Hi everyone. I am currently a Senior in high school in the northeast. I have very strong activities and recs and a decent gpa and sat score, but not high enough to qualify for scholarships at higher rated schools. I am essentially part of the “ middle class loophole” as my family makes too much to qualify for most financial aid ( 150k +, parents are owners of pharmaceutical rep company ) but too little to go through college debt free as my parents are making me do. I’m applying to UNC Charlotte as my stats are far ahead of the average and I am aware they have very little representation outside of North Carolina. They also have a very cheap tuition and room and board so receiving even a minimal scholarship would cause it to be cheaper than my state schools. I’m interested in studying the business and marketing world. I’m a very adaptable person and make friends easily but I have never been to this part of the south ( I have family in Tennessee which is three hours away though) and don’t know anyone there. I live close to Boston and can come home in the summers and hopefully get an internship there. Would this school be a good fit for me?? Can someone who knows more about it please let me know what kind of school it is, if people go home on weekends, and how out of staters like me would fit in? Thanks so much
As a student, the atmosphere is amazing being in a fun city at a very nice school, all the dorms and buildings at unc are very nice and have the best resources. Almost half of the students are out of state, many from the northeast. With 30,000 students there is never a dull moment.
The school is great but is not perfect in the slightest. It’s good that you’re good at making friends because that is very useful at UNCC.
Academics: Be warned UNCC has a graduation rate of 55% this is because students get behind in academics that they end up dropping out or just not returning. Depending on your department(major), advisor, and head the head department person( I forgot their title), will have a great impact on you. A lot of STEM majors have terrible advisors if that wasn’t bad enough they have a terrible Chemistry department that has been on and off probation. I have been told that many times by professors, classmates, and some tutors. After taking chemistry there I believe it their physics department is easier but both physics and chem have a high failure/withdrawal rate and their chem final exam are ten times easier than the exams.
You must use rate my professor before signing up for classes. STEM fields have a lot of terrible professors to make matters worse uncc does not have enough professors for their students so you either have to wait a semester or take the class somewhere else. prolonging your graduation.
If you get pass Chemistry and Physics then you will do fine, just make sure you check rate my professor before signing up for classes.
Dorms: Don’t bother overpriced and not worth it. You’re better off living off campus. Like most people when they do the math they realize that it cost more live on campus than off. The school knows more students are opting out of on-campus dorms so they’re trying to find ways to attract more students. If you were getting Financial aid you would immediately see what I’m saying. when you live off campus you receive a refund most students get back at least $3,000. I don’t even get me started with their internet, students constantly setting off the alarms and roommates. I never had a problem but I’ve heard stories.
Social: Everyone at UNCC is extremely friendly. It is easy to make friends here but EXTREMELY difficult to keep them. If you weren’t born here or the surrounding cities around Charlotte then you will find their friendships confusing. For starters, they will always put you last and only talk to you when its convent to them. If you bring it up they will make you feel like you’re crazy. If texting and hanging out once in a blue moon is okay for you then you will do fine here. Just know you’re not the only one who has experienced this. Get ready to start deleting people from your contacts and getting an “I was busy” text lol
Don’t expect to go to good parties. No one in Charlotte can throw a good one most parties only has guys who want to go to a party with only dudes? Students complain that there isn’t anything to do in Charlotte but that isn’t remotely true. There are plenty of stuff to do uptown or surrounding areas of the school and on-campus including clubs. From my point of view, it seems like its just students who don’t work or do anything that complains. Even if you don’t have money there are parks to go to and other free events. Don’t have a car? no problem take a light rail. Can’t get to what you want because of no money or the area you want to get to isn’t near the light rail easy get a job.
Resources: This school has really good resources in terms of tutoring and looking for jobs. You just have to put in the effort to get jobs and internships here and don’t wait until the last minute. Connect with your professors and start making connections. This was one of the biggest reasons why I have not transferred. You can always tell if professors care and want to help a student. I was given many many many many opportunities including internships because of my professors. Don’t be afraid to ask them for help it doesn’t have to always be about the class. You can always ask them about jobs
So yes this school is commute school but only because the student doesn’t work or won’t put in the effort to be social instead UNCC students just want to smoke weed and party. Make sense? Just look at our graduation rate.
Even with the ridiculous situation this school recently put me in I still love this school just not the students and one of their departments. If you want honest reviews of the school look at Google reviews most of them I think are negative I believe the rating was a 3/5 total if you can find that then you have the right one. If you’re ready to take on obstacles then come just remember you have to deal with something eventually