The University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

Things I wish I knew before I went:

I recommend that any serious student find some way to get into seminar level classes as soon as possible. Either AP out or take some college courses somewhere else. The difference between the upper level courses and large freshman/sophomore courses is vast. I only found the great UNC my junior and senior year. I kept on looking for aid to transfer to University of Chicago (a very serious school) my first two years. I was shocked at the lack of academic intensity. Luckily, I found it when I got into high undergraduate/ graduate classes.

It helps to know what you want to do before you start-remember, you want to get into those upper level classes as soon as possible. Smaller and more expensive private colleges might give you a better search experience if you are undecided. But you have to pay!

Unless you are sure that you are stopping at a BA or BS or you want to be a businessman in North Carolina, don't join a fraternity. Although there are some good students in frats, I found them to be very Southern and somewhat anti-intellectual. Remember, I took a lot of math, statistics, economics, and physics classes and it seemed to me that the frat guys were either not in these classes or were filling out the low end of the curve. On the other hand, the rare smart frat guys I met had impressive resumes.

My guess is that statistically, the frats don't look mediocre since so many people leave. I remember at matriculation-"look to your left, look to your right, one of you will be gone." The frat guys are probably happier and they stay (I wrote my honors thesis on sample selection bias).

Strangely, I didn't find the same thing for sororities, so if you are a serious student and female, go for it.

I taught at the University of Virginia and in comparison I noticed three big differences: 1) the top students were slightly better at UNC while the average student at UVA was better and 2) students crammed much harder at UNC toward to the end of the semester and played more the rest of the time (this may be related to 1) and 3) UNC if far more liberal than UVA.

As an aside, if you are a good crammer either by nature or due to poor habits, you will like it here better than other places. But this also may account for the 1/3 drop-out rate.

People are more modest here. Really. It is part of the fabric. My twin brother went to Duke and it was different, especially if you were poor. The women I met did not care that I came from a broke single mom family and lived in a trailer out near Chapel Hill Airport. My brother (on scholarship) at Duke had a country mouse feeling the whole time he was at Duke.

Alumnus Male -- Class 2000

As an out-of-state student, I had a difficult time adjusting to UNC my first year, but even so, I would never discourage students, in our out of state, from coming here. This is a big school, and the problems I've seen here are the ones that apply to any big school- big, impersonal lectures, bureaucracy, etc. I haven't liked every class I've taken here, but overall, the quality of education here is excellent. I can't really speak for the science department, but I spent my first three semesters at Carolina taking a variety of courses in different liberal arts departments and have learned a lot. My one piece of advice? Avoid 101 courses at all costs unless you have to take them. It feels as if information is being thrown at you, but you have no idea how it is all connected.

Socially UNC is very dynamic. Past posts have complained about and praised the presence of Greek life on campus, but unless you join a fraternity or sorority, it will have little to no impact on your life here at Carolina. Most frat parties will let in any girl, so if you're a girl, that's always a weekend option, though I honestly burnt out on frat parties after freshman year. It took me almost two semesters to find people at Carolina that I really connected with, but in my opinion, finding those core friendships can make or break your view on the social scene here. There are plenty of non-Greek options and social subcultures at Carolina, plenty of house parties and different types of bars that I find to be all superior options to frat parties. It is only a matter of finding them. That being said, you can find out pretty quickly whether or not Greek life is your thing, or whether you should look towards other social options. I would also like to comment on the perceived liberalness of Carolina. Being from North, I don't think this school is overwhelmingly liberal. I have met and lived with people here that were far more religious and conservative than me, and they have all been able to find their niche here at Carolina. They are a substantial contingency at this school, although the majority of students are more liberal, or something in between. But as far as college campuses go, I don't see how this school could be labeled radically liberal. Most college campuses are pretty liberal, and Carolina is no exception, nor is it somehow more liberal than the rest.

2nd Year Female -- Class 2014

Campus Aesthetics: A, Innovation: B-

So far, Carolina has been everything I looked for in a university and more. I believe wholeheartedly that your college experience is what you make of it. Yes, UNC is large. Yes, if you let yourself, you can get lost in the crowd. But UNC prides itself on having something for EVERYONE. If you're super-serious about academics, Carolina can challenge you. Some courses are labeled "honors" courses for those who wish to challenge themselves academically. Students can also participate in research. If you're interested in getting involved in the community, Carolina can provide you with opportunities to do so. Study abroad? UNC has one of the top study abroad programs in the nation. And yes, as a Carolina student you can have an excellent social life, as well. Join a sorority, like I did. Join a fraternity. Many sororities and fraternities on campus don't fit the "Greek" stereotype. Typically students view sororities and fraternities as ongoing parties... and the members as air-headed snobs... I'm not going to lie, many of those assumptions are true. But probably 90% of the Greek organizations on campus are not like that AT ALL. They participate in service, leadership, and often raise money for their philanthropy. If you're not interested in sporting Greek letters, join a club. College Republicans, Young Democrats, Black Student Movement... There are hundreds to choose from, and if there's not one for you, make your own. (I think I heard that some students created a Pirate Club a few years ago? Wild!) So you're a huge sports fanatic? Carolina is PERFECT for you. Granted, I am a little biased, but Carolina athletics are a huge part of the UNC experience. Basketball, football, lacrosse, baseball, swimming, soccer... there are sporting events to attend during all parts of the school year. And you can even participate in sports. So you're into sports but aren't well enough to play on the varsity team? Join the club team. Or play intermurals. There are plenty of intermural sports... from indoor soccer to scavenger hunting... from basketball to innertube water polo (I kid you not!). I think the reason a select few students end up unhappy at UNC is because they don't go out and get what they want. Carolina provides its students with opportunities to do WHATEVER they please... but they're not going to shove it in the students' faces. They know the students are smarter than that and have the ability to pursue what they wish without being spoonfed... and THAT is why Carolina is "The University of the People."

1st Year Female -- Class 2009

Extracurricular Activities: A+, Scholastic Success: B