<p>DD is deciding between UNC and UVA, both OOS. We'll be re-visiting over the next week. Spanish/pre-med intended areas of study. Any particular items you would flag for her consideration? Thanks.</p>
<p>I am trying to decide in state UNC or OOS UVA? I think if I was OOS both I would choose UVA. Although I am pre med and UNC is probably better for that area of study. The Biology dept at UNC is tops. My heart says UVA but my parents wallet say UNC???</p>
<p>erisamom</p>
<p>Both are great schools. Despite their geographic locations, UVA is the more “southern” school of the two and also the more conservative school. UVA’s student body “feels” more homogeneous and is far more southern preppy (bow ties and seersucker pants on guys) than that at UNC. For the girls lots of Lilly Pulitzer, Lacoste, and designer bags. It has been likened to a walking JCrew catalog by many. You may or may not see this as much during the day but certainly at night and for going out.</p>
<p>UNC is a bit more diverse, there is certainly a preppy element but it’s a bit less “in your face” and there is much more tolerance and interaction between Greeks and non-Greeks…being non Greek is not a big deal at all. The fraternity guys do wear ties (usually not bow ties) to football games (usually with shorts) while the sorority girls wear sundresses which is a lot different than the little black cocktail dresses and pearls worn at most other more southern schools for home football games. Everyone else is in their Carolina blue tee shirts and shorts. At both schools you’ll see more Vera Bradley bags and totes than you have probably ever seen in your life…;)</p>
<p>Academically in the arts and languages for the most part they are a draw; some UNC departments outrank UVA and vice versa but UNC’s sciences are far stronger than those at UVA. There was a thread last year in which someone posted a UVA internal report that discussed their science and research shortcomings. If I recall correctly this was done by long time CC poster who is a former professor at UVA and is now at U Wisconsin I believe.</p>
<p>Socially, UVA is far more dependent on the Greek scene and drinking is a very central part of the undergrad social experience. While there is certainly plenty of drinking at UNC, the social scene does in any way not revolve around it and there is plenty to do if you don’t want to drink.</p>
<p>The town of Chapel Hill and Franklin St are interwoven with UNC while downtown Charlottesville is not immediately adjacent to the campus.</p>
<p>iluvhs</p>
<p>For someone instate, paying tuition to UVA is silly especially if you want to go to Med school. Forget the stronger sciences at UNC and focus on cost. Med school can be VERY expensive…I know because I’ve been through the process and my S is now a second year med student. There is little “merit” money or scholarship availability so most med students are taking out loans to finance their education. Why rack up that debt when you have a great school in your back yard and you can maybe get help from your parents for med school?</p>
<p>Eadad nailed it on the head.</p>
<p>Barrons isn’t a former U-Va professor. He’s just a guy who loves UW-Madison, spends lots of time near Charlottesville, and gets big time irritated whenever anyone says that U-Va’s reputation is better than UW’s. I’d take his comments with a huge grain of salt.</p>
<p>As I posted on the U-Va thread, the sciences aren’t particularly distinguished at either UNC or U-Va, but U-Va’s Spanish department (the original poster’s other academic interest) is. It’s ranked fifth in the country while UNC is ranked 31st.</p>
<p>U-Va is also more diverse, has more out of state students, and has a better gender balance than UNC.</p>
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<p>Ummmm…actually the sciences at UNC are pretty distinguished. And UNC’s science departments (and medical school) are ranked above UVA’s in nearly all categories. And in some cases, these departments are ranked pretty far above UVA’s departments (ie, Chemistry).</p>
<p>The point is that they’re both strong enough for a student wanting to go to med school. But neither is top five or anything (unlike UVa’s Spanish department).</p>
<p>because rankings definitely capture the true nature of college programs… There should so much more to making decisions about college and life in general than sitting and obsessing over someone else’s perceptions of something. Both are excellent schools with great reputations and happy student bodies; the OP should have her child pick the best fit for her. :)</p>
<p>I just received an invitation to UNC Honors Program!</p>
<p>^ was the invitation by e-mail or postal mail? Just curious, an invitation to honors could finalize the deal for my D. She has honors at UW-madison and FSU. FSU has offered merit $ and scholarship and recently increases the $ amount. She enjoyed both campus visits (UNC-CH is 4/12). NYU is still in the play as well. While it does not have the campus feel, she does love NYC and all that it offers. While I know others have written that honors should not play a factor at UNC-CH as you can still do honor classes, it does have an ‘ego’ play especially considering that 2 other schools recognize her academic merits.</p>
<p>Sorry, didn’t intend to hi-jack the topic. Just curious about the honors invitation.</p>
<p>I just received the packet in the mail today ( I live overseas) but the letter was dated March 23. I was surprised because I thought all invites for Honors program were out already. Tell your daughter good luck. I was accepted Honors Program at FSU as well with merit money but UNC in state and Honors beats the others I think.</p>
<p>Congrats on the Honors. Actually with the $ offered by FSU, the cost will be same as in-state UNC. I am pretty certain she did not get Honors at UNC as she would have been notified by now. She is excited for the Carolina Explore on 4/12. The Con’s for UNC-CH is the lack of an offer for honors and the absence of a dance program. She now realizes how what an accomplishment it is to get into UNC-CH as many of her friends and class mates (some ranked higher than her) were waitlisted or rejected.</p>
<p>I’m not sure if eadad went to UVA for undergrad but everything he says about Greek life, the campus being conservative and drinking is not true at all (who founded UVA again? And why?). If you want to believe someone who’s basing his arguments on mere speculations, go right ahead. Since when does having your school filled with 80%+ NC students constitute as bein more ~diverse~? I’m actually laughing at some of the claims being made here.</p>
<p>What did your daughter decide? These are my D’s top choices – waitlisted at both.</p>
<p>D turned down UNC OOS. There’s a spot for you. The value of UNC is not what we expected with no FA. I think many OOS people are in that boat this year. Good luck with the waiting list!</p>
<p>My daughter chose UNC; best of luck to all.</p>
<p>^^^^^^^ So did my daughter. It was because UNC has an excellent broadcast journalism program.</p>
<p>Haha. Thanks sejafan. That OOS spot might be mine. =O</p>