<p>Lady D</p>
<p>I’d like to throw something else on the table for your consideration. In an earlier post I mentioned that what happens AFTER classes end each day truly determines one’s undergrad experience. By that I meant (for lack of a better term) the “happiness factor.”</p>
<p>Significant research has proven that the degree of undergrad success can be measured by how happy/well adjusted a student is in their undergrad environment. This is discussed often in the Pre med forums when so many angst ridden high schoolers are trying to figure out how to “game” the system by picking the “right” undergrad school in order to (in their opinion) gain an edge in Med school admissions down the road.</p>
<p>The answer that everyone gives them is that the place they will be happiest and will be best able to excel both academically and socially will be the school that benefits them the most.</p>
<p>I bring this up because one thing that seems to be missing in your evaluations (at least by what you have mentioned) is overall school profile. I am going to focus on one thing as an example of something you should be thinking about.</p>
<p>At Bama 5,000 undergrads, 27 percent of the student body are in fraternities or sororities of that 3000 men are in fraternities alone. This is a HUGE number and says that Greek life both dominates and more importantly dictates the social scene there.</p>
<p>By comparison, 2800 undergrads or 17 percent of the student body at UNC are Greek. As has been mentioned here many times in the past, choosing to be Greek at UNC is an option not a virtual mandate for an active social life.</p>
<p>Your S has been home schooled which in and of itself is going to add to the degree of adjustment and “culture shock” he will experience as a first year student…don’t get me wrong, all kids experience some degree adjustment and culture shock as first years but the socialization process for your S will be a little more uphill nonetheless. Throwing him into a environment that lives for SEC football Saturday afternoons and is so heavily Greek could put even more stress on his period of adjustment to college life.</p>
<p>This is in no way saying he should go to UNC…rather I’m just trying to point out that there are MANY more things to look at when making a decision than cost of attendance, size of classes and whatever rank USNWR assigns to a a school. </p>
<p>I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t have a clue about your S’s personality but even my very outgoing social butterfly of daughter found a degree of initial culture shock when she went from a medium sized private school (200 grads in her class) to USC. The heavy Greek influence on the social scene (even though that was something she wanted in her college selection) can be overwhelming even for the strongest willed kid and often creates heartache and pain for those who simply don’t fit in…</p>
<p>I truly wish the best for your son and am just trying to throw out a few more things for you to consider other than price tag because in reality, we as parents, cannot put a price tag on our kids emotional health and well being.</p>
<p>Again, good luck.</p>