<p>I don't know if this has been discussed before, but what are the pros/cons of University of Virginia versus University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill....My daughter has expressed an interest in both (loves the area).</p>
<p>WOW. I was JUST about to post this exact thread. These are my two tops right now. They are very similar...and both GREAT schools!! :)</p>
<p>Well, let's see. One of those places is considered the Southern part of Heaven, and--well-- then there's the other place. Does that help? ;)</p>
<p>You might also want to check the thread on "Kiplinger's Best Deals 2007," where Chapel Hill is ranked #1 (with UVA at #4).</p>
<p>Thanks Jack...Unfortunately, we are out-of-state, so I know it will be very difficult for my daughter to get in.</p>
<p>Do you have a few more specifics, like maybe what she might want to study, or what she's looking for in a school? Sports, EC interests? They are similar but there may be some individual things that make one come out ahead for her. It's a little hard to say offhand otherwise. I guess I'd say that UNC is more sports oriented than UVA, I mean it's not quite like some schools, but more so than UVA IMO. That could be pro or con. UNC has NCAA gymnastics, and UVA has club (NAIGC) not that that matters to 99% of people lol but that's about as far as I go with sports here.</p>
<p>curiousmother: As I'm sure you know, UVA is a fairly difficult admit from out-of-state as well, though they do accept more than UNC. UNC's out-of-state percentage is actually somewhat higher than the 18% that's always stated. Since the NC legislature decided to consider every out-of-state merit (including athletic) scholarship student in-state for tuition purposes, this has essentially raised the percentage of out-of-state students accepted--to something closer to 22-23% (kind of a back door way of raising that 18% cap). Of course, this is still less than UVA's out-of-state acceptance rate, but again--UVA is also a difficult admit, unless you are in-state.</p>
<p>Virginia preppier, a bit more old school, old establishment. UNC a bit more of that southern, looser feel. UVA will have more established reputations, same with UVA grad schools. UNC more up and coming academically. UVA traditionally considered more of a southern Ivy forever. UNC getting there esp. over the past 15 years, but also takes a back seat to Duke academically. NC better rock and roll. VA better L Pulitzer.</p>
<p>PopiEph,
Thanks...I like your descriptions! I guess we'll have to visit both and see what feels right! DD is only a Sophmore in H.S., so we still have some time!</p>
<p>They're both excellent schools and very comparable at the undergraduate level. I can answer specific questions about UVA, if you have any.</p>
<p>I have specifc concerns about the UVA student body -- perhaps too snobbish and preppy?</p>
<p>PopiEph: I love your comment about UNC as "up and coming academically," with UVA and its grad schools with a more "established" reputation. Huh? You've got to be kidding me. You're not biased by any chance, are you? That's a very funny (and rather ludicrous) comment.</p>
<p>I honestly wouldn't turn around for the difference in a UVA or UNC-CH undergraduate education. I think the big difference between the two is atmosphere. Also, UVA has a smaller undergraduate population--~12,000 (I <em>believe</em>), with UNC around 16,000. I also think Chapel Hill (the town) is much more interesting and vibrant than is Charlottesville. I agree she should visit, but I also agree with the poster who mentioned other considerations, like what she might want to study. All things being equal, if I lived in NC, I'd choose UNC; if I lived in VA, UVA--unless a great merit scholarship is awarded at one and not the other. I can't imagine living in one of these states and spending the money to attend the other school as an out-of-state student.</p>
<p>I agree with cavalier, though. Both "excellent schools and very comparable at the undergraduate level."</p>
<p>Need to visit. UVA was the only school that we crossed out of our list after visit (too much history, if there can be such a thing). UNC stayed.</p>
<p>Can you give us a little background on both your visits, datadriven? :) Thanks!</p>
<p>We are from Texas, so both schools are out-of-state! DD thinks UT is just WAY too big!</p>
<p>dd--</p>
<p>Was it that whole Mr. Jefferson's college thing? Actually that's a little easier to take at UVA than W&M where the campus is overrun with tourists due to the Wren Hall bus stop.</p>
<p>first things first - since ur daughter is OOS at both, see if she gets into both before even trying to figure this out. both schools are very difficult to get into OOS.</p>
<p>if she does get into both i really recommend you go visit the two schools. ive been to UNC once in my life for a party and i had a really good time - also the duke unc basketball rivalry is much more fun to watch than the uva virginia tech football rivalry (i.e. unc wins most of the time versus uva losing most of the time).</p>
<p>id say uva has a better reputation than unc, but by far unc is the more well known school.</p>
<p>besides the fact that unc has about 4000 more undergrads, they're pretty similar.</p>
<p>I would choose UNC over UVA in a HEARTBEAT! Nothing beats UNC school spirit and I miss it so...</p>
<p>As a UNC graduate (graduate school) and a (sometime) resident of Virginia I say you can't make a mistake here. UVA has a higher percentage of OOS than UNC. Choosing one over the other would just be a matter of personal taste unless there is a program you are interested in that is significantly better in one school.</p>
<p>I know of several people who had considered UVA but crossed it off the list immediately after visiting, so I agree that a visit is definitely needed.</p>