@Pastpower Is it true that UNC’s computer science department is overcrowded? And as a student, do you think it’s true that it is hard to get the classes that you want for computer science?
@blazinamazin2023 My suitemate and a few of my friends who are comp sci majors have never really complained of the department being “overcrowded.” As a first semester freshman, class registration is just brutal because of the sheer numbers of people and because you’re last on the totem pole, but it gets miles better as you go along. This idea of “overcrowding” is definitely not an issue, if you’re a comp sci major you’re going to get the classes you need and then some so I wouldn’t worry about that at all.
@blazinamazin2023 In the NC state school system, the engineering flagship is NC State. UNC-CH does not offer an engineering program except for Biomedical Engineering (I believe it is a joint program with NC State). So UNC does not have an engineering focus at all.
I cannot speak for the CS program since I have no knowledge of it.
In general, it can occasionally be challenging to get the courses you need when YOU want them. However, you can get all the courses you need provide you plan well and keep on top of your requirements. You can graduate in four years. Actually, if you don’t, you need to apply for permission to continue. UNC wants you out and done in eight semesters. This is why the registration system is based on the number of completed semesters. While it makes it tough for freshmen, it allows the upperclassmen to get the classes they need.
I know of several students (in-state) studying Computer Science at UNC because they were not accepted at NC State. At least for NC students, GA Tech is at least as competetive. Can’t speak about Purdue.
There’s no really objective way to compare schools (in a similar range) when you’re trying to assess if it’ll be a good fit- it’s all very subjective. My student might love UNC, yours might not. One might thrive there, another might not. That said, yes, it’s a very expansive, beautiful campus (think William & Mary, on a larger scale). The class size in the first year is large (my son’s Comp Sci had nearly 300), but the honors classes and seminars were only 35-40 strong. We’ve been told the class size only gets smaller. The dorms can be cramped, but that’s the case with most older schools, like UVA and WM, too. UNC, UVA, WM, U Mich- are all very comparable schools. But UNC especially is hard to get into, for OOS students. I believe they have an in-State mandate of 84%.
@blazinamazin2023, OP’s son is interested in liberal arts. If there’s a stem question, it should be its own thread. See how this thread has been diverted now.
OP, UNC-CH is a great school. But Niche and guide books are less important than reviewing what the college actually says and shows. Check his possible course interests, prof backgrounds and research interests/whether they’re active in their fields. Look at on-campus activities, events, clubs, special opps for students, etc.
- everyone should always apply to their state flagships if they are decent and cost less but…
UNC is a really nice and fairly large campus. The people in Chapel Hill are really nice in general and this rubs off to faculty and staff and even the janitors on campus. I believe out of state tuition and fees are about 36K, so even for OOS that’s cheaper by 10K or more from most of the other private schools. The education is rigorous and thorough with a touch of liberal arts attitude. There are all types of kids and activities so everyone should find their niche. Weather is much better than northeast or midwest. Lots of majors and schools (business, pharmacy, nursing, dental at UNC; pretty much everything but non-biomedical engineering and veterinary med. at NC State).
cons- early intro classes are large, Most freshmen and sophomores will not get all their classes. If you have the ability to take a summer session or two that will really make the 4 years more enjoyable (fewer units per semester, maybe get harder to enroll class etc…). The OOS students who get into UNC usually have identical stats to those in the bottom half of the ivy league.
For computer science (NOT computer/electrical engineering which is at NC State) I’ve heard it’s generally fine and is unique to be doing it in a liberal arts type background.
Thanks, anon, for that info. She is interested in liberal arts, so for lots of reasons it definitely seems worth applying .
@silverpurple last thing is UNC is 59/41 female/male. Like Brown University, there are about 50% more female applicants; however, UNC doesn’t try to have 50/50 student body. (Brown is 54/46) The reverse application pattern happens at strong engineering schools (MIT/Cal Tech). (but MIT balances Gender enrollment, caltech doesn’t)
a small thing but just another bit of information.
@silverpurple We are from NY and actually went down to visit Duke ( since UNC is only 6 miles away we went to see it) My D applied ED to Duke and was deferred but also applied EA to UNC. It was so beautiful there. The kids were nice, happy , and there programs that are available are amazing . Binghamton is a dump compared to UNC . No comparison. Of course for the cost being in state , Binghamton is a great option , but it is not in the same league as UNC . If we were OOS , I would not even consider Binghamton over UNC. You should visit and you will clearly are why UNC is such a top rated state school .
I have to agree with @vickyvic1. The flagship public schools in the northeast are good values, but schools like UNC, UVA, Michigan, etc. are special in a way that you almost need to experience to understand. We are from NY and D choose uva with OOS tuition over Binghamton. Every time I visit UVA I wonder why anyone would come back. D’s teammate is at UNC - similar experience.
@blazinamazin2023 UNC can’t be criticized for not being as engineering focused as N.C. State or GT…because UNC does not have engineering, other than BME ( joint program with N.C. State). There is no engineering major at UNC like there is at many other schools. Apples and oranges.
Binghamton is a great school and a good value to those living instate. Graduates get very good jobs and go on to grad school etc. But…that being said…it is my opinion that the overall experience will be very different at UNC. You have to determine what you want from a particular college.
there are some rare kids (typically from OOS) who do BME at UNC and add physics and math minors and go on to top Masters engineering programs. However, most in state kids go NC state for engineering since it has like 15 undergrad engineering majors. However, someone with strong STEM interests can take a lot of physics, math, BME stuff at UNC.