University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Top Questions

pick unc

Be open. You can pretty much make something awesome out of anywhere you end up. Also, don't focus too much on what you think you want to study in college - it is probably going to change!

I think parents should let their children find the colleges they are most interested, giving advice and encouragement but excluding force and pressure. Students should look at all aspects of universities: social life, sports, size, location, area, distance from home. To make the most of the college experience, students should understand that college is based around academics but it is important that they should have fun and enjoy themselves. They should reach out beyond their comfort zones: participate in class if usually they are shy, join a club, try an intermural sport they have never played. College is all about learning, both in classes and about yourself!

I would tell parents and students alike to visit a great number of college campuses before making a decision on a school. Apply to a lot of different schools, with differences in size, in diversity, in location so that you can be sure to find the best fit. Also, when you visit these campuses, talk to students who attend that university. Ask them questions about what they like and dislike about their school. I know that in my experience visiting colleges, the tour guides tend to only tell about the benefits and strengths of the school, so it would most definitely be beneficial to talk to a normal student who could give you their take on the schools strengths and weaknesses. Once you find that perfect school, get involved! This is one way to quickly feel connected to your campus and a real part of the school, no matter the size. Find your friends, find your niche, somewhere you personally fit and live your college life the way you choose.

The "right" college - is there really such a thing? Its about choosing to love where you are. I could have been equally happy or unhappy where I am. I know people that hate it here, because they choose to hate it. I chose to get plugged in with the organizations that share my passions; I chose to balance academics and friends; I chose to fall in love with the campus and lovingly make fun of the things that bothered me. Sure, college is hard. New people, hard work, new surroundings - but, that is all part of life. Make sure to chose a school has the major you want, and the rest - just make the best of it. College is what you make it. Make it good. Work hard, play hard, serve others, love these four short years.

Pick the school you want to go to, not the school your parents or friends think would be best for you.

The best advice I can give anyone when they are looking for a university that suits them is "follow your heart". I know it's cliche, but many times our parents will try to force us to go to a school where we feel unhappy and overwhelmed. Visit as many college campuses as you possibly can. Go on tours, don't be afraid to talk to professors and students about what they love about their campus, the academics, and the extracurricular activities. The more options you give yourself the easier it will be to see where your best fit is. You'll find the school that is right for you, but you definitely have to put in some effort.

The best thing I can advise would be to take the time to visit schools. Walk around campus. Talk to students. Stay the weekend in a dorm if you can. The school you pick will be your home for the next four years, so it's so important to get a real feel for the place. Carolina wasn't the highest-ranked school I was accepted to, and since I'm in-state, I thought I wanted to go farther away. I didn't think Carolina was for me, but one weekend of walking around, seeing how happy and real the students were, and taking in the sights of our incredibly beautiful campus, had me hooked. Be open, because the place you think is for you might not be the best fit, so it's definitely worth giving every school a fair consideration. And go to Carolina. For real. That is the best piece of advice I can give.

Begin your college search early. Visit different schools, and do not keep just one school in mind because you might not get in. Apply for financial aid if possible. Begin saving money for college early as well. Be open to different opinions, because there are hundreds of them on most campuses. The most important thing is to have fun and make great friends.

As far as finding the right college goes, going on campus tours and figuring out what you like and what you want out of your college experience will help you to find the right college. Whether it is strong academics, small classes, or phenomenal sports teams, finding the right college for you is one of the most important decisions you will make. Once you make that decision though, becoming involved with your college will allow you to get the most out of your college experience. I love UNC Chapel Hill so much because there is always something to get involved in. I have never gone a day without having something else to do outside of my classwork. From our amazing sports teams, and campus organizations, to an incredible resource for community service, I can truly say that college has been the best years of my life thus far. Whenever school work becomes overwhelming, I always have my friends and extra curricular activies like intermural sports to turn to for enjoyment and relaxation.