UNC is the best of these academically and prestige wise but I’m torn…I’m in-state and UNC is such a good value for a nationally known school. However, I don’t know if being able to say “I went to unc” is enough to motivate me for the next four years. I don’t want to be overwhelmed with work at UNC and I want to be able to enjoy my college years. I want to study Social Work/Education and UNC doesn’t have undergrad programs in either of those fields (you can’t get licensed to teach in 4 years, you have to stay and get your masters). I don’t like the idea of working super hard and still getting mediocre grades for a degree that’s only slightly related to the career I want to pursue (I’ll probably major in HDFS/Public Policy/Psychology if I end up going). I live fairly close to UNC and I like the idea of going away to college and I feel like it’s too close for me. Also, I feel like if I go to UNC I will just be average and a small fish in a big pond.
At App, on the other hand, I would be farther from home, in the Honors College, a bigger fish in a smaller pond, able to major in Social Work/Education. When I visited App, I felt more at home than I felt at UNC. The only drawback for me is the cold weather.
For UNCW, I would be by the beach (which I love), in the Honors College, a bigger fish, able to major in Social Work/Education, and receiving a scholarship (though money isn’t a huge factor in my decision). The only drawback is I didn’t like the campus and Wilmington doesn’t have that college town vibe that I love about Chapel Hill/Boone.
Any help/input about these programs is appreciated!
Thanks!!
Don’t go to college for the beach. There’s always going to be spring break and you need to focus on your studies. Don’t go to UNC or UNCW if they don’t have the program you want and/or especially if you didn’t like the campus! Your happiness and life as a student outweighs the college’s prestige, and if you go to one of those schools and hate it you’ll be kicking yourself. App State sounds like the better choice for you. Believe me, as cold as North Carolina can get, I’m going to college in Ohio. There’s always worse!
A MSW is required to do clinical social work, so keep that in mind if that’s your career goal.
You don’t have any bad options here. I’d personally go for Carolina, but I have taught summer courses at App and liked it quite a lot. Nice campus, great opportunities for hiking, and Boone and Blowing Rock are cool towns.
Carolina doesn’t have either of the majors you’re interested in. So I’d consider it out despite the prestige.
So, next, it’s App, which you clearly liked best, v. UNCW which would likely be cheaper and milder.
Can you do an overnight at each? Attend classes perhaps?
What the net cost for either one?
(Tuition, fees, room, board) - (scholarships w grants)=