<p>I heard that with Carolina’s economy being less than stellar to say the least, the school is making cutbacks. How much will this affect undergrads? I am considering Washu in st. louis, not because it is generally considered more “prestigous” but because I think the advantages of a smaller, private school would be hard to match at a large public school. Part of my concern is the cutbacks in recession. any input? thanks.</p>
<p>I don’t think washu is more prestigious.</p>
<p>There are cutbacks. Classes cancelled, bigger class sizes, that sort of thing.</p>
<p>You are also comparing apples with oranges…the two schools are very different in almost every way. Urban vs small college town, very competitive (not in a good way) environment vs highly cooperative environment, very little diversion from academics outside of parties or hanging out in St Louis vs vibrant collegiate atmosphere with big time sports across the board… UNC fields 28 division one sports teams, more than any other school in the country…for both men and women…students regularly get out to support many of them, not just football and basketball.</p>
<p>Wash U is a very good school, it’s also VERY expensive and from my several visits there gives off a very different vibe than UNC…competition in some areas (premed and sciences) can be uber competitive bordering on cut throat…I am NOT saying it is cut throat but comes close and is very different than what you would experience at UNC. </p>
<p>Without trying to offend anyone I think you’ll find the student bodies to be almost polar opposites…both are composed of very smart kids and simply due to the difference in entering class size there will be equal amounts at both schools. At UNC you’ll also have some kids who, while above average, aren’t at the same level as the top performers. However, across the board I think you’ll find the “typical” UNC student to be more well rounded, a bit more athletic/outdoorsy (more likely than not due to weather differences) and less “nerdy” than the 'typical" Wash U student. I told you I might offend someone 
…and I’m certainly not saying that UNC doesn’t have its share of “nerds” either but many of them tend to be very fun loving as well…maybe just a bit more balanced in their activities and interests…UNC is known as a place that people work hard and play hard which is not a bad thing in the end.</p>
<p>My son turned down Yale and Wash U (among others) to attend UNC and like many others who did the same never once regretted his decision.</p>
<p>Lastly, if there is a substantive financial difference, save your money and go to UNC…grad and professional schools are very expensive and offer far less merit/scholarship monies…graduating from undergrad with as little debt as possible is a very good thing these days.</p>
<p>Forget everything else…where do you think you will be happiest? What happens every day AFTER classes end can be a big determining factor in how happy you are, which will also impact your academic success. This is really important and many people lose sight of it while getting caught up in average test scores and GPAs.</p>
<p>Wouldn’t it be great if keepittoyourself could drink some of eadad’s koolaid. You two are the yin and yang of these threads!! I did love keepittoyourself’s self-admitted gasp when she agreed with eadad on something the other day. </p>
<p>I have wondered, keepittoyourself, if in the same way you are hard on UNC–the university that will grant your degree–you might be really hard on your mom. I wonder because most of us work to see and promote the good in the hand we’re dealt or the lot we picked, but not you. You seem to enjoy casting aspersions on UNC. Perhaps you seek only to balance eadad’s carolina blue sunny disposition or, maybe just maybe, you’ve been logging on from Durham all along. </p>
<p>As for the question about how the recession will affect UNC and the op’s choice between Wash U and UNC. As others have stated there are too many other striking contrasts between these two schools to let the question of budgetary cutbacks be the deciding factor. You either want a public university experience–with all its advantages (eadad!) and disadvantages (keepittoyourself!) or you want to play/pay it safe. You’ll be in some big classes at UNC, but not all the time and not as you advance in your major.</p>
<p>i wanna thank the you guys. all those answers helped a lot. im undecided about my major but i like social studies so chances are it will be political science/psychology or something similar. i dont think the cutbacks will affect it that much. while i have you here though, what do you think of comparing unc with the fellows program to uva with the echols program?</p>
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<p>My mother’s dead, you insensitive clod.</p>
<p>keepittoyourself; </p>
<p>I’m very sorry. It was stupid and insensitive of me to go there without knowing you. I will not venture lightly into areas where I have no business again. I didn’t intend harm but carelessly I caused it. I am deeply sorry. I am hanging up my CC hat. Posts out of boredom that can inadvertently lead to the pain and/or distraction I have caused you have no value whatsoever. aghh. </p>
<p>smbsmom</p>
<p>smbs mom, you are NOT an insensitive clod so please stop apologizing and please don’t stop posting. If in fact, keepittoyourself’s mother is actually deceased, there’s no way you could possibly have known it. If you search his/her previous posts you will find many unkind and insensitive remarks directed toward others, so I suspect you are being bullied here.</p>
<p>Please don’t take his insulting remarks to heart.</p>
<p>Joblue: I don’t believe always believe what Keepittoyourself says is true, but I do believe her on this one and in fact she sent me a kind PM to reduce my level of stress. I made a mistake speculating about a personal part of a college student’s life in a public forum and learned my lesson. I’m in a self imposed time out from CC (starting now) but I’ll be back I’m sure eventually just more carefully. Buttermilk, good luck making your decision. Can this horrific thread stop now? Please?</p>