#UNC Chapel Hill (OOS) vs. UVA (In-State)

38 messages · Page 1 of 1 (latest)

rigid falcon
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Hi all, I'm trying to decide between the two balancing budget and future potential. They are both elite (top ten) schools in my major!

**Intended Major: Classics **
Similarities: A lot, they are both large elite state schools in the T30 with a centuries long history in the classics. They have similar(ish) cultures and identities

UNC Chapel Hill
Pros
-I like the campus/culture more
-Better sports (I'm a nerd who likes sports okay)
-No one that I would know from high-school would be there (my school sends 10-15 ppl to UVA every year)
-I like Chapel Hill more than Charlottesville
-Classics department is VERY slightly stronger for undergraduate in my research interest
-I got into their honors program, an am guranteed various things from that

Cons
-About ~8k per year more expensive than UVA
-Could get jammed by future laws about OOS aid
-Most likely need to live off-campus for 3 years which introduces uncertainty

UVA
Pros
-Absolutely great program comprable to UNC
-Gurantees housing for two years
-About 2 hours from home, so not too close but not too far
-Have more ties to their department and know more classics faculty
-~8k cheaper than UNC

Cons
-Lowk don't like UVA's grounds
-Jnr/Snr housing in Charlottesville is infamous for being a nightmare
-Have sucked at sports the past few years

Tiebreaking Considerations
-Cost: UNC gave me good aid and on a cheaper meal plan by direct costs for next year would be ~21k. UVA gave me pretty good aid too as an instate and my direct costs would be about ~15k. Both schools offered ~8k (if including federal loan) in subsidized loans that aren't counted in the previous two numbers.
-Housing: UNC not guranteeing housing past freshman year really scares me. I'm afraid I could get jammed into housing/rent that would drive up the cost of the school considerably
-Study Abroad: I want to study abroad at a program called ICCS Centro. I don't know how that would affect the costs of either school

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I did get honors at UNC but i did not get echols at UVA (afaik)

grand tulip
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What major/career

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For 8k a year, I’d go unc based on what u want

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Def look into housing by talking to current students

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What’s ICCS centro? Most kids study abroad via their uni

signal mantle
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looks like unc might be a slightly better fit for you. maybe do some research on housing options after freshmen year, or ask the unc reddit about it? (idk the r/ link...) i had a similar concern for uf, but i checked apartments.com (you can filter by university) and the rent at surrounding apartments didnt seem too terrible. just know you'll probably have to recruit some friends to room with if you want to save money!!

rigid falcon
# grand tulip What major/career

So the reason Undergrad matters a lot for me is bc im trying to do smth I have a very slim chance of (getting into a PhD program to go into academia)

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bc classics is such a small field undergrad connections/research matters A LOT

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The Centro is the American school for classical studies in Rome, its the premier Classics abroad thing and would help me a lot (plus id love to live in Rome a semester). Duke founded and runs it by UVA and UNC are both original members

rigid falcon
topaz wigeon
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I can also speak to living off campus!! In the local area it's not impossible to find affordable housing, but it gets easier if you have roommates to split rent with. Depending on how close/far you are there are options to bus or drive into campus; I live about 15min drive away, and then bus in from a park and ride lot :)
I do want to add though, if you want to live on campus, it's not gonna be impossible. I had the option to stay on campus all 4 years without anything special (like no honors or special accommodations for it). Lots of juniors/seniors choose to move off campus for a variety of reasons, but idk if I would say housing is a huge problem

tidal sequoia
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i'd say unc for sure, the difference in cost isn't too much & honors college is absolutely amazing

rigid falcon
topaz wigeon
granite kettle
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8k over 4 years assuming no increases is gonna have you 32k in debt, and if you're doing a phd thats more time you probably won't pay it off, so if you can afford it UNC would make sense but be careful.

weak roost
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imo UVA is a better school and cheaper

wild wing
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uva

rigid falcon
wild wing
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mainly cause of housing situation becuase that is just as important as the programs especially when both are equally ranked

weak roost
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prettier campus

wild wing
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are u instate for uva?

weak roost
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but even at the same price uva has the edge

rigid falcon
rigid falcon
weak roost
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imo yes

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i rate uva higher

rigid falcon
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if you dont mind can I ask why? (not being belligerent, just trying to gather as many competing view points as possible to eventually inform decision)

wild wing
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lol just choose whatever fits u

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u cant go wrong with either one in this case

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and tuition is about the same

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its j personal preference atp

buoyant spade
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unc babes

sick owl
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very easy to get on campus housing at UNC it’s just pretty crappy lol. Also classics staff is amazing & helpful and it’s super easy to get good research at duke too!

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can’t speak to UVA but ya

rigid falcon
sick owl
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hmm idk where Cobb is but I’m in Horton rn, here and koury r amazing! u get ur own thermostat and the rooms r huuuge