University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Top Questions

Every school has their stereotypes. Here we look at a few recent trends (Uggs tucked into sweatpants=GROSS) and also discuss an overwhelming stereotype of how UNC students dress.

I would say they really are all true in their own way. This is a well-known school, and people are really proud of their University, and this sometimes manifests itself as elitism. I found this annoying when I ran into it. But that wasn't too often--you can join in or stay away, really. There are really smart people, but 80{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the Freshmen classes have to be NC residents, which means that the standards for students applying as in-state residents are much lower than for out-of-state. Everyone at Carolina is smart--it's just something to keep in mind, especially if you're from out-of-state (and there are still PLENTY of out-of-staters). There is technically a high girl-to-guy ratio...some girls claim that guys act differently because of this. I 50{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} agree. but most college guys are assholes no matter where you go, and really, you only need one. I went to a different University for my first 2 years and transferred. I expected classes to be about the same, despite reputations. But it really was different--class discussions were more interesting, people actually did their readings, and professors graded papers a bit more harshly (depending on the professor, of course). I would say it was maybe 10{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} more difficult. But much more interesting academically. Carolina Basketball is to live for! It is awesome, maybe not worth going to the school just for that, but it is quite amazing to get to go to the games for free (or, the fee your parents pay...).

Carolina students discuss stereotypes of their campus.

Carolina students discuss stereotypes of their campus.

Personally, I think it's true that there isn't as much diversity at UNC as there could be, but this will never change much as long as in-state students make up over 75{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of every incoming class. I got a fine education at Carolina of which I am quite proud, and I don't think that Duke students are any smarter than UNC students for having gone there. The girl/guy ratio at UNC is somewhere between 60/40 and 65/35, and yes, I would say that in general, Carolina girls are quite pretty. Some ARE belles who want to marry a frat boy, but mostly they stick to the sororities. And the stereotype about UNC students being happy and loyal to Carolina is unquestionably true. Yes, every once in a blue moon, you'll run across an in-state student who only came because it was cheap and resents it, but for the overwhelming majority of students at UNC, there is nowhere else they'd rather be.

Basketball is a way of life, and all people should embrace it at UNC. Yes, all the students are brilliant

decent amount of gay guys and prob less than half preppy. most everyone is pretty hippie-ish

Yes

yes!

while this town is definately drinking saturated with over 42 bars in just a few mile strip right beside the university, it is also a very socially responsible, and diverse area. it has so much to offer from a rockin music scene, to the really really free market in carrboro, the tons of organic food spots, cheap student food spots, tons of great coffee shops, amazing weather and blue skies, a gorgeous campus, and of course the carolina tar heels basketball which is nothing like you have ever experienced. maybe that environment makes us feel a little superior, but honestly, i think the people here are so friendly that the snob rap isn't fair.

Not entirely. As with any large university, many different social groups exist, such as the Greeks, the Science nerds, the Indie kids, and just your regular 20-something year old college student. Some people definitely are snotty and spoiled, but those adjectives do not encompass our entire student body. Although we have a reputation as being a party school, I do not believe that this is the focus of students' efforts. If you wish, you definitely could party seven nights a week; you just have to know where to look.

In my comparison, yes, but obviously not everyone.

not really true for the girls (although there are a lot of dumb sorority girls) the campus is very attractive, though, with lots of very healthy students

Most stereotypes have some accuracy, but like all stereotypes, they're mass generalizations and not really true. If anything, these stereotypes largely fit the Greek scene, but other than that, no. But I will say that almost all of the students are liberal, so if you're a conservative, be prepared!

I somewhat agree with rich and pretentious, because there are some students who are, well, rich and pretentious, but I think that you'd find that anywhere. I do, however, agree that the university is not as diverse as it makes itself out to be, or at least the students aren't. I don't really mean diversity in an ethnic sense, because it shouldn't really matter what color your skin is, but there does seem to be a lack in (I guess you'd call it) social diversity. Whereas people don't seem to judge you based on your ethnicity, I do think that the fraternity system, though it may have its perks, has a big effect on behavior and the way that people dress, which leads to a kind of high-school, clique mentality that I didn't expect to see in college. I know that school spirit is supposed to create unity and bond people together, but I think that sports events, fraternities, and sororities have the side effect of suppressing individuality, which is an important element lacking in our society today. But that's just what I think.

No, UNC is full of diverse people from differing backgrounds socially, culturally, and economically.

There are definitely many liberal students and organizations on campus, but at the same time, there is a broad spectrum of ideas represented among the many organizations on campus.

fairly so.

for the most part.

Chapel Hill is definitely a liberal place, which I considered a good thing, but if you are more conservative, you'll be able to find someone who shares your views since it's such a big campus. Compared to most other North Carolina schools, such as NC State, UNC does seem to be frattier. By fratty, I mean guys in their pastel polo shirts with croakies and girls in their sundresses with giant sunglasses. However, UNC is way less fratty than schools like Duke and UVA, and in reality, only around 15{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of UNC students actually belong to a Greek organization, so the Greek presence is not overpowering. UNC is about 60/40 girls/guys, so it's true that there are more girls than guys, but it really just depends on your major as to whether or not you feel that ratio. Dating in college is never easy, but I never considered the ratio to be a real problem.