<p>We have created this dedicated forum where our visitors can talk about all things UNC-Wilmington. We hope you find this forum useful. Thanks!</p>
<p>How tough is it for OOS to get into the film program? Typically, what GPA and SAT scores do OOS student have?</p>
<p>My d is an out of stater who was recently admitted. She applied there thinking it looked like an interesting place-a mix of decent academics and fun surroundings. We plan to visit in the Spring, but in the meantimes, can anyone offer any insights into what life is like at UNCW?</p>
<p>My kids don’t go to UNCW but have friends who do. They all seem to love it. Wilmington is a nice town with some beautiful historic areas. Of course Wrightsville Beach is literally minutes away. College at the beach is hard to beat :)</p>
<p>One possible detractor is that there’s no football at UNCW so if a kid is looking for a “rah,rah…school spirit” sports atmosphere there is not as much of that there.</p>
<p>D got into UNC Wilmington. Does anyone how strong the academics are and whether film students get internships with Screen Gems East? D is not into the beach so that aspect holds no attraction.</p>
<p>UNCW doesn’t have top-tier academics in every field but depending on what you want to study it can be the right place to come and study. Overall its a great school, especially in comparison to other public schools in NC. Forbes ranked it as the 2nd best public school in NC next to UNC-Chapel Hill. The biggest strengths of the school are its marine biology, biological sciences, and film studies programs. A lot of UNCW’s strengths come from its location. Because it’s located in Wilmington, a coastal city, it has really great marine programs that have a great national reputation. Also, film studies @ UNCW is highly regarded. Wilmington has one of the best film industries in the country so that program draws a lot of people. One of the great things about UNCW is that the atmosphere is very laid-back and relaxed. There’s a decent amount of school spirit but like PackMom said if you’re looking for a “rah,rah” kind of school, you wont see much of it here. Also, the university is relatively new and there are great facilities. UNCW is constantly expanding and getting better and better each year. The University should be on track to finish a new nursing building this year. Even though UNC-W is in the south, it’s really not as “southern” as one might think. To be honest, the culture around campus is one that you would find at a place like Southern California. The weather is great, and the beach is a place where people just get together and hang out at. There are a lot of surfers and really mellow people here that have a great time. If you study hard and are a great student, you can easily graduate with a 3.9+, so the academic rigor really shouldn’t be an issue. If you’re into biological sciences, especially Marine Biology, I highly recommend UNCW. Don’t write off the school, come for a campus visit and see if you like it yourself, it really is a great place. At one time, the university used to be known as a party school, but its reputation has changed a lot and it’s now one of the premier academic institutions in NC.</p>
<p>Hope that helps anyone who’s interested in UNCW. BTW, I’m a local here and I have a lot of friends that go to UNCW, so I’m familiar with the place.</p>
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The academics at the school are relatively easy, especially in comparison to other colleges in NC. The Film Studies and Marine Biology programs at UNCW are highly regarded and are probably the best in the region next to Duke or UNC-Chapel Hill. As for the internships, I would call or email a local professor. Either way, there are a lot of internships that you can find at UNC-W. Wilmington has a great film industry and a lot of shows and programs are filmed here, so I doubt that it would be a problem to find a good internship.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info. My S is applying as a transfer from NJ for this coming Fall though we have yet to visit. I have heard UNC Wilmington referred to as a “suitcase school.” What is your take on that?</p>
<p>To be honest…I think that it is a “suitcase” school. [The</a> College Board](<a href=“College Search - BigFuture | College Board”>College Search - BigFuture | College Board) says that roughly a third of students live on campus. But I’d say that only ~25% actually live on campus, and those who do are usually OOS students. Personally, I know very few students who live on campus. Most of the students I know live in local apartments(or beach houses). There really isn’t too much to do on campus, so during weekends very few people will stay on campus, unless it is for a special event. Most people are either out partying, or at the beach, or doing something around Wilmington.</p>
<p>Thank you for the info. Are you familiar with any good resources for help with off campus housing - i.e. management or rental companies. This is our first experience with “transferring.” I’m wondering how my s will find some place to live (and someone to live with) if he is brand new to the area, or do you advise living on campus for his first semester? Would UNCW have a Transfer Day where he might learn about some potential living arrangements?</p>
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Call the campus for any help with moving. I’m not familiar with any particular companies but UHaul is nice for moving, and PODS is a nice portable storage resource.</p>
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I would recommend living on campus for the first semester so he can get a feel for the place and make some friends before moving out to an apartment. UNCW has really nice dorms and most of them are new.</p>
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I don’t know if UNCW has a transfer day, per se. I’m personally not familiar with anything of the sort. I would call to find out. If your son hasn’t already, he should tour and visit the campus. Besides seeing how the place looks, he could also ask questions to the tour guide or get more info about any living arrangements.</p>
<p>Hope that helps.</p>
<p>I couldn’t disagree more! UNCW totally has top-tier academics! My brother just finished his Bachelor’s in Business from UNCW, graduating last weekend. He’s headed to RTP for his first job as a pharmaceutical sales rep – and beat out not only Carolina and Duke graduates for the job, but was told in his interview that they like to see UNCW grads because of the internship experiences they have.</p>
<p>Also, going to high school in the area of UNC Chapel Hill, I knew a lot of people last year who were denied from UNCW and got into places like Elon, NC State, and App State. UNCW is just as competitive to get into as UNC Chapel Hill!</p>
<p>^I agree. UNCW has really had a dramatic rise in status during the past couple of years. Just a decade ago people thought of it as a party school out near to the beach, but now it’s gained a much better reputation. UNCW is constantly expanding, growing, and bettering itself, even while the economy is down. While some universities are cutting back, UNCW has been able to lay plans for a new nursing building, and they have just recently added a full fledged psychology building and department. It’s really exciting to be a Seahawk these days</p>
<p>“UNCW is just as competitive to get into as UNC Chapel Hill!”</p>
<p>I love UNCW - But your nuts… </p>
<p>UNCW is a good school and has some very good programs but lets not get carried away, and statements like that will get you carried away in a straight jacket… </p>
<p>Depending on the program, it’s relatively easy to get denied from UNCW (nursing for example). So that may explain some of your other comparisons, but UNCW can stand on it’s own as a good school without the my school is so great because it denied my friend game…</p>
<p>I can recommend UNCW without reservation. Go SeaHawks.</p>
<p>Thanks for setting this up. I am a hopeful future student at uncw and visiting the campus for the first time next week. We will be staying in Wilmington overnight. Does anyone have any advice for what we should do? Are there are any programs for visiting students to participate in besides the formal tour?</p>
<p>My D is filling out forms now and has no idea. Also, during the orientation during the Summer, is that when you sign up for classes?</p>
<p>gagirl66, I have the same questions. My son has finally decided on UNCW over Virginia Tech (although I was hoping for VT.) I just sent the $100 enrollment fee and the $105 housing contract fee. We are now trying to decide on housing - Graham/Hewlett vs University Suites. I am leaning to the suites, since he can have his own bedroom, but since we are OOS (New Yorkers living in MD) I want to make sure he is exposed to the maximum number of Freshman. He is an avid lacrosse player, which should be helpful in meeting people, but I am so torn on the dorm choices. Has your daughter decided yet?</p>
<p>After visiting a couple of times, Graham-Hewlett is where she put as her first choice</p>