University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Visit Report by purplexed

Visit Activities:

Information Session: Yes - Warm, engaging, came at the end of the tour, when many parents were glad to just sit. Free ice cream coupons were great!

Campus Tour: Yes - Knowledgeable, volunteer student tour guide, kept up with a large group, walked backward while talking in a low-key way, rounded up strays, and got us to the famous Pit in time to watch lunch crowd.

Classroom Visit: No - Walked through several beautiful buildings after tour. Campus is sprawling and has construction detours. Don't expect construction to be over by 2008. Parking? Ha. Wear workout shoes, carry wat

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Campus:

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Tour guides were great and organized, sharing contact information. Feel of campus was diverse, energetic, active, because of the students.

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Information session leader appeared to be recent graduate. Showed strong speaking skills, audience engagement, humor.

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Despite construction, this is a gorgeous campus going through updates. It's good to see an investment in class buildings -- and upgraded dorms -- for the future.

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Buildings we saw formally and informally were clean, elegant and acknowledged history of the college.

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No free fridge; you can rent. Some recently did not have air-conditioning. But several older dorms have been recently renovated, and newer dorms away from old campus have strong fitness facilities.

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Free late rides from library to dorms available. Annual event gives students a voice in safety improvements. Campus is open and connected to town. The cost: Be careful.

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Can't say it enough: energy, diversity (in interests, causes and backgrounds, not just ethnicity), talent, community, activity. It seems that amazing people make this a very cool place to be.

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Off-Campus:

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Town of Chapel Hill is the area immediately around campus. Very accessible for lunch, coffee, evenings. Students can even get the "off-campus" meal plan from downtown restaurants.

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More on the town: Many souvenir shops offer all kinds of Tar Heel things. Some nicer stores offer clothing, jewelry, art. Good restaurants. Try the Rathskeller for Chapel Hill tradition.

Campus Visit Notes for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Visit Description:

We've been twice in 2007, once informally in the winter and once formally in the spring.
The school doesn't oversell itself; it doesn't have to. But one gets the strong sense that many students feel privileged and honored to be there, and thus work hard (and play hard) to get everything out of it they can.
The libraries and new student center and bookstore are inviting and well-used.
The students seem to pride themselves on being smart and hard-working, yet well-balanced and interested in all aspects of life.
Awesome place. It seems worth working hard to get there.
Don't miss a side trip to Carrboro; shops and good restaurants.

Hotel/Lodging Recommendations or Comments:

Inexpensive hotels within walking distance of campus seem practically non-existent.

Dining/Restaurant Recommendations or Comments:

Go out of your way to hit the Sandwhich (yes, correct spelling) in Carrboro. Also Mama Dip's. Also Carolina Coffee Shop on Franklin Street.

Other Comments (Transportation, local attractions, parking, etc.):

Many students on our April tour were also visiting Duke, nine miles down the road. N.C. State, Wake Forest, also nearby. You need a car to get around, but don't try to park on campus at Chapel Hi