University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Top Questions

I wanted the true "college" experience - the grassy quad where students eat lunch and play frisbee, the busy college street with ecclectic restaurants and shops, great athletics with loyal fans, and a broad range of departments and classes to choose from. UNC definitely offers everything I wanted and much more. I love the history of the campus as the oldest public university in NC with the Old Well and other campus buildings. The feeling on campus is energetic, with so many organizations and volunteer opportunities and sporting events, the biggest problem is how to fit them all in!

Everything happens in UNC-CH. If you're into it, it's there. If you're passionate about taking care of the sick and homeless, there'll be opportunities to get plugged in - if you love singing a cappella rock music, there are eight or nine groups to try out for - if you are passionate about anime-ninja-fantasy-baseball card collecting, there's probably an anime-ninja-fantasy-baseball card collecting group with at least twelve members. There's even a pirate club. UNC-CH is an amazing opportunity to see complicated perspectives that you would never have seen otherwise - its a place to do what you love and see how other people love what they do. To challenge your viewpoint and see how it fits in, how it helps others, how it doesn't.

it's a big school and can be easy to lose yourself in the wide options of things to do. everyone is very enthusiastic about unc.

When I applied to college, UNC was the only school I applied to with more than 6000 undergrads - I always thought I wanted to go to a mid-sized school rather than a large state school. But after four years, UNC didn't seem big at all - it was the perfect size. There are enough people that you can always be meeting people and doing new things, but it's not so big that you feel lost. My favorite thing about UNC was the people. It really is such a diverse place, and not just racially. People come from all different backgrounds and have such different interests that it makes being a student here so interesting. One reason I am so glad I chose UNC was the school spirit. Going to basketball games and cheering your guts out and hating Duke all year long is so much fun. My freshman year we won the basketball national championship, and it's indescribable. I'm definitely glad I came to UNC and can always be a proud Tar Heel rather than going to a good school but one that no one has that same kind of school spirit. I love UNC's campus. The upper and lower quad on North Campus are absolutely beautiful, and it feels so nice to sit out there in the sunshine before or after classes during the fall and spring. UNC's campus is relatively big, but it's all walkable, and it gets better every year as new construction helps connect South Campus (where most freshmen live) to North Campus (where most classrooms are). Chapel Hill is without a doubt a great college town. The town exists for the sake of the university, which I loved. When I think of Chapel Hill, I basically just think of Franklin St and everything associated with the university, but there are lots of cool surrounding areas too. The town of Carrboro, which starts about a mile from campus, has a great hippie feel, and Durham is only about a 15 minute drive to get to shopping like a great mall, Target, etc. This year, our student body president, Eve Carson, was murdered not far from campus. This event was absolutely shocking, because in no way is Chapel Hill considered a violent place, and because Eve was one of the most amazing people you could ever meet. Eve was the kind of student who embodied Carolina - friendly, passionate, dedicated, brilliant, fun, beautiful, and caring. The Carolina community truly came together after this tragedy, and she won't be forgotten. I hope no prospective student fears coming to UNC because of this violent act, because it was the rarest of all occurences, and I definitely still feel safe in Chapel Hill.

UNC is like a small city. A city where most people are intelligent, friendly, and enjoy having a good time. It is LARGE. You will not meet everyone. Don't try to. It is the New York City of NC universities (maybe even of the whole Mid-Atlantic). If you feel lost in crowds, forget it. Expect lots of studying, but lots of social opportunities to accompany it. There is so much variety that you can find the right groups for you. If you love beautiful campuses, than this is your school. It is absolutely gorgeous. There is an amazing amount of school pride. It is the biggest unifier on campus.

UNC is one of my favorite places I've ever been. Not only is the campus beautiful, the people at UNC make it truly a "priceless gem". - The best thing about UNC is it being in the south... Great weather, Great people. - One thing I'd change is that Duke people come to UNC a lot to have a good time because there school is a little sub-par. I'm not a fan of the Dookies. - I love the size of UNC. I wanted a big state school. I like meeting new people almost everyday. However I made the campus smaller by getting involved in campus activities. I suggest that if you come to UNC, you do the same because it makes the experience better and its so easy to get involved. - People react as if they wished they went to Carolina when I tell them that I go to UNC. Its one of the best public universities in the USA. - I can't pick one place where I spend most of my time. I'm all over campus everyday. Never do the exact same thing twice. - Chapel Hill is a College Town through and through. Everything revolves around the school. Whether it is the football or basketball games, research at the grad schools, or the economy being driven by the students. Chapel Hill = College Town. - The school pride is ridiculous. TarHeels are some of the best fans. In football and basketball season the whole University bans together in one Carolina Family.

UNC is great because there is a great unity on campus due to the fact that everyone at UNC loves UNC and feels so privlegded to be here. The campus is beautiful, however, there is always construction. Recently a couple new buildings have gone up and they are really nice to study at. The new Chemistry building (Chapman) and The health siences library. Our gym facilities are also really nice. The whole town of Chapel Hill revolves around the college and it give a feeling of community, which is nice and helps each student feel conntected to the town and not just the college. Also, the night life is right on the edge of campus and always active. Franklin Street on Halloween is strange to say the least but one thing each student will probably never forget.

The location of UNC chapel hill is the greatest! It is a major major college town and that is the best part. The size is just right, not too big or too small! Stereotypes are present but everyone gets along. There are very nice people here, especially the staff, teachers and advisers. School pride is probably the best in the country, definitely North Carolina. Everything about this place is heaven, we could however use a little more parking!

I don't think I have ever heard of anyone saying they hated UNC, and everyone who leaves UNC is sad to leave this little place of what we call "heaven on earth." As a recent alum (class of 2008) I can attest to this myself. I can remember starting senior with more of a sense of sadness than excitement because I know it would be my last year as an undergraduate. The thing that makes UNC so special are the experiences and friendships you acquire during your stay here no matter how long or short they are. Even the international exchanges I befriended this past academic year felt this same sentiment. There are so many things you can do from the over 500 student run organizations to the many sporting events. You are definitely never bored in this small college town. So I guess my advice to you is to get yourself involved and cherish every moment you are at UNC. It will be over before you know it.

Some of the students you will encounter at UNC are some of the brightest individuals you will ever meet. Others... you will wonder how they got in. As a general rule, however, the University carries a very prestigious name. It is very large, and though they say the average freshman class size is around 35, I do not believe it. Expect many large lecture halls. That being said, the motivated student will have no trouble at all finding individual help when needed. Just do not expect anyone to ever take you by the hand and guide you like it is high school. Chapel Hill is the definition of a college town... It has no reason for existence outside of the University. The plus side of that is the great night life catering to college students. There is always something to do. The downside is oft-strained town-gown relations. Campus life is framed by a liberal activism, often to the point of absurdity. The unfortunate truth is that, for all the talk, most students are 'fad-hippies', eager to join a cause either because it is popular or because it will build a resume'/news event than because they actually care about or even know much about an issue. Chancellor James Moeser handled such issues with unrivaled class and ability. Hopefully the next chancellor will follow in his steps.

School pride is one of the biggest draws for me. When it comes to game day, you will see every student from frat boy to skater girl wearing that beautiful Carolina blue! As for after the game, Franklin Street is THE place to be. Crowds of hyped-up fans flock to Franklin and the spirit is so contagious. The great thing about Franklin St. is that it is basically right on campus (well, a little farther from south campus, but right in north campus) and the buses can take you to Franklin or any other location on campus. Although the campus is so large, it doesn't fail to amaze with its beauty and diversity. I came from a very small school (~80 in my graduating class) and I love the huge student population. Not only can I meet someone new every day, but I also run into everyone I know at some point during the week. I love going to UNC and I would highly recommend it to anyone if they are willing to do the work that goes along with being able to be called a UNC student. The only negatives I can think of...hmmm...none.

The best thing is graduating from a well-known credited public school. It's very large and has big classes but as you move up your major, the classes get smaller. You spend a lot of time in the library but you will also have fun in a college town. There is always some kind of party so that you can take your stress off and relax/dance with friends. There is a lot of school pride especially since we are the best in Basketball :).

Great size, gorgeous campus, enough active groups to keep you busy for years. I loved being a part of the greek system, the night life is good, and you go to school with people that really, truly have passion for UNC while they are there and for years after they are gone making for a great environment

UNC has a gorgoues campus; really, one of the most beautiful school campuses across the state, though there is always an extensive amount of construction going on. Basketball is a religion. The downtown area is relatively small; there's Franklin Street and Rosemary, and if you take the CW line in to Carrboro, there are some things to do there as well: Resteraunts, shops, Carr Mill Mall, and the famous Cat's Cradle. However, beyond Franklin Street and Carrboro, the town is very sprawled out: apartment complexes, quaint little homes, etc. I live at home in Wake Forest, NC and commute to school twice a week, so most of my time is spent in class or in the library when I'm on campus.

UNC has a gorgeous campus if you exclude the construction, it is pretty large but not too large, and its very prestigous and people seem to be impressed when I say I go here. Many people seem to think you have to be a genius to go here so they think I'm really smart, haha. Of course this is a great school and not that easy to get into, but I don't think it is out of reach for students who may not be the brightest. Dorm life is great for getting acclamated to college, but one year of it was enough for me. I made lots of friends that way, but I prefer to live in a more quiet atmosphere so I live in a house with a couple roommates as of now. We definitely have a lot of school pride which makes any kind of sporting event so much fun, plus we are awesome at almost every sport so that helps!

UNC is a great place. The town is all around the campus and Franklin Street (our college street) is owned by the town, so it is part of the town that is easily in walking distance. Last week, UNC bought part of Franklin Street, so now there will be even more things to do there. Chapel Hill and UNC are both liberal entities and if you're a conservative, prepare yourself for some political battles. UNC's size is perfect if you want a big place that isn't so big you feel lost and like you will never fit in. The way the buildings are organized just makes sense and there are parts of campus where you will never travel (unless you want to). School pride is something that we are pretty low-key about. You won't see too many people running around with their faces or chests painted, but you will see a huge crowd of people wearing Carolina Blue. This is true on game day or class day; we all just love the color. UNC's administration has some issues, but every school does. The biggest one here is that UNC does not want to stop growing, even though school populations will decrease in a few years. UNC wants to put in a research center in a place that is right now the biggest forest area in the county, and most of the students don't know. UNC prides itself on sustainable growth, but when you don't need growth at all it doesn't matter how sustainable it is if no one will use it. There is also always construction somewhere on campus, which really takes away from the peaceful college experience, and can sometimes wake you up early if its near your dorm.

I love Carolina it is a very diverse university with all types of minority students. And being a minority at Carolina has made me feel more comfortable with the diversity it has to offer students. The campus is large, but it's the type of atmosphere that I enjoy. Walking on UNC's large campus gives it's students the opportunity to meet alot of people. One could meet someone new everyday, which is why I enjoy Carolina. Yes, UNC is definetely a college town within it's self, it's almost little the campus is a little town itself. But this is an advantage for the students because everything is within their reach and they don't have to drive far to get to a grocery store or a shopping center everything is convient.

Overall, I've had a fantastic experience at UNC. The school is pretty big, but that means that you get a lot of choices when it comes to classes and extracurriculars. It's also easy to find a group of friends that you can fit in with. UNC has a great reputation so I always get positive or admiring responses when I say I go there. True, Duke fans or State fans will often groan because of the rivalry, but deep down they're just jealous. Chapel Hill is definitely a college town. It's main street, which runs just north of campus, is definitely the hot spot on campus.

The best thing about UNC is the school spirit. On a trip to class you will see that half the people you pass are wearing Carolina apparel and the turnout for any athletic event is huge, even volleyball, especially basketball. One thing I would change is the types of guys that are at Carolina. Unless he is an athlete (who are the best bet for an out-of-stater) he tends to look like a country club goer. The student body has some diversity, but for the most part, it is very homogeneous. Sometimes I feel like the school is too big because it can be overwhelming with large class sizes and walking distances. But sometimes, I feel like I see the same people out all the time and it makes the school seem too small. When I tell people I go to UNC, especially as an out-of-stater, everyone makes a face that says "Wow". School pride is the best thing about UNC. At some point in any day, half the student body is wearing Carolina apparel. Every basketball game and football game is always packed, and even sports like Volleyball draw huge crowds.

School pride. This is a university where students take great pride in. Carolina blue can be seen EVERYWHERE and support for athletics is big. It is a school full of comradery. We also get to enjoy a great rival, Duke, who we share classes with (a great plus). It is large, but not in the feeling like you're just lost in a sea of people. Once you've been here for a year, you will find you can always spot somebody you know on the quad or at a dining hall. I am proud to admit I am a UNC student. This state is so proud of it's university and when you announce you are a tarheel, people give you that look that they are impressed with you. It is a selective school which gives the boost of impressing people with the name. This summer I met a number of students in France from across the US and they recognize the rigor of Carolina. If you don't like powder blue, you'll learn to love Carolina blue. Basketball? Even if you're not big on it, you will realize the bonding that occurs from the spirit. Do you have high goals in life? you will find so does your fellow student. Examples of dreams: law school, doctoral programs, Peacecorps style programs and jobs that require great skill.