<p>I am currently a high school senior wondering whether or not I should attend UVA or UNC. I am a North Carolina resident, but UVA is apparently stronger in my intended major (foreign affairs)? Cost is also a really big factor.
Any insight would be appreciated.
Thank you!</p>
<p>Both are excellent schools, and you really can’t go wrong with either of them. Since you’re a NC resident, it will be MUCH easier for you to get into UNC than it will be for you to get into UVA. Obviously if you’re accepted into UNC and not UVA, your decision will be very easy. </p>
<p>UVA meets full demonstrated need, so depending on your financial situation, UVA could be a feasible option. Have you visited either?</p>
<p>As the previous poster said both are excellent schools. You are asking a question that most struggle with only after they have acceptance(s) in hand. As the saying goes “You don’t pick them, they pick you.”. Absolutely apply to both, see where you’re accepted and how the financial aid package(s) play out. Then you can go though this process. Right now you’re spinning wheels with no possibility of getting anywhere and expending energy you really need elsewhere during your Sr year. </p>
<p>Best of luck! :)</p>
<p>UNC in state admission acceptance rate is 45+%. UVA OOS admission rate is in the low 20% range.</p>
<p>Sticker price to attend UNC in state is $23k. Sticker for UVA OOS is about $55k.</p>
<p>Go ahead and apply to both (as well as some other out of state or private schools). But focus on getting into UNC first and foremost. UNC in-state is one of the best cost/value propositions in all of U.S. higher education – make sure you don’t mess that up.</p>
<p>I’ve applied to Duke and Georgetown, but was unsure whether or not to apply to UNC/UVA. Thank you so much for your advice! :)</p>
<p>You may want to take a look at the admission stats for Duke last year. I recall that there was a very large advantage for early decision applicants.</p>
<p>A number of colleges, such as Penn, provide a huge advantage to binding early decision applicants. As of 2 years ago, Penn filled up half their freshman class with binding early decision. I really hate binding early decision policies - there is too much chance that a student’s interests will evolve and change during the course of their senior year, particularly as they learn more about each college.</p>
<p>Yes, apply to Duke, UVa and UNC-CH, along with plenty of colleges that are BOTH academic and financial safeties. Hopefully, you will get a choice and be able to compare net price. I wouldn’t pay $25,000 or more a year for any one of them over the other.</p>
<p>Even if you are the second coming of Einstein, an app list of just Duke, Georgetown, UVA and UNC is not a good idea. All tough to get into (although UNC for you is easier). All very expensive sticker prices (although UNC for you is less). Very possible you could wind up without a single school that you could get accepted at and be able to pay for. Admissions and aid can be quite unpredictable.</p>
<p>Safety school means one that you can both attend AND pay for.</p>
<p>Lili, UNC is an amazing school that kids from all over the country are clamoring to get into. I agree with some of the above posters. Work very hard on your UNC application. Very hard. But you still need a few safety schools… George Washington? Texas Christian? SMU?</p>
<p>For many students in most states, a really good OOS state school like Virginia makes good sense, if you can get in. North Carolina is one of the exceptions, along with California and Michigan. Be glad you have such a good flagship school in-state. And good luck with the other apps!</p>
<p>Knight, I’m not sure if I would put the UCs in the same league as UVA or UNC. I know they are highly rated and Berkeley and UCLA are very esteemed. But they are HUGE schools with a desperate need for a housing remodel, smaller class sizes, an infusion of school spirit and more personal student attention. And… the UCs are broke! I would love other opinions but after spending time on all four campuses last year, they really don’t feel the same to me.</p>
<p>Interesting Living61. UVa and Berkeley had a rivalry for 30 years over which is the best public university. I had assumed that UVa was better for undergraduate education, but that Berkeley was better for many types of graduate education, such as fields involving scientific research.</p>
<p>If you look at one measure of 6 year graduation rates, UVa, Berkeley and UCLA are very close. However, if you look at 4 year graduation rates, UVa is way ahead of Berkeley and UCLA. </p>
<p>[Table</a> | College Completion](<a href=“Student Outcomes”>Student Outcomes)</p>
<p>Charlie, I think your assessment of Uva and UNC for undergraduate and Berkeley for graduate sounds right. Don’t get me wrong… I understand that Berkeley and UCLA are amazing schools but they just don’t quite have the total package. IMHO</p>
<p>…my daughter is at UVA…it is a good school and a good value, but let’s not get silly! UCLA and Berkley are outstanding schools…as are VA Tech and JMU…the only issue I have here is the sheer snobbery…what matters is what you do with your degree after college, not where you earned your degree</p>
<p>You should attend UNC…it is cheaper and just as good…</p>
<p>If cost is a consideration, not applying to the NC schools is overlooking a great value. So would be not applying to the VA schools if you were a Virginia resident. Honestly, both schools are fantastic, and comparing the costs, if you are accepted, is wise.
Only applying to such highly selective colleges is risky. It would be wise to include some more instate options, or less selective colleges that would likely be affordable to you.</p>
<p>“the only issue I have here is the sheer snobbery”</p>
<p>Not sure where you are seeing snobbery, ltjenkins. Perhaps you could allow some posters to express opinions in favor of UVa on this forum without calling them names. Charlie’s point about graduation rates of California public schools is valid – and discussed frequently across CC.</p>
<p>Take it from the parent of a OOS 1st year. The admissions process is fickle at best and impossible to understand at worst. In the grand scheme, it costs little to apply to both schools so I would advise applying and then making your decision after all the acceptances have rolled in. I won’t bore you with my Ds stats but UNC was her only denial out of six applications submitted – it’s a highly competitive application process, especially for OOS. You have the advantage of having a great flagship in your home state and when you start looking out of state it’s a whole new ball game. Good luck to you!</p>
<p>And to address the “snobbery” of UVa. My D is the only 1st year from her TX high school. She would tell you that the Virginia kids have been very welcoming. She had Virginia girls on her hall inviting her to their homes over fall break because they knew she wasn’t going home. As a parent I’m so thankful she now has other close by parents available to her should the need arise. If I’m going to generalize, it’s the TX that seem to really stick together. I’m assuming UVa is no different from any other campus; there are friendly and not so friendly people.</p>
<p>“the only issue I have here is the sheer snobbery”</p>
<p>Lighten up Jenkins. If it wasn’t for college snobbery, there’d be hardly any posts on CC!</p>
<p>Hoos love to look down on the Hokies and Tarheels (both of whom roll their eyes when hearing of “THE University” and “Mr. Jefferson” and “THE Grounds.” Dookies look down on Hoos and Hokies and Tarheels. HYP look down on Brown and Cornell (derided as a state school).</p>
<p>If you watch the Big Bang Theory, you know that all the Cal Techers and MITers constantly make fun of dummy Leonard for “only” going to Princeton…</p>
<p>Ha ha good post nothwesty</p>