| Good Luck and Fare Well, All Tarheels
I'd like to thank all those who share their experience and wisdom on this board, especially, again, Jack, eadad, and the young but prodigious Cloying. We learned a great deal about UNC through these threads, and came to have tremendous respect for the quality of the school and its university community. Being from OOS, we were really excited when DS was admitted EA in December. Our campus visit was truly enjoyable, including discovering the town, which is everything people had described. DS had a lot of interest in the School of Public Health, too, but I guess it was just not meant to be. With our EFC, it was a foregone conclusion he would not qualify for federal need-based aid, or probably any other need-based. All the efforts at merit-based aid were for naught, and UNC essentially offered no aid at all. As I have posted before, we have no sense of entitlement, and we appreciate that a state university's first duty is to its citizens. Two important things we learned during our campus tour: merit scholarships are awarded to the top 4-5%, and the committees are looking for people with a unique, passonate contribution, not only an outstanding record and potential. And a "well-rounded" class is a collection of many different kinds of student, not of just well-rounded students. 4-5% in this group is rarified air, so many fine, accomplished young people aren't selected for those distinguished honors. Kudos to all who are!
UNC would have been great, but so are many places, including UGA and its Honors Program, where he will attend. Maybe UNC med school in 4 years?
So, to all who will be attending UNC this fall, best of luck! You will have a wonderful educational opportunity and be part of a great tradition and community. Enjoy every moment, appreciate your good fortune, and if you are from NC, also appreciate the incredible benefit you are receiving for the cost of your education. Vaya con Dios! | 
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