Right now I’m debating between choosing UNC or UVA for undergraduate studies. I will be majoring in Biomedical Engineering and as for my future career I’m undecided if I want to continue the engineering route or go to medical school. Academics are very important to me, but I want to also have the full college experience and enjoy my four years. Academically, I want to be involved as much as possible and conduct research likely in the area of tissue engineering. I know both schools are well known, but I’m wondering which school would be the best for me considering I’m majoring in Biomedical Engineering. One of the biggest cons about UNC is they don’t have an engineering school (they offer a joint program with NC State). I’m wondering if this may be the deal breaker or maybe one of you have additional information that may help me decide. Also, although I’m a “Biomedical Engineering” major, I’m open to changing if I don’t like it. In that case I’d probably go in the direction of something else Math heavy with an emphasis on helping others. As for cost, I have a great deal from UVA as well as UNC but UVA is slightly cheaper. Another big concern for me is the community and overall vibe at each school. I want to attend a school with people that look out for each other and has that family sense of community. I’ve heard UNC is more that whereas UVA is more preppy, elitist, etc. If anyone could drop some advice it would be greatly appreciated!
Well, here in the UVa forum, you know that we will sing the praises of UVA and won’t be able to tell you much about being a student at Chapel Hill. UVA biomedical engineering is excellent. The department is actually located in the medical school, though most (all) engineering disciplines have research projects that involve the med school.
Have you visited UVA? The “elitist” comments usually come from people who have never been here. UVA students are a happy, smart bunch. Maybe take a look at student groups on Instagram (or my feed!) to address that perception you’ve been given if you won’t be able to visit.
I’d be concerned that I may later decide to study a different type of engineering, and that choice would not be available at UNC-CH.
UVA for Biomedical engineering sounds like a much better bet, and it’s cheaper.
It would be hard for you to pick two schools which are more similar to each other.
Both highly ranked public Ivy schools in the south. Both in the ACC and are good at hoops, soccer and lacrosse but meh at football. Similar weather due to a similar geographic location. Two beautiful campuses. Both located in great classic college towns. Same size (UNC 18,523 undergrads; UVA 16,331 undergrads). M/F ratio at UNC is 42/58; UVA 45/55. Biggest difference probably is that out-of-staters are one-third at UVA and one-fifth at UNC.
Pick what you like. Do you prefer navy/light blue to navy/orange?
If you can’t pick, then go to UVA since it is cheaper and has better majors for you.
I agree with @northwesty —but to put a finer point on it, there are roughly twice as many OOS at UVA as at UNC, with both schools drawing a lots of kids from urban areas that may have moved there from somewhere else (Charlotte and northern Virginia).
FWIW, we visited UNC and my son really disliked it. Very impersonal. we couldn’t get questions answered. The admitted student days didn’t nothing to welcome OOS students. We had to hop on a second tour to get any information. Just our experience. I know kids who have done well and loved it there. You really need to visit.
Also, a note, UVA BME major I believe is still capped. It might be at around 80 students now. If you don’t get in there is the Nanomedicine Engineering major but that is somewhat different than Biomedical Engineering.
Which school would have majors you want if you don’t do BME?
Which school places better for jobs/medical school?
http://www.cavalierdaily.com/article/2018/04/the-end-of-enrollment-caps-in-the-engineering-school
This article says all enrollment caps are being removed for engineering majors for next year. It says that additional profs and courses were added to meet the demand for biomed.
^I didn’t know that but wow!
If it is Biomedical Engineering that you’re interested in, I would go to the university that actually has the school that would offer that – meaning UVa’s Engineering School. Good luck!