<p>I recently was accepted to both NYU and UNC and wanted to know what you guys thought about both places compared to each other. If I go to NYU I'll be studying Liberal Arts and if I go to UNC I'll be studying Classics. What do you guys think?</p>
<p>Which one is less expensive? That’s probably the most important thing if the departments are similar in quality.</p>
<p>Totally in the same boat.
Financial aid is a huge decision factor, and so is the location. Both schools have my major, so that wouldn’t be a problem.
Ultimately, my decision will probably be made based on the money:/</p>
<p>Both are academically strong schools. In particular, Tisch School of the Arts and the Stern School of Business are very good at NYU (Although Kenan-Flagler Business School at UNC is excellent also).</p>
<p>In my opinion, the difference in environment, unity and community are the biggest differentiators. If you haven’t visited both … do so and ask the students about these issues!</p>
<p>UNC has a beautiful well-defined campus. NYU has no campus, and as result, no real sense of community. NYU consists of academic buildings spread across the New York City blocks between 12th street and West Houston Street. There is no distinction between school and the city. The school IS the city. Most of the dorms are converted apartment buildings. </p>
<p>Despite the huge 44K student population, Ive been told by people who go there that it is very easy to feel detached from NYU. First years in particular can actually feel lonely surrounded by thousands of people. NYU administration recognizes this issue and is trying to remedy the problem with mixed results.</p>
<p>UNC has tons of school spirit and incredible D1 team athletics. NYU has non existent school spirit and small a D3 athletics program. NYU is trying to promote team sports by doing what they call Tear It Up. This consists of free food and things like shirts if you go to see a team… compare that to UNC’s enthusiastic student body support for our national championship caliber varsity sports programs. NYU has nothing that could remotely compare to the excitement and environment of a UNC vs. d00k basketball game, or 60K people in Kenan Stadium for a UNC home football game! </p>
<p>Living in NYC is VERY EXPENSIVE. Not just the cost of the school (which without aid is more at NYU), but the cost of living in the city. </p>
<p>Living in NYC does however open up the opportunity to find whatever NYU students are looking for in New York City. Bars, nightclubs, museums, concerts, and theaters are readily available to all students who have the time (and in some cases, the money) to enjoy them. You will definitely walk past beggars on your way to class … it is just part of the total urban experience of NYU.</p>
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<p>True enough, though if you live off campus at UNC you will probably walk past beggars on your way to class.</p>
<p>Totally agree with rbikid’s assessment. A close friend from home attends Columbia, and her description of what is like to live in the city/lack of ‘campus feel’ or ‘community’ is exactly as described. She can’t even begin to comprehend my level of school spirit and attachment to UNC is!</p>
<p>What I suggest is that you make a list of what is important to you, from academics to campus life, and rank them. These two schools are extremely different. Always think ahead, on where you want to be 4 years from now, etc. I can’t speak much for NYC, since obviously I don’t live there, but I’ll try to sum up UNC life as best as I can.</p>
<p>Chapel Hill is the quintessential college town. The student body is very diverse, but you have to keep in mind 85% (somewhere around there) of students are from North Carolina. However, NC is a big state and I’ve found people from in state are just as diverse as those from out of state. Still though, I doubt that compares to NYC.</p>
<p>Students here are very driven, but also very friendly. I feel like most of us are competitive but don’t lose that sense of community (whereas I’ve heard New York schools- particularly performing arts departments- are very cut throat and dog eat dog… dunno how that trickles down to other departments, but just a thought). We push each other to do better, but never wish the other harm. It’s part of a set of values we call the ‘Carolina Way’, and everyone here respects that. I’m sure every college has an honor code and values they honor, but I can honestly attest to the fact most students here take it very seriously. On that note, I’ve never felt unsafe walking around campus late at night (though there are services for that, like safewalk, p2p bus, and blue lights) and I never even think twice about leaving my laptop, phone, and backpack unattended in the library when I have to go to the bathroom, etc. I really don’t think you can say the same at NYC!</p>
<p>School spirit is incomparable. I’m originally from New England, and none- I repeat, none- of my high school friends can understand the level of devotion Tar Heels have. Some people mistakenly think the devotion is limited to athletics, but that is not the case! Obviously our storied programs are a big factor (Michael Jordan and Mia Hamm are both Carolina alums), but I know people that talk about Chapel Hill as our ‘southern piece of heaven’ and they don’t even like sports. Everyone finds different things to love about Carolina, because Carolina offers many different experiences to everyone.</p>
<p>I will admit that night life is a bit limited, especially if you’re under 21/don’t have a car to venture outside of Franklin St but that doesn’t mean it’s boring. Students here definitely employ that “work hard, play hard” mentality. There are always frat parties, house parties, athletic team parties, and numerous bars that are 18+. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays are the busiest/‘funnest’ nights and in my two years here I’ve yet to have a weekend where I stay in because there’s nothing to do. Also, even if you don’t party, your options are still wide. There are always concerns going on at Memorial Hall and plays at the theater, there’s no shortage of sporting events, and Southpoint is a nice mall within driving distance.</p>
<p>Of course, the enriching culture and nightlife scenes you will find at NYC are probably unmatched by any other city. Not to mention all the opportunities. So it all really depends on what you’re looking for. I was also torn between a city school (in Boston) and a college town, but one (of the very many) of my deciding factors was this: You can always get glimpse of the city life and experience all a big city has to offer after you graduate (either by attending grad school in the city or internship/job). However, you really only get to experience what it’s like to live on campus with a college town feel once.</p>
<p>Wow, you guys have really opened up my eyes. I guess it’s probably the better decision to go to UNC because I really am big on school spirit and the college life. I am also going to get more grants/aid at UNC. Thanks for all the input. :)</p>
<p>I was in this same position 3 years ago. Choosing UNC (I’m in-state btw) over NYU was the best decision of my life. Even if you’re out of state, UNC is a way better deal than NYU. We have a great classics department, too. They are totally different college experiences though and depends on your preferences. UNC is the paradigm of a “college experience” & Chapel Hill is the prefect college town whereas NYU doesn’t really even have a campus.</p>
<p>Also, I know plenty of people here at UNC who intern over summers in NYC so although there are opportunities that come with living in the city, it doesn’t give you that much of an edge over equally qualified students in other colleges.</p>