Thoughts on UNC?

[Anonymous]

Anyone know students that went to UNC? What is the student body like, and what are pros and cons? I know it's pretty competitive to get to get in OOS, as they mandate a certain percentage be from the state. We were just visiting family in the area, and DS really liked it, though he did not officially visit.

[Anonymous]

Meh. It gets it reputation from the fact it admits so few kids from OOS, so OOS admissions is brutal. But most of the student body is in state, and very average. I would not pay OOS tuition for it. And if your kid is OOS and can get in, they can do better.

[Anonymous]

A good, albeit slightly weird school.

[Anonymous]

The basketball team is worth more than the school. Unc , Kentucky , Penn State, Florida State, Alabama , Kansas , LSU, are probably the only schools that would abolish the academics to save the team. I even think Ohio State may let the team go if the university was threatened by it but not Unc.. Academics are in the back seat with an ejector button.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The basketball team is worth more than the school. Unc , Kentucky , Penn State, Florida State, Alabama , Kansas , LSU, are probably the only schools that would abolish the academics to save the team. I even think Ohio State may let the team go if the university was threatened by it but not Unc.. Academics are in the back seat with an ejector button.

I' from NC and this is sadly true. It's hard to overstate the importance of basketball to UNC. The whole state worships the UNC basketball team-- including many, many, many people who are not alums. It is the most important part of the school and a huge point of pride for the state. In a fight between the needs of UNC basketball and UNC academics, UNC basketball wins every time And make no mistake. NC is starving it's school system, top to bottom. Alumni contributions pay the bills. And if basketball were gone, many of these contributions would be gone. Any other school looking at accerdition loss would have fired the basketball coach and suspended the team. I'm not a Duke fan, but even Duke would have taken stronger steps to deal with their scandal. UNC can't. Basketball is too important to their bottom line. It's also important politically. Any governor that appointed trustees who let the school touch basketball would be run out of the state with tar and feathers.

There is no comparable college sports programs in terms of importance to the school in the DMV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A good, albeit slightly weird school.

I don't think the kids are weird. They are the same top of their class go to Flagship U students that go to UVA. Although, probably less impressive, because UNC is not fishing from a NOVA type talent pool. And half of all instate students who apply are admitted (vs 15% OOS).

But, the NC legislature is pushing its super conservative social agenda on the school. And that is not doing UNC any favors.

[Anonymous]

Here we go with the nut job anti UNC posters. Get over it people.

By law UNC is a state funded school to educate the children of North Carolinians, and the state refuses to use the business model of increasing OOS admissions to raise more money and help increase budgets (other state schools, like UVA change the OOS ratios around to help raise more money bc OOS state students may much more in tuition). I believe it is required to be 85% instate at a minimum. Athletes, depending whether or not they have a full scholarship, sometimes are counted as instate.

I went to UNC as an OOS student and loved it. I knew no one. It is a true college town (still is), with a small town feel and a community that embraces the university. The amentities are very good. The academics are great. The student life is fun, interesting and diverse. I lived a very sheltered life in a homogenous sort of town before college and going to a bigger school like UNC really introduced me to so many different types of people that fascinated me. I have rich it's who have children that are students now and I go back often for games and events and it still seems like such a fun, great place.

Is it unique, as in the only school of it's kind that offers a nice balance between good academics and fun student life, no. I am sure you can find that kind of formula at many different schools throughout the country. But it's a great place.

There are a few anti UNC batwing crazy posters on DCUM who must have a google alert to tell them whenever a UNC post is made because they relentlessly post random articles about the academic scandal that is from over a decade ago involving athletes and fake classes. They post over and over again. Sometimes 5 times in 10 minutes (check time stamps on posts). It's very unfortunate because it prevents a real discussion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here we go with the nut job anti UNC posters. Get over it people.

By law UNC is a state funded school to educate the children of North Carolinians, and the state refuses to use the business model of increasing OOS admissions to raise more money and help increase budgets (other state schools, like UVA change the OOS ratios around to help raise more money bc OOS state students may much more in tuition). I believe it is required to be 85% instate at a minimum. Athletes, depending whether or not they have a full scholarship, sometimes are counted as instate.

I went to UNC as an OOS student and loved it. I knew no one. It is a true college town (still is), with a small town feel and a community that embraces the university. The amentities are very good. The academics are great. The student life is fun, interesting and diverse. I lived a very sheltered life in a homogenous sort of town before college and going to a bigger school like UNC really introduced me to so many different types of people that fascinated me. I have rich it's who have children that are students now and I go back often for games and events and it still seems like such a fun, great place.

Is it unique, as in the only school of it's kind that offers a nice balance between good academics and fun student life, no. I am sure you can find that kind of formula at many different schools throughout the country. But it's a great place.

There are a few anti UNC batwing crazy posters on DCUM who must have a google alert to tell them whenever a UNC post is made because they relentlessly post random articles about the academic scandal that is from over a decade ago involving athletes and fake classes. They post over and over again. Sometimes 5 times in 10 minutes (check time stamps on posts). It's very unfortunate because it prevents a real discussion.

Thanks for this post. I know there was another UNC thread but it had devolved into a huge conversation into athletics. I think it's naive to think UNC is the only school where athletics trump academics in some respects. At the end of the day, it's all about money. But I was curious about the student life and culture.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone know students that went to UNC? What is the student body like, and what are pros and cons? I know it's pretty competitive to get to get in OOS, as they mandate a certain percentage be from the state. We were just visiting family in the area, and DS really liked it, though he did not officially visit.

My nephew goes there and loves it. He chose it over UVA (in-state). He felt that UVA was too stuffy and didn't like the overwhelmingly preppy vibe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A good, albeit slightly weird school.

I don't think the kids are weird. They are the same top of their class go to Flagship U students that go to UVA. Although, probably less impressive, because UNC is not fishing from a NOVA type talent pool. And half of all instate students who apply are admitted (vs 15% OOS).

But, the NC legislature is pushing its super conservative social agenda on the school. And that is not doing UNC any favors.

The student body at UNC is by no means super conservative.

[Anonymous]

Alum here with a cousin who is a current student. Here are my cliff notes on the school.

1) nice larger school with diverse student population (both racially and socioeconomically)
2) liberal and accepting environment, not super preppy or stuffy
3) has a Greek system but it isn't overwhelming or very large considering the size of the school (vs for comparison UVA which has a much larger percentage of the students pledging). Hence frat parties are not the center of the social life
4) sports are big, especially football, soccer and basketball and the students like going to the games. It's a big part of he culture, watching or attending games with your friends is very fun. I loved going to the basketball games and we won a championship when I was there. It was so fun. There is a lot of school pride which is nice.
5) beautiful campus and nice town, nice weather, nice people
6) size of the school allows for many opportunities for different areas of studies, study abroad, internships, on campus jobs, clubs, programs, cultural events, etc.

There is a reason James Taylor wrote a song about Chapel Hill....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A good, albeit slightly weird school.

I don't think the kids are weird. They are the same top of their class go to Flagship U students that go to UVA. Although, probably less impressive, because UNC is not fishing from a NOVA type talent pool. And half of all instate students who apply are admitted (vs 15% OOS).

But, the NC legislature is pushing its super conservative social agenda on the school. And that is not doing UNC any favors.

The student body at UNC is by no means super conservative.

No it isn't. And neither is Research Triangle where UNC is located. It's the most liberal area in NC (except maybe Asheville). Which is probably why the NC legislature, which seems to hate education in general, pre-K through college, and is of the Betsy DeVos school of education mis-management is grabbing control of UNC's ability to appoint Trustees without having to go through the governor, starving the education budget, and spending their time passing imposing an conservative social agenda on the entire UNC system, rather than allowing the school to self govern. I went to K through college in NC, and would not educate a child in public State school now at any level, in any location. 15 years ago, maybe. But not now. The headlines about Republican voters saying in a poll college education does more harm than good? That dynamic has played out in NC over the last few years.

Google "NC education" and go to the News section and do some reading about what the NC legislature is doing to UNC (and the rest of the public school system) before deciding that's a bet you want to place with your kid's education.

And this is not UNC bashing or hating on UNC, because they are pawns in this. It is all the state legislature, made worse by their new war with the democrat elected as governor. It makes me sick to see what is happening in my home state.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A good, albeit slightly weird school.

I don't think the kids are weird. They are the same top of their class go to Flagship U students that go to UVA. Although, probably less impressive, because UNC is not fishing from a NOVA type talent pool. And half of all instate students who apply are admitted (vs 15% OOS).

But, the NC legislature is pushing its super conservative social agenda on the school. And that is not doing UNC any favors.

The student body at UNC is by no means super conservative.

No it isn't. And neither is Research Triangle where UNC is located. It's the most liberal area in NC (except maybe Asheville). Which is probably why the NC legislature, which seems to hate education in general, pre-K through college, and is of the Betsy DeVos school of education mis-management is grabbing control of UNC's ability to appoint Trustees without having to go through the governor, starving the education budget, and spending their time passing imposing an conservative social agenda on the entire UNC system, rather than allowing the school to self govern. I went to K through college in NC, and would not educate a child in public State school now at any level, in any location. 15 years ago, maybe. But not now. The headlines about Republican voters saying in a poll college education does more harm than good? That dynamic has played out in NC over the last few years.

Google "NC education" and go to the News section and do some reading about what the NC legislature is doing to UNC (and the rest of the public school system) before deciding that's a bet you want to place with your kid's education.

And this is not UNC bashing or hating on UNC, because they are pawns in this. It is all the state legislature, made worse by their new war with the democrat elected as governor. It makes me sick to see what is happening in my home state.

So you didn't go to UNC and don't know anyone at UNC and don't have anything of substance to offer OP on his/her original set of questions. Ok, got t.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A good, albeit slightly weird school.

I don't think the kids are weird. They are the same top of their class go to Flagship U students that go to UVA. Although, probably less impressive, because UNC is not fishing from a NOVA type talent pool. And half of all instate students who apply are admitted (vs 15% OOS).

But, the NC legislature is pushing its super conservative social agenda on the school. And that is not doing UNC any favors.

The student body at UNC is by no means super conservative.

No it isn't. And neither is Research Triangle where UNC is located. It's the most liberal area in NC (except maybe Asheville). Which is probably why the NC legislature, which seems to hate education in general, pre-K through college, and is of the Betsy DeVos school of education mis-management is grabbing control of UNC's ability to appoint Trustees without having to go through the governor, starving the education budget, and spending their time passing imposing an conservative social agenda on the entire UNC system, rather than allowing the school to self govern. I went to K through college in NC, and would not educate a child in public State school now at any level, in any location. 15 years ago, maybe. But not now. The headlines about Republican voters saying in a poll college education does more harm than good? That dynamic has played out in NC over the last few years.

Google "NC education" and go to the News section and do some reading about what the NC legislature is doing to UNC (and the rest of the public school system) before deciding that's a bet you want to place with your kid's education.

And this is not UNC bashing or hating on UNC, because they are pawns in this. It is all the state legislature, made worse by their new war with the democrat elected as governor. It makes me sick to see what is happening in my home state.

So you didn't go to UNC and don't know anyone at UNC and don't have anything of substance to offer OP on his/her original set of questions. Ok, got t.

I attended another top private NC college (which narrows the list down, fast). And have immediate family members who are UNC alums, a**hat. Quite a few high school friends who are UNC alums as well. College friends who went to UNC for grad school. Family members who still live in NC. And family members who are NC public schools teachers FWIW. So I do know something about UNC, it's student body and public education (including public college education) in NC right now. OP asked for pros and cons. I think that the NC legislature defunding UNC, taking control of the UNC Board of Trustees, and going on a conservative crusade against the University are significant cons. Many of the alums I know are upset, especially about the Board of Trustee thing. The law school grads I know (several) were posting outraged things on FB about legislature screwing around with the mandate of the School of Law's legal clinic, which is really well respected.

If you, or OP, don't think it's relevant to the pluses or minuses of attending UNC, move along. But, I suspect you know it is. In wh DH case, take it up with the NC legislature. Please. I certainly didn't vote for those clowns.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Alum here with a cousin who is a current student. Here are my cliff notes on the school.

1) nice larger school with diverse student population (both racially and socioeconomically)
2) liberal and accepting environment, not super preppy or stuffy
3) has a Greek system but it isn't overwhelming or very large considering the size of the school (vs for comparison UVA which has a much larger percentage of the students pledging). Hence frat parties are not the center of the social life
4) sports are big, especially football, soccer and basketball and the students like going to the games. It's a big part of he culture, watching or attending games with your friends is very fun. I loved going to the basketball games and we won a championship when I was there. It was so fun. There is a lot of school pride which is nice.
5) beautiful campus and nice town, nice weather, nice people
6) size of the school allows for many opportunities for different areas of studies, study abroad, internships, on campus jobs, clubs, programs, cultural events, etc.

There is a reason James Taylor wrote a song about Chapel Hill....

NP, alum here as well. Graduated almost 20 years ago and this describes my experience as well.

The one concern I would note is that for students used to smaller class sizes, it might be a daunting and fairly steep learning curve to do well in those huge auditorium-style freshman classes. I know I struggled to pay attention and that was before the days of laptops and cell phones in class. I can't imagine trying to learn in that kind of environment today.