The University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

Just because your degree has the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on it, does not mean you will ultimately end up getting a good or reasonable job, especially in your major. I was unemployed for months after graduation, and I received a degree in one of the most recognized programs at UNC, Journalism. I did not have the same connections as other students, nor I had the desire to stay in the state of North Carolina. Like my friends that also seemed to have struggled to find employment after graduating from Carolina, the rep of the university only influences a handful of employers in the state of North Carolina, mostly Carolina grads that work in the Triangle, Triad, and Charlotte areas, and is seen on equal ground as any other school once you go out of the state. Also, the rep the university use to have is disappearing in and out of state. Carolina has fallen from its status as a “public ivy” no matter what propaganda the university and some over zealous students hand out. Carolina is also far from the “utopia” that some tried to paint during the 80s and 90s. In all honesty, the university is going downhill from what it use to be, but continues to offers a quality education. There is a major education gap between out of state students that enter Carolina and in-state students. Not to be too critical of students from North Carolina, but I found out there is a huge difference in perception as far as academics and social ideals go. As an out of state student, I found many of the so called “tougher” classes during my freshman and sophomore years to be easy or similar to my AP classes in high school. I knew many in-state students that struggled and cheated their way through those same classes to come out with a final grade of a C. High schools in North Carolina are not on the same level as other states, they are far behind. Also, I found the social side/social life at Carolina to be quite boring/overrated from what I expected. Things are pretty much the same on the weekends and sometimes can be very stale. There are a few parties here and there, but over all, it is very overrated.

I had many good and bad times while attending Carolina. I met a lot of interesting people. Carolina features many types of individuals from the preps, rich and snooty, studious, greeks, legacy base whom got into the school because of their parents or connections, out of state students, racist/prejudice/closed minded, liberals, ultra-liberals, ultra-conservatives, homosexuals, minority males that date only white women, wannabe thugs, basketball fans, and etc… Overall, students have their own agendas, and it is all about making the right connections. People will use you to get to the top or get something they want. It is not an anti-social campus; but groups rarely interact with each other, especially racial groups.

Some professors are very helpful while many are really stuck up and don’t care about their students. Their agenda is to write articles or books rather than focusing on students. Overall Carolina is more graduate school based than undergrad. I believe that is one of the reasons why the university’s rep and ratings are falling and will continue to fall.You will need to have your mind made up once you arrive on campus. There will be little to no time to decide on life issues. You will be quickly classified into a group once you arrive on campus. You will either get kicked to the side by the stuck up and snooty students and treated like a number by a professor or you can kiss a lot of butt on both sides and have a better time. If I had to do it all over again, I probably would not have decided to attend Carolina. It is far from the propaganda that you may read from university officials or from students that are paid to write positive reviews for the university on various sites, and yes, the universities pays for positive reviews. The truth is that Carolina is a fairly average university but fell far below my expectations. At times I felt cheated and other times I thank God I am finally out of that place.

Alumnus Male -- Class 2000

The best advice I can offer is that you find a school advisor who represents the field(s) in which you are interested, and stick w/ that advisor. UNCCH is big, and among that many students it is easy to get lost in the crowd. I have no regrets, however I do think that finding the right advisor for my scholastic interests/concerns and demanding that I be permitted to stick w/ that advisor - instead of allowing the university to randomly assign me to one - would have greatly improved the quality of my experience at Carolina. Also, don't stress out! Study and you will do well.

Alumnus Male -- Class 2000

UNC is a great school, I've never wanted to go anywhere else my entire life. The main problems with the university are that we are in the middle of a 50 year construction plan and it's tearing the campus apart. It's all about money here, you don't have it, get out. And if you are a student, you're gonna get crapped on. They will not give you basketball tickets anywhere NEAR the court, some of my teachers don't even know my name 3 months into the semester, and all in all each new person is just another $ sign. If you can look past the incredible liberalness of the school, and avoid the money snatchers, it's not a bad place to be.

2nd Year Male -- Class 2007

Campus Aesthetics: A-, University Resource Use/ spending: D