baptist Convention parted ways years ago.......here's a link to a good historical look at WFU.
Wake</a> Forest Magazine | September 2006 | Pilgrim's Progress</p>
<p>i agree with ibclass06 - visit and see which campus you feel more connected to. also, remember the slightly homogeneous population of wake as opposed to a larger school like unc</p>
<p>From The Princeton Review</p>
<p>The University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill</p>
<p>Academics</p>
<p>"The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill “is so well rounded,” according to students who make their case by pointing to the “very highly recognized academics, sports, and quality students who are here to get a great education and have fun doing it.” With a typically Southern approach, UNC “creates a very balanced atmosphere to live in. The workload isn’t so overwhelming that you can’t go out and do anything. . . . It makes for a good place to live because people aren’t always stressed out.” Undergrads report that “you won’t find a better combination of quality, cost, and environment for any student specifically interested in undergraduate programs in business, journalism, or education,” and that “the humanities and social sciences have a huge presence here” as well. The sciences aren’t too shabby either; in fact, pretty much across the board “The academic life is very rigorous” and professors “are not only educated in their fields but have life experiences that add to the flavor of their courses.” Many students warn that academic advising is a weak point; one student reports, “We have complicated requirements for majors and . . . sometimes students end up taking classes that don’t count toward their major. Or, they end up not realizing they had to take a particular class until senior year.” The constitution of the state of North Carolina keeps UNC’s in-state tuition rates very low; some out-of-state students complain that the cost of this guarantee falls disproportionately to them.</p>
<p>Student Body</p>
<p>UNC-Chapel Hill Students Say...
"By state policy, native Tar Heels must make up 82 percent of each incoming undergraduate class at UNC, so “The typical student is a North Carolina resident.” Out-of-state students “blend seamlessly into this mix, and are often the ones to take the helm of leadership opportunities.” Undergraduates here “are very involved, whether it’s in the Greek ..."By state policy, native Tar Heels must make up 82 percent of each incoming undergraduate class at UNC, so “The typical student is a North Carolina resident.” Out-of-state students “blend seamlessly into this mix, and are often the ones to take the helm of leadership opportunities.” Undergraduates here “are very involved, whether it’s in the Greek scene, the religious scene, playing intramural sports, or starting their own club. Philanthropic involvement is also high.” Students typically “are academically oriented but aren’t dominated by it. You can’t ‘feel’ midterms in the air, as you can at other schools.” You’ll “find every stereotype represented here: The J. Crew snob, the polo shirt and sunglass-wearing frat boy, the emo/punk rocker, the Southern belle, etc.” The most apparent stereotypes, though, are “the ones who look like they stepped out of the Carolina catalogue, sporting Carolina-blue laptop bags, polo shirts, and sneakers.” UNC is liberal by Southern standards, although no one would ever confuse a UNC undergrad for a Reed College or Wesleyan University student."</p>
<p>Campus Life</p>
<p>"“UNC has a great nightlife” with plenty of options. Franklin Street, the main drag of Chapel Hill, runs along one side of the campus and “has tons of restaurants,” “packed bars,” and college-oriented shopping. “Students from Duke and NC State will often come party on Franklin Street” because it’s the most student-friendly stretch in the Triangle. The campus offers “tons of clubs and organizations—more than 600—so there is plenty of stuff to do.” The dorms “are wonderful, and there is always something going on,” although “Dorm parties are hard to pull off on South Campus, where most of the freshmen live. Just about anything goes on North Campus, though.” The active Greek scene also provides plenty of party options; GDIs note that “it’s really easy to have a social life and be an independent.” But what truly binds the campus are the Tar Heel athletic teams, with the men’s basketball team paramount among them. One student reports, “People look forward to basketball season more than anything. The rivalries are intense” and the quality of play is excellent. The Atlantic Coast Conference is arguably the NCAA’s strongest in basketball. Students also enjoy a “beautiful campus” and great weather; one student observes, “One of the most relaxing things to do is to sit outside on the grass in the quad studying in the 70 degree weather and sun in November.”"</p>
<p>Wake Forest University</p>
<p>Academics</p>
<p>"“Our nickname, ‘Work Forest,’ applies,” caution undergraduates at Wake Forest University, a private school that offers “the perfect combination of small college atmosphere with big university opportunities.” “You have to put a lot of effort into your work” in this “tough atmosphere” where “The BS-ing that got you A’s in high school will get you a C-minus at the most.” Students agree, however, that although the workload is “sometimes excessive,” it’s worth it for the “incredible academic experience” and the “tremendous opportunities” it creates for a student body “anxious to get ahead in the world.” Technology is another of the school’s strengths; at Wake, “Each student is given a computer and printer at the beginning of their freshman and junior years, and technology aides are available in every dorm to assist students [with] computer or network problems.” As for the workload, many here say it’s tough but manageable and point out that “the administration and professors are accessible and willing to talk through difficult assignments or reevaluate things when given the students’ perspectives.” One undergrad sums it up perfectly: “Though everyone will find something to complain about, the truth is that Wake is amazing. Everyone has school spirit, everyone cares about the school, the professors care about the students, the campus is drop-dead gorgeous, and the people are just mad cool.”"</p>
<p>Student Body</p>
<p>"Wake has earned its reputation as a preppy haven; most students here seem to be “skinny, White, and conservative in [their] political views. They wear polos with popped collars—Vera Bradley bags, Sperry’s, etc. roam the campus.” One student observes, “Wake Forest can change your fashion style or habits because of the lack of variety. When I say ‘variety’ I don’t mean the different colors of Ralph Lauren Polos.” There is, however, “a growing and vocal liberal population.” Left-leaning subgroups, “such as the gay and lesbian population, which is not only growing but finding better acceptance here,” are expanding. There is even “a little more variety with respect to body shapes,” and not everyone is rail thin on campus anymore. Racial minorities, however, “are still few and far between.” Wake is home to “a small, very committed Christian population,” but “most students are still sleeping in on Sunday mornings. Wake has a struck a strange balance between its Baptist heritage and the increasingly secular culture.”"</p>
<p>Campus Life</p>
<p>"“Frat parties are wildly popular” at Wake Forest; they occur “both on and off campus,” and “are open to everyone.” You “can find a party that serves alcohol pretty much any night of the week,” although most students are too busy with schoolwork to maintain that type of social schedule. “When Wake students aren’t partying or studying, sports are huge,” as “Everyone goes out to football and basketball games. Intramurals are also very popular and some (such as flag football) are extremely competitive.” Students are split over the appeal of Winston-Salem. Naysayers, who are in the majority, complain that “there isn’t much to do in Winston-Salem other than the usual: mall, movies, clubs, and on-campus events. Most students aren’t culturally interested in the activities that Winston-Salem has to offer. The town isn’t for teenagers but for families.” These students also feel that “it’s unfortunate that the school is located in a residential area with no easily accessible commercial districts.” Others insist that “Winston-Salem is a gold mine of opportunities . . . film festivals, art shows, theater performances, a great mall. Wake students always complain about Winston-Salem, but there is plenty of fun stuff to do if you look for it. And the downtown [area] is absolutely gorgeous.” Quaint Reynolda Village, which is within walking distance of campus, offers some upscale shopping as well as an art museum."</p>
<p>thank you pierre0913 for the info</p>
<p>Very greek and brutal grade deflation at Wake.</p>
<p>Very similar in quality with two basic differences. UNC is a big school (not as huge as some state universities, but clearly big) with the anonymity that comes along with size. Wake has < 4,000 undergrads. It's impossible to be anonymous there. There are pros to anonymity and cons to intimacy, but in general and IMO, anonymity breeds more negatives than positives. A second difference - Wake has a national student body. By state policy, UNC must have something like 83% in-state students.</p>
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<p>Very good info.
Thank you gadad, your comment had make me re-think my options.</p>
<p>My bias is always towards smaller and focused on teaching. I would say that Wake is the better undergrad and UNC has the better grad schools. In fact I would rate UNC undergrad behind Wake Forest, Davidson and Duke. If you want a huge campus with 20,000+ students than Wake is not for you.</p>
<p>how is campus life in Wake, is there enough sports and clubs for a person that wants to try new things?</p>
<p>100pc - In the interest of full disclosure, I should tell you that I went to Wake in the '70s. That makes me not only biased, but obsolete. I'm sure the answer to your question is "yes," but you may find it useful to send a Personal Message to a current student for more details. On the Wake Forest board, willmingtonwave is a frequent CC contributor who's usually got some good present-day insights on campus life there.</p>