University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Top Questions

Describe the students at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Emily

Our campus is VERY involved in student organizations. It is important to join clubs when you come to UNC because that is a main way that students are social. UNC has mainly white, middle class students but there is diversity. I cannot speak for those students, but I feel like UNC is a very accepting and open-minded school to everyone. Students at UNC are politically aware - they are up to date on the news and will talk about it. They lean towards the left. Students are very focused on their futures. Many plan to go to school after they graduate and continue their education.

Kathy

Sorry, distance student. Wish at times that I had these opportunities, but I am an older adult with grown children, ages 21 and 23.

Ash

The variety of students and student groups at UNC is amazing. Granted, the population is still largely white, middle-class Protestants. However, the campus is more diverse in all of these areas than many are. There are students who separate themselves into groups based on race, religion, class, etc., but boundaries are always being crossed. It's possible that students who are involved in sub-cultures such as "punks," "goths," "emo kids," etc. may feel uncomfortable at UNC. Such groups are a minority at UNC, but with so many students on campus, everyone can find people to relate to. These groups often sort of separate themselves, but they will usually still interact positively with "different" students. An interesting point: A lot of students are in fraternities and sorrorities. However, most of the people who are not involved in Greek life hate "frat boys." Most students are very laid-back in terms of clothing, but there are also a lot of girls who would not be caught dead going to class without make-up and jewelry. A lot of students at UNC are very politically aware and active, and there is a definite lean to the left wing.

Ryan

UNC prides itself as one of the most diverse campuses in the state. Yes, we are diverse for the state, but it's not as diverse as they make it seem. We do have students from every walk of life, but mostly you see students sticking to their own racial groups, although there's more interminging than in most high schools. We do have a very strong GLBTQ community which isn't present at some universities in the South. Most students stick to jeans, t-shirts, and sandals for class, though on nice days women usually wear dresses or skirts. Sweats, boots, and sweatshirts are popular in the winter. You don't often see students wearnig pajamas to class, but it happens. You also see a lot of students wearing track shorts and tennis shoes. Basically, everything works. State law mandates that 82{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of undergraduates have to be from NC, but the out of state/country students also make a big impression on the school. Most students are from middle class familiies. Daily conversations that can be heard around campus range from the current presidental election to the Iraq War to the genocide in Darfur, to conversations in foreign languages. People here are very intelligent and worldly and it is reflected in their conversations.

Blake

Is so diverse! You'll find whatever type of people you'd like- snobby Greek, kind Christian people, stranger rockers, hard-core studier, normal cool people who just like to hang out, foreigners, prideful African Americans, athletes, etc. etc. etc. In general, they are all quite intelligent and are all overachievers- they had to be to get into UNC, whether in-state or out-of-state. I honestly don't think any student would feel out of place, so long as they seek out people that they like. Only once have I heard of a girl transfering- ONCE!- and it was to be with her boyfriend at another school.

Lauren

Compared to where I went to high school, there is such a diverse mix of people at UNC. Everywhere on campus different student groups have signs and advertisements inviting you to their meetings and events. The vast majority of students here are in-state. Although I am from out-of-state, I have encountered a lot of southern hospitality! In my social stratification class, my professor asked us why we decided to attend college, and almost everyone answered for the financial returns and benefits of having a college degree. The students are motivated to succeed after college!

Andrea

UNC likes to pull diverse groups together for dialogue. I have felt that some groups are excluded at times. There have been times when Arab students or African American students face a lot of tension. I'd say UNC is good about diversifying financial backgrounds though. Students are very politically aware and they're mainly left. Students dont really talk about later earnings.

Shane

The student body is very diverse, but willing to come together on certain issues. Since I've been here there have been a few tragedies and the students have always been there for each other. When our student body president was murdered this year we had a rememberance ceremony and I'll never forget joining arms with people I've never met and swaying to the alma mater.

Katie

The student body is very diverse, even though it is a public college. There are many organizations and programs that encourage intercultural interactions and mixing. There is very little prejudice or discrimination that takes place. Students are predominantly right-winged and liberal.

Jessica

Everyone seems to fit in at UNC. If you want to join a fraternity or sorority, then there are plenty to choose from, but UNC is not a school where you need to join one to make friends. UNC is very casual and laid back. People show up for class in dresses, buttoned-shirts and slacks, t-shirts and jeans, and even pajamas! No one really seems to stick to a single group of friends. Everyone has friends from various backgrounds and interests, and there are no cliques or crowds.

Christina

Honestly, there is someone from every different background at UNC. I came from a small, private school that 99{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} Caucasion. I know have friends of every different race, sexual orientation, and ethnicity. I love the diverse group, because I feel like there isn't a kind of student that would feel out of place at UNC. Most female students were a normal casual outfit to class, like jeans and a shirt, or sweatpants. Guys usually where a t-shirt or polo with jeans or khakis. A lot of UNC's students are from Raleigh or Charlotte. Most students are politically aware, regardless of whether they are liberal, conservative, or moderate. This may be different from the business school kids, but a majority of the people I have talked to are more concerned with finding a job that they love and/or making a difference rather than receiving a big paycheck.

Alex

UNC has everyone. People of differnt races, religions, sexual orientations and SES. Everyone's not rich, white, females. There are less of certain groups, but that is life. It is very easy to find people like you if you get out there and are social especially when you come in as freshmen. AS a minority I would suggest getting involved in pre-O a welcoming program for freshman minorities to meet each other and minority faculty and staff. Furthermore as minority there are programs that you may be invited to while you are still in HS and those can also help you see if UNC is right for you while getting to know others who might attend. There are racist/ignorant people who are bound to make some foolish comment during your time there--but that is also everywhere. Most of the time it's said more-so in ignorance and that's when you can educate (nicely or not depending on your personality). It's nice to be in classes that deal with things because the teachers usually let you discuss and when an ignorant white person makes a bigotted comment you can rebut immediatly and you'll usually have other minorities in there to applaud you who were thingking the same thing : ) Students politically and ideally are a mix from righ --with republicans, christian organizations etc.. to left with drag shows and Democratic student organizaitons...there is a place for anyone Student's are great...I have definately met many freinds for life in my time there and although I just graduatated I'll miss it all!

Brian

UNC has, without a doubt, the most diverse student body in the state of North Carolina. Every possible segment of the population is accounted for and represented by at least one if not several student organizations. Our university is such a melting pot that no one feels out of place because no one is truly a minority on campus. All groups interact because you cannot turn around without seeing someone who is different and unique. All groups on campus are given free reign to express their views and opinions, and for the most part all members of the campus are respectful and tolerant of the views of others. Most students at UNC are in-state because it is a state school. However, the out of state students fit right in with the student body and, in my experience, provide an excellent addition to the student body. Our student population is very opinionated besides being diverse. Most of the students know a lot about a lot of things, including some sensitive subjects like politics and religion. While this can lead to a lot of heated discussion, it also leads to the free exchange of ideas and an environment where people can learn quickly about those around them.

patrick

UNC is very diverse - but that doesn't mean that everyone mixes, really. Social friend networks are pretty divided between rich and poor, black and white, liberal and conservative. there are tons of opportunities to find the people like yourself though, whether you're black, out-of-state, gay, jewish, etc. as a whole i'd say that UNC leans a little to the left politically, but nobody will feel persecuted in any way. largely in-state students. out-of-staters have the reputation of being smarter than everyone else, but also elitist.

Nicole

The student body is pretty diverse. The liberal environment makes it a very safe place for people to figure out their own personal identities comfortably and feel open to share about anything. I can't imagine someone feeling out of place or trodden upon unless they tried to convert people to something unwelcome. For example, there is a "preacher" who comes on campus and has some pretty crazy religious views, including thinking women shouldn't attend. He usually gets a lot of backlash and student opposition. People aren't afraid to stand up for what they believe at UNC. Class is casual. Some people wear polos and khakis, others wear shorts and t-shirts. It's a pretty open environment to do what you wish. Money isn't much of an issue since UNC is often ranked the best school for the money. People attend based on intelligence and well-roundedness. I'd say the school leans to the left, politically.

Whitney

liberal *for the south*

Rebecca

You really have to keep an open mind on UNC's campus. Because the outside world perceives UNC as a bastion of liberal though and brainwashing, we get many interesting groups on campus that represent a variety of people. Often these groups are more close-minded than we are. You should not come to UNC if you are not willing to interact with people different than you or if you cannot change your definition of how the world is supposed to be. Be ready to defend what you believe in and learn to debate. If you do not keep up with the news or world events you may feel left out in some classes. The style at UNC is pretty casual. Most anything goes. Please do not wear swimsuits or their accoutrement to class. We can tell. Most UNC students come from a similar middle-class pedigree. They are fairly politically minded in the center-left direction=, but have a reputation of not voting.

Kathryn

Very diverse. Some people are very open minded and some people are not.

Mike

- Many students from the Charlotte area - Only about 18{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} from out of state - There's definitely a group of people for everyone who wants to come to UNC - Very diverse student body

Natasha

UNC prides itself on diversity and tolerance. I grew up in an area where caucasians constituted less than 20{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the population, so I feel like I have a very different view of diversity. UNC, on the other hand, is like 70{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} white, so they are WAY less diverse than they think they are. However, they do their best and are very accepting of ALL different types of people. Most students stick to their own kind of people, but it's not usually because there's any kind of animosity among the different groups. UNC students, on the whole, are very affluent, or at least give the appearance of being rich. This can be frustrating, but it's one of the few drawbacks of the school. Additionally, most people are liberal. There is definitely a vocal minority of really radical liberals, but for the most part, I'd say most people are reasonable and usually just fed up with the current administration and want to do something about the injustices they see in the world. It's a VERY service-oriented campus. If you're a conservative and you're worried about it, don't. Give it a couple of years at the school, and you'll have a completely different view of the world after Carolina has broadened your horizons.