<p>Right now I'm choosing between UNC and UMD and need some help trying to decide which one I would like to go to. UMD is my instate school and I have always wanted to go here. However, I was also admitted to UNC which was a reach and I was somehow admitted...I'm not really sure how lol...anyways which one is better and why?</p>
<p>Cost: A little bit of an issue. I still don't have my aid packages from both schools, but UNC is $38,000 and UMD is about $23,000. Is UNC worth the $15,000/per year difference?</p>
<p>Housing: Guaranteed at UNC, not at UMD</p>
<p>ahhhhh Help lol</p>
<p>Well it depends on what you want to study. But if you’ve always wanted to go to UMD and it’s cheaper, you should go there. 60k is a big difference, especially on top of ~100k for UMD if you don’t get aid.</p>
<p>haha well ive always wanted to go to UMD cuz I never thought I’d get into UNC… I guess I’m just shocked…</p>
<p>Is the quality of life better at Chapel Hill?</p>
<p>I’m from Chapel Hill, went to umd and am now transferring to unc. Parking is a HUGE PAIN at umd and you’ll probably pay thousands of dollars in parking ticketse before you graduate. Even though UNC is a higher ranked university (per US News and World Report), I feel like it’s harder to do well at UMD due to the enormous class sizes and the impersonal nature of school. jessimo093, if you’re from Montgomery County or Howard County, you’ll probably be seeing a ton of familiar faces, as 80% of the in-state UMD students that I’ve run into are from either of these counties. </p>
<p>Given that UNC costs an extra $15k/yr, it’s a tough call. Guaranteed housing at UNC may be the deal breaker; housing at UMD is VERY hard to come by.</p>
<p>Yeah I’m from Montgomery County and know a few people here and feel like it may be hard trying to make new friends, especially if I’m living off campus.</p>
<p>How is UNC’s campus versus UMD?? Also the overall environment?</p>
<p>@surfwakesnow,
I’m trying to make the same decision right now. I want to major in chemistry and UNC has a great chemistry program. Still, coming from MoCo, I am not sure I want to stay here since 2/3 of my HS Class is at UMD. My parents really want me to stay so yeah…
Really unsure about this now.</p>
<p>I also feel like UNC is a totally different experience. It will be totally new. A bunch of my best friends go to UMD so it sort of makes my choice harder; do I go to the school where I am comfortable and may not branch out or do I go to the school where I can sort of reinvent myself and no one knows who I am.</p>
<p>I have no idea what the difference in cost of living is at each school, but when you’re comparing finances be sure that you’re calculating ultimate debt. Take into account price for housing and food along with tuition. The two schools might work out to be similar even if one has more expensive tuition. Factor in travel costs, etc. Your parents can definitely help you out with this.</p>
<p>Of course maybe you already did take that into account - that’s tough. For each school determine how much money you’d need to be making to pay off your debt in x years. Consider if you’re interested in professional graduate school, etc. It’s a tough decision to make and is worth a lot of careful thought.</p>
<p>Yeah, that definitely will be a consideration. Money isn’t a huge issue at this point. UNC comes out to be $45,000 more w/o aid, which is a lot of money. However, if I were to go to UMD I would most likely have to get off campus housing which can be pricey and have to deal with everything that comes with that.</p>
<p>Right now I’m leaning toward UNC. I really don’t think I can pass up that opportunity.</p>
<p>Surfwakesnow165, the campus at umd is really nice, esp. mckeldin mall. However, the areas surrounding umd’s campus (Baltimore Avenue and University Boulevard) isn’t nearly as nice as the areas surrounding unc’s campus (franklin street). A lot of the bars in college park closed down recently (Santa Fe Cafe, Thirsty Turtle), so I think the UNC party scene will better (if you’re into that). </p>
<p>45daysinrome, umd’s chemistry program and facilities pale in comparison to unc’s…unc just got a new chemistry building (kenan labs) and umd’s chem building is really old; the chem labs at umd are insanely annoying (esp. orgo labs)</p>
<p>I was actually at UMD for accepted students day when I posted this. I think that I will end up at UNC just because I do want something new. I hope I do get some money at UNC, but I think that it will be worth it even if it cost a bit more.</p>
<p>@IndianTarHeel,
Thanks for that info. After looking at both thoroughly, I am leaning towards UNC as it has one of the highest-ranked chem programs in the country. That, and leaving home and have that college-far-from-home experience have convinced me that if my final decision has to be between UMD and UNC, I’m going with UNC.</p>