UNC vs GWU

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hi ,</p>

<p>I have already paid the deposit to George Washington University in DC but I just got accepted by University of North Carolina at Chapel hill this morning after being WL for a month. </p>

<p>So, I am not sure where I should go. I am a Chinese student and I like GWU for its great location and accessible opportunities in DC and strong political science program. </p>

<p>But I am not absolutely sure what I am going to pursue as a degree so I want a wide-range education. UNC is excellent and prestigious but I am afraid that its location may not give me as many opportunities as DC could offer. </p>

<p>A huge concern is about the class size at UNC. I am afraid that large classes may not provide a engaged learning experience. </p>

<p>But I've never been to most schools, could anyone give me some advice? Thanks in advance!</p>

2

<p>^oohhh congratulations sanduo, that’s great news.</p>

<p>Here are how the US News rankings compare:</p>

<p>National Universities:
UNC-CH #28, score 70
GWU #53, score 53 </p>

<p>Political Science (grad school)
UNC-CH #13, score 4.0
GWU #39, score 2.9
(althou if you’re in the Elliott school for GWU, their IR program is a lot better)</p>

<p>However, note that UNC is a public school in a college town, whereas GWU is private and smack in the middle of DC. The atmosphere, peers, and intern opportunities are vastly different.
Did you see the fin.aid package yet?</p>

3

<p>GWU is not in the same league academically with UNC. I would easily go to UNC.</p>

4

<p>000ace000:
Heyy, UNC’s COA is pretty similar like that of GWU since GWU offers me some scholarship. so, basically I have to pay 3k more to GWU although they have scholarships for me. </p>

<p>This morning the UNC’s email came as a surprise for me. I became undecided again! .haha</p>

5

<p>vociferous:
Yeah, according to the general reputation GWU is not as good as UNC. </p>

<p>But I heard from some Americans that I can learn so much outside of the classroom If i go to DC for college. </p>

<p>Suppose I were to find a job right after college, which one should I go? Do US employers really care the prestige of your undergraduate degree?</p>

6

<p>What kind of job are you talking about and where? Yes employers do care and alumni networks are important for job leads. UNC has a very large alumni base so it should not be underestimated in that regard. You learn more outside of the classroom in any university.</p>

7

<p>As a foreign student I think you will feel more at home in DC than in Chapel Hill. DC has such international diversity. The smaller class sizes will help at a private school will help, too, if your English is at all weak. Rankings aren’t everything.</p>

8

<p>Unless you’re in at the Elliott school to study IR, I’d say go with UNC.</p>

9

<p>I vote UNC. I was a foreign student myself - if you go somewhere with more “diversity” that doesn’t always mean more integration - or that you will feel more comfortable.</p>

10

<p>UNC is the way to go. College is about education and experience, not about “opportunities”. Students should worry about learning. Finding a job should not even enter one’s mind under the Sophomore year of college.</p>

11

<p>ricegal: yeah, Thank you. I was worried about the same thing. Smaller classes might be a good advantage at GWU.</p>

12

<p>duermomucho:
Thanks.<br>
The main reason I am hesitating about UNC is that i may feel lost. Except roomates, would I have a chance to closely meet people and form a engaged learning group?</p>

13

<p>amandakayak: exactly.Diversity is not everything.
since you are a foreign student, do you think it may be harder to fit in a very large school like UNC?</p>

14

<p>UNC is not larger than GWU. UNC has 27,000 students whereas GWU has 25,000 students. And classes are not larger at UNC than at GWU.</p>

15

<p>Let me clarify, I was a foreign student - but not in US, in China. We were not allowed to integrate with Chinese people at that time ('84-85) and I know that really affected how much I learned. Not until I quit the program and found a way (teaching english) to become part of the community did I really learn anything. It was not comfortable at first, but it was very valuable.</p>

<p>My husband (Chinese national) went to college in NYC and although his university was very diverse (CUNY Baruch), there was so much self-segregation. He spent most of his time with asians. </p>

<p>I have visited both of these colleges and personally prefer UNC - it is a gorgeous campus with very friendly people, lots of smiling people!</p>

<p>If you are the kind of person who can go beyond the classroom, join in campus activities, join clubs, be in a band…you will meet people. I am sure the people practicing bad chinese on you will not be as annoying as the “English Corners” I used to avoid! I just wouldn’t look at campus diversity figures and equate that to “fitting in” - to make the most of your experience, you might not want to fit in, if you know what I mean.</p>

16

<p>amandakayak:
Wow, seems like you know a lot about China. </p>

<p>I have only atteneded English Corner once in my life. haha, I can imagine you being surrounded by Chinese students asking all those questions. </p>

<p>Hanging out only with Asians or Chinese in UNC, that is what I am worried about. I hope that would not be the case for me~~~</p>

17

<p>I would go with UNC. It’s a great school (ranked #7 by Forbes for Public Colleges), and I’m sure you’ll find plenty of opportunities and diversity.</p>

18

<p>UNC and Chapel Hill are very welcoming of diversity.</p>

19

<p>have you visited both?</p>

20

<p>I would go with UNC unless you are interested in political science. My best friend goes to GWU, and I just think GW is an expensive private school. There is no point shelling out that much money for that school. Yes, it’s a good school, but definitely not worth $50,000 a year. Personally, I think UNC is a better, more selective school. Plus, NC weather is much better than DC weather.</p>