Hi! I know I may be getting a biased response posting on this thread, but thought I’d throw this question out there anyway:
I was fortunate enough to be accepted early action at both UVA and UNC Chapel Hill. I am in-state for VA. I love both schools and can’t choose between them!
I plan to major in public health, psychology, or public policy as of now. Also, I would prefer a campus with political activity, preferably liberal. Also, somewhere accepting towards LGBT students would be great!
Thanks!
Congratulations on your accomplishment. You have great choices. I am assuming that UVA would save you a ton of $$ (looks like about $20K/year) that you could apply toward an advanced degree while receiving a world class education.
I don’t have personal experience with UVA so I will focus on UNC.
Carolina is definitely left leaning for a public university in the south. The school and student body are quite accepting of all people, including LGBT. There are many outlets for social activism, including a vibrant political scene.
As for your intended majors, UNC is ranked highly in the areas you mentioned.
Public Health: US News ranks UNC Gillings #2 overall, #1 public
Psychology:
Ranked #2 among Clinical Psychology Graduate Programs. U.S. News and World Report, 2017
Ranked #2 among Best Value Colleges for a Psychology Degree. Best Value Schools, 2016
Publc Policy (UNC Public Affairs):
US News ranks UNC Public Affairs Grad School #25
UVA has very high rankings also. Both top 5 Piublic Schools (US News: UVA #3, UNC #5).
If money is no object, visit both schools and talk to students and faculty in the areas of study that interest you. Go with the one where you feel most comfortable. If money is a factor, UVA is hard to beat. Best of luck to you!
Choose uva!! Unc is only 18% out of state and doesn’t have as much geographic diversify as uva does
Think about the in-state tuition!
Unless you plan to study engineering (not offered at UNC), the two schools are similar enough that I’d go with in-state tuition.
I think that the two are comparable, that you would get an excellent education at UVA while getting instate tuition! Plus it is close enough to DC that if you ever wanted to engage in activism there, it would be easy to organize a ride