University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Visit Report by CarolMerrill

Visit Activities:

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Campus:

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Off-Campus:

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Campus Visit Notes for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Visit Description:

NYU was daughter's dream school. Being a North Carolinian, I think she wanted to experience something a little "out of the box" and UNC not feel that way to her after not being selected Morehead-Cain scholar. The other schools (Brown, UVA, Boston College and NYU) became more appealing. This past weekend, we took the trip to NYC to visit NYU for admitted students "Weekend on the Square". Very impressed with NYU and I could see the stars in my D's eyes but weighing heavy on my mind (and hers) were the staggering costs to attend. The only official UNC visit that D had was Morehead-Cain finals weekend so it dawned on us while sitting in pizza restaurant across the street from NYU that she needed to see UNC from a different perspective than that of a Morehead-Cain scholar. Luckily, an "Explore Carolina" event was being held the next day (last one too!). Pulled out lap top, signed up for Explore Carolina. Flew into Charlotte at midnight that night. Got home after 1:00 a.m. next morning. Got up 3 hours later and left home for 3 hour drive to UNC. Sounds crazy but so glad we made that decision. We were desperately sleep deprived so were afraid to ask questions publicly when given the opportunity at the panel discussions. Thank goodness other parents and students were asking the right questions and any other question we had, we seemed to be able to ask one on one to those on the panel or the officials who were moderating the panel discussions or just the folks working the event. Since the visit to NYU was the day before, comparing the two schools was easy. All the programs that D was interested in, the prestige (maybe UNC more prestigious actually but we heard some amazing, impressive things at both places!), etc. were basically the same at both schools. Main difference was big city versus beautiful campus with great sports and school spirit and costs. D (and friend she ran in to who happened also to be at Explore Carolina) attended a class lecture with a current student and friend. That turned out to be a fun time too. Won't go in to detail but the professor knew the current student by name and the class was not that small. I think D was impressed with that! There were representatives from many of the schools 600 clubs and they were very helpful when forming a vision of what student life could be like at UNC. Not only are the academics second to none, there were so many worthy, wonderful extracurricular opportunities it makes you wonder how the students choose where to spend their time! She saw how she could make her experience as a student at UNC all her own and it could be "out of the box". By lunch time, D was saying she thought that was where she would go. I would say, "You don't have to decide right now". She said "Mom, I will be happy here!". When we got home, D updated facebook info to "studies at University of North Carolina" and that is how I knew for sure she had made up her mind. I was a little worried that visiting UNC on exhaustion would not bode well for UNC vs NYU. But I was wrong and now am inclined to think D will like UNC and be happier than even she thinks she will be. Go Tar Heels!

Hotel/Lodging Recommendations or Comments:

Priceline got Sienna Hotel for $125.00.4star and good location.Best location is Carolina Inn-very pricey but everyone should try to stay there at least once.Franklin Inn-very good location.

Dining/Restaurant Recommendations or Comments:

Spankies, Crooks Corner are 2 oldie but goldies.