University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Top Questions

A junior claims that her best decision freshman year was spontaneously getting a job.

A junior tells how her worst decision freshman year was sticking to only a few campus activities.

A junior explains why one of her best decisions freshman year was learning Chapel Hill's bus system.

I think everyone would feel welcome at UNC--there is a huge variety of people, and I think it just takes finding your niche, but that there are just so many different people that anyone can do that. I can't speak to that too much, though, because I generally don't feel out of place. Maybe someone else has a better idea. Students are really laid-back as far as clothing--it is not unusual to see people wear sweat pants and t-shirts to class. Most students are politically aware and active, and while I think the student body is pretty evenly split conservative/liberal, the town and professors are overwhelmingly liberal.

They're awesome.

Everyone I know is smart, eager to learn, and completely driven.

Open-minded and predominately white.

Since I am both white and female, that puts me in two differnt majorities of UNC students, so I don't feel very qualified to talk about how other races may or may not feel out of place at UNC. However, being Jewish, I can tell you that despite what people's preconceived notions of the South and the Bible Belt might be, I found Jewish life at UNC to be overwhelmingly positive. Yes, you may run across the occasional Campus Crusade for Christ person who wants to convert you, but take comfort in the fact that it isn't personal - they try to convert everyone, even "lazy" Christians. Being a college campus, there is a typical liberal slant in terms of politics, but the conservative minority is quite a vocal one. And even though UNC isn't exactly burgeoning with diversity, considering the diversity in terms of race, religion, and sexual orientation, I think everyone gets along with everyone else for the most part and respects their fellow UNC-er.

I dont think anyone can feel out of place at UNC. Most people are from in state and they know a lot of other students before they even begin school, so that may intimidate some. But there is so much diversity on campus, and i would say that the student body is mostly liberal-minded and accepting of people from all walks of life. everyone is very driven to succeed at this school, and many people come to UNC to make money after graduation. But a truly sucessful student will be able to discover what makes him or her happy, and be able to make a living doing that after they leave UNC. The greek community seems to have a huge presence on campus, even though less than half the students are involved. They tend to dominate the social life at UNC which can be both good and sometime bad

pretty diverse, but vast majority is from charlotte, greensboro or raleigh, are from middle class afluent families, and are rebelling against "conservative pops" by avidly supporting the democrats. at any given table in the cafeteria you will most likely see a pretty diverse group based on sex and clothing brand. however i have noticed that they tend to remain rather divided on race... not that it doesnt happen but one just tends to flow with the same color skin. i have encounter very little if any racism however... it is harshly discouraged among all students.