Alex
It is definately in a college town since there's not much else in Chapel hIll. But since it's close to other big cities like Raleigh /Greensboro you can usually find things to do (nightlife) in other nearby places, plus college parties are great. If your not the type to go out parting and drinking UNC also offers many things like bringing in great concerts, speakers, book writers, movie showings b4 they are released/or currently in theaters for free...so there is always something to do and going on. People are generally really nice so getting know the people in your dorm or classes is sometimes a good place to start and hangout and develop friendships.
There are of course many organizations from greek life to dorm associations and cultural groups (hispanic, black, multicultural, indian, southeast asian, asian, etc..). Probably whatever your in to, they have an organizaiton for it and if they don't--you can eaisly start an organization as long as you have a few other people interested.
Every year of course lately basketball season is a big deal, there's naked streakers that runs through the library during exams, HOmecoming, Black Frat/soritites have probaits and step shows.
Frat/Sororoties are as important as you want them to be. I personally didn't get in one but my best friend along with many others Iknow did and we are still really close. It's just like another organization. But it's probably different depending on black/white frat/sorors becuase black greeks do not have housing like white ones. Also it is very hush-hush in black greek life if you want to be involved in it so don't blab that around when you 1st get to UNC. Some are harder to get into than others and of course listen around each one has it's own reputation, but you should make your decisions based on your research of the organizations and what they are really about.
Brian
There are thousands of clubs and organizations to join on campus in order to meet people. Not only that, but if there's a club that you want to be a part of that doesn't exist yet, it's really easy to get one formed. Our entire student body is very open and interactive. Dorm rooms are always open, people aren't afraid to walk up and start talking at events or at dinner, and everyone generally gets along. Athletic events are wildly popular on campus, especially basketball and football (with basketball being the hot ticket). Intramural sports are also very popular. The dating scene in Chapel Hill is very good. It's a college town full of college people, so everyone is just about the same age. Every bar or restaurant or place to hang out is full of people the same age looking for the same thing. Night life in Chapel Hill is very exciting because of the predominantly student population of the town. Franklin Street attracts most people on any given night, with plenty of places for underage and legal students alike. Partying basically encompasses the "weekends" (from thursday night to sunday morning), but it is not overly excessive. Our student body knows how to have a good time, without a doubt. Greek life is pretty big on campus, but not so big that you can't find something to do if you're not in a fraternity or sorority. There are frequent shows on campus or just off campus as well, and many venues that attract popular or new and upcoming bands to the area.
patrick
think of anything a college student could possibly want to do... there's already a club or organization doing it at UNC. i mean ANYTHING.
i met my closest friends throughout freshman year - many of them branching from people i met at orientation. orientation is the best opportunity you have to make friends, because that's what everyone else is trying to do, too.
you can party or study any night of the week. frat boys drink 7 nights a week, and then brag about it the next afternoon, and pre-med students study at least 5 nights a week.
Kathryn
There are so many clubs and activities for a student to get involved in and they cover a wide range of interests. Everyone could find a group to join and make a lot of friends through it. Sports are popular, particularly basketball but the other sports get a lot of attention too. In the dorms the study rooms often become a hang out area for other students on the floor to do their homework or just talk and take a break from studying. If you are trying to go out on a Tuesday, you definitely can but there will not be many people out to join you and your options are only really bars. People tend to take academics pretty seriously and around exam time or midterm time people stay in.
Mike
- Carolina Basketball
- House parties every weekend (unless you're 21, then you're probably at the bars)
- Tons of great bars on Franklin Street
- Hundreds of student groups geared towards getting students involved with almost anything anyone could be interested in
- Outstanding intramural program
- Very good dramatic arts program
- Free movies every weekend at the Student Union
Natasha
The beauty of the UNC campus is that no one (administration) cares what you do. For the most part, drinking laws are very loosely enforced and alcohol is pretty easily accessible. But that doesn't mean that all students drink. And it's not really a problem because no one drives. Frats are a pretty popular place to party if you're underaged (but girls, watch out if you go to a frat), as are friend's dorm rooms or places off-campus. Thursday is of course the big night of the week to party.
There are sooo many clubs on campus, but the unifying factor is that most students are involved in service work of some kind. This can be Habitat, the food shelter, women's shelter, Ronald McDonald house, or so many other things.
I though it was pretty hard to meet people on campus. Definitely get involved in some kind of club to meet people. Freshman mostly live on south campus, which almost has the amenities of a developing country, but it's a good way to meet other students your age, especially if you're an extrovert.
Franklin St. is the place to be.
Gene
Always alot to do, you just have to be open to different things. If you look you will find it.
Ashley
night life is good.
Meredith
Awesome Awesome Awesome. And if you're bored, you can go to Raleigh.
You don't have to drink to have fun, you don't have to party to have fun, (but don't let this dismay you, partying AND drinking are a lot of fun here too!)
Ellie
Basketball is humongously popular. Lots of parties. Weekends start on Thursdays. Tuesdays are big party nights too.
Erin
There are always thing going on either on campus or on Franklin St. Tuesday night is a big bar night, so a lot of people go out on Tuesdays. It's very easy to meet people at parties or through activities, although I personally have not made a lot of friends through my classes. My closest friends all lived on my hall my freshman year, and we're still good friends. There are plenty of things to do that don't involve drinking, including movies, 80's dance parties in your dorm room, etc. If you don't mind being around drinking but personally prefer not to drink, that's not a problem at all. I often go out with friends to parties or bars, and just dance and have a good time with friend, without drinking. If you really don't like to be around alcohol at all, there is substance-free housing, where you can meet people that share your beliefs.
Halloween is a huge deal at UNC. Most people have their costumes planned months in advance. Everyone goes out on to Frankling St to find their friends and to check out everyone's costumes.
Greek life is not necessarily important at UNC, but it's definitely visible. The frats party fairly often, and they also sponsor charity events on campus, so they're very visible. When I came to UNC, it was only 17{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} Greek (not really sure what the numbers are like now) but the Greek community is defintely a vocal minority.
Valerie
There are hundreds of clubs and activities, go the pit, get involved and emerge yourself into the glories of Carolina!
Kelly
I hang out with the Tar Heel Transfers. They're kind of clique-y. But they're cool, nonetheless.
People at my dorm don't leave their dorms open. I don't know anyone on my floor, except I know that my roommates have friends across the hall.
Dating is distracting. People are all too immersed in it; it causes more trouble than its worth.
I love theatre.
If I'm awake at 2am on a Tuesday, then I am trying to fall asleep.
I don't like partying. It's hard to find friends who share the same ideas, though. Apparently, EVERYONE parties.
julia
IM sports are very popular and pretty cool, im not in to many clubs because thats not exactly my type of thin. in some dorms they do and in some they dont, it depends. Athletic events more popular than are guest speakers but both are popular. i met my closest friends through a sorority and i think i would have been really upset if i had not joined. awake on a tuesday your either studying or drunk. some people party all the time and some people dont, there are both. its very possible to keep a balance for the most part because there are lots of fun things. Sororities and Frats are veryyyyy popular. the dating scene is nottt great for girls- there are frat boys, athletes, smart people who dont party and few in between.
Whitney
"The only thing good about Duke University is that it is twenty minutes away from Chapel Hill. " -Duke graduate. My personal fav quote.
Emily
Most popular groups on campus are Campus Crusade, Intervarsity, Acapella groups such as the Clef Hangers and Loreleis, College Republicans and Young Democrats. Athletic events are very popular, mostly basketball and football. Regardless of the successfulness of a team, the UNC spirit is present at all athletic events. Carolina Fever is an organization that students sign up for and receive points for attending athletic events. Those with the most points get basketball tickets. It's a great way for students to support all athletic events rather than just one or two sports.
Meg
Greek life is very popular. A huge percentage of the student body is in Greek life. Intramural and club sports are also very popular. I'm in Chi Omega & on the UNC Ski & Snowboard team. They both have really fun, outgoing groups of people. I love them both. Athletic events are really popular b/c we love to cheer for our Tar Heels. And we dominate, so it's fun to cheer on winning teams. People don't really "date" here. They either hook up, or go to things together & end up being boyfriend/girlfriend. Not too much dating though. I met my closest friends through Chi Omega. If I am awake on a Tuesday at 2AM, I am either studying or partying. People party a lot here, but don't overdo it. Last weekend, I went to a farm party that Phi Delt, Beta, DKE, and Phi Gam hosted. On a Saturday, if you don't want to drink, you can go to a movie at the Varsity Theater, or go to a club & dance. Off campus, you can shop, hike, camp, go to professional sporting events, grocery shop, etc.
Louise
Social life here is great! I am on the field hockey team, but I am also in a sorority. I love being a part of these two organizations because I have met so many different people. When people ask how I balance the two, it is so easy to answer because I have the best of both worlds.
Tristan
the social life here is the best of any campus i have ever visited. There is bowling, bars, socials, fund raising dances, lectures, forums, sing along karoke, sports teams for the competitive and non competitive. There is never a dull moment.
Tiffany
Sororities are fun and a great way to meet people. Be true to who you are and you will make the best friends in them.