<p>I feel like if you’re at the top of your class, there’s an expectation to go to a very highly regarded college. I know other people’s opinions shouldn’t matter and maybe it’s my own complex but I sometimes feel like my validation comes from academic achievements. I’m not a star athlete or the next American Idol singer. My talent is my ability to learn. So I feel conflicted because I have a top college as my first choice but I’m really liking a school that will probably never make the Princeton Review list. It’s like the star basketball player in high school committing to a small private liberal arts school. They can still be successful and go pro if they want but do they feel like they’re not developing their talent to the fullest? Do they feel like they’re letting themselves and others down? Are they embarrassed?</p>
<p>There are only a limited number of spaces at the “Top” institutions, which means that many, many “too smart” students end up studying at places that will never be mentioned here at CC. If you like this place, and it proves to be affordable for your family, it is perfectly fine for you to attend college there. Truly. What you make of your educational opportunities is mostly up to you. It is OK to be the bigger fish in the smaller pond.</p>
<p>Does this other school have the academic offerings that you want to study, and will it be affordable?</p>
<p>@ucbalumnus
Yes. My second choice school has a good program for my major and is affordable because its in state and public. Actually, because its a smaller pond for a bigger fish, the scholarship opportunities may be greater for me there too. Plus it’s in a booming city with a lot of internship opportunities. I could meet so many people and experience so much in such a diverse city. And there’s mountains AND lakes which is the best of both worlds. It’s far from home but not inconvenient to come home either. The school is unc charlotte. I’m just torn because I’ve only talked about unc chapel hill my entire life. The only thing I know about that university that I like tho is the shops nearby in chapel hill, the style of the buildings on campus, the sports, and the african American population (I would finally be around like minded AA’s that care about school as much as me)</p>
<p>Did you get accepted to both already or are they just under consideration ? I wouldn’t turn down Chapel Hill.</p>
<p>@XtremePower
No, I’m just considering places. I’m not a senior. But I can tell this is going to be the most difficult decision ever so I’m trying to start early</p>
<p>What is your situation? Where have you been accepted? Is Charlotte your only affordable choice? Doesn’t UNC-CH give great aid? or do you not qualify for the aid that you need?</p>
<p>What is your major and career interest?</p>
<p>@mom2collegekids
I’m not a senior so I haven’t applied to either. I’m just thinking about where I’d like to be in two years. I know those two schools are the front runners for me and something is going to have to break the tie. Both are affordable. Money isn’t the deciding factor between the schools. They’re both in state for me and public.</p>
<p>@mom2collegekids
My major is most likely going to be exercise science because I want to do physical therapy. But I’m also not opposed to dentistry or being a physician assistant. And I’d really like to minor in journalism. I like writing and I’d love to have a medical job by day and be a successful blogger by night</p>
<p>Oh good. Don’t worry right now. Just stay on track, do your best, and you’ll like be a Tarheel!</p>
<p>Good luck!!! :)</p>
<p>Don’t worry too much about it now. Just put them both (and any other suitable schools – has your major, affordable, and you like) on your application list when it comes time to apply.</p>