<p>hey everyone, so I was accepted to William and Mary and UNC, but choosing between them is near impossible. </p>
<p>I loved W&M when I visited last summer, the idea of a really close community is what I was looking for, and the size of the student population is perfect for me. The problem is that my major (journalism/mass communication) isn't offered at W&M, and there aren't really any ways around that. Also, I haven't gotten financial aid because my mom hasn't been able to file taxes, but even with a decent package, I'd be in debt by graduation.</p>
<p>UNC, on the other hand, has a very strong journalism/mass comm school. The campus is familiar to me. I have countless UNC shirts/sweaters. I would graduate without any loans, even without the $2000 scholarship I got. But my problems with UNC are also pretty big. It is literally 5 minutes from my house, but I know that my college experience will be different than my high school one. I view college as another chance to have a clean slate, but I'd see so many people I know that it would be hard to just shake off my high-school self. Also, I know that 17000+ students is too big for me. </p>
<p>I'm surprised at how difficult making this choice is for me. If you asked me a month ago which one I'd go to, I'd say W&M in a heartbeat. But I honestly don't know anymore. I did the whole "coin flip but don't look, just which one your gut wants it to land on" thing, but my gut isn't telling me anything.
Both school have really good weekly papers, a cappella groups, and improv teams; things I'm hoping to do when I go to college. School sports really don't matter to me. </p>
<p>If anyone has advice for me, that would be extremely helpful. Thanks!</p>
<p>At the end of the day you have to go with the education. W&m not having your major is a much bigger issue than possible problems with fit at UNC. Graduating without debt is also something really important these days.</p>
<p>As for fit, I can’t say much for experience because I’m also an incoming freshmen. But from everything I’ve heard and seen on my visits, it is pretty easy to create your own close knit community while also being a part of the Carolina family. And I live about 30 minutes away and know quite a few people going as well. Some of them I would really rather never see again in my life. But my plan is to avoid them at all costs. With so many students, you wont see them all the time, if much at all. I don’t plan on extending my high school experience into college or even past graduation, and I’ve heard its pretty easy to do if you put a little effort in.</p>
<p>Of course I’m super biased because I am ridiculously excited for UNC, but I hope I helped a little. :)</p>
<p>A common misconception. The reality is that you can determine what you want your undergrad experience to be like in a school like UNC…in a much smaller school it is often difficult to do that. Some incoming students choose to hang out with their HS friends the first few weeks to help ease their transition and fears. A few keep that circle (generally those who go Greek with all their HS buddies) while the greater majority finds new friendships and relationships from people they meet in class, friends of friends, those with similar interests in clubs and associations etc…</p>
<p>What I am saying in short is, that it will only be like HS if you let it be that way.</p>
<p>Graduating debt free is a BIG deal especially since you’ll probably be needing a post grad degree and most grad schools offer loans only…there’s very little grants and scholarships outside the big name awards. Add to that your chosen major and the lack of a program at W&M and this is a no brainer…seriously.</p>
<p>Spend your time at CTOPS and during the first weeks of school branching out and meeting lots of new people…they are going through exactly what you are and are both eager and anxious to meet new people and make new friendships. Don’t let yourself be dragged into only hanging with former HS classmates.</p>
<p>Good luck with your first year, enjoy and make the most of it.</p>
<p>Journalist salaries are pretty paltry starting out, so no debt seems like a huge decision factor. And if you decide to change majors, UNC has pretty much everything except engineering.</p>