University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Top Questions

They are hard, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. If you never studied in highschool, you are more than likely going to have to study ten times harder here, just to get a b or a c on a test. Also student here are very competitive.

The one thing that I really do miss about high school is the fact that every teacher knew me personally and asked about my life. Here, it sometimes feels that teachers are there to teach a class and leave; almost like they don't make students a part of their lives. I think that my opinion is somewhat biased, though, because the majority of my classes are very large science classes, where it is hard for a professor to get to know a class fo 230 and, for the most part, they are there to research, not teach a class. Aside from not having many personal relationships with professors, the academic quality of an education from Carolina far exceeds anything I ever anticipated. I find myself forming strong opinions on things that never mattered to me before I came and I have had to learn to think in a completely different way than I did in high school.

I try to do as little work as possible.

I love classes here, but some professors do need to realize that "learning" is not "spitting my own words back at me verbatim"

I could not think more highly of academic at UNC. The right classes will generate intensely stimulating discussions that are often continued outside of the classroom. I have majors in Peace, War, & Defense (PWAD) and International Studies, with a minor in Philosophy. The PWAD curriculum is very unique, as undergrad peace studies program are quite rare. As a liberal arts major, most of my classes have been geared towards learning rather than job skills. I have been impressed by several upper-level Poli Sci classes that directly seek to encourage critical thinking. The workload for most majors is not overly burdensome. Granted, although I came into college with 20 or so AP hours, I have been able to complete two majors, a minor, and have senior leadership in two organizations without having to sacrifice my social life. Science majors, however, tend to have their lives dominated with lengthy labs and difficult tests. There are a lot of bright people at UNC, as it is extremely competitive for out of state students and for certain areas of North Carolina - notably Wake and Mecklenburg counties. UNC tries to admit students from all over NC, thus it accepts the top students from more rural areas who are usually less competitive.

Im not so into school really.

Academics at UNC are academics at UNC, which means they are no walk in the park. Each of my classes has challenged me to do my best work and work my hardest. I have always loved school, from kindergarten to graduation, and now I love it even more than I ever imagined I could. So many professors are so passionate about what they teach and makes the students really care about what they have to say. The variety in classes is awesome! If you're interested in the most off the wall topic you could think of, there's a class for it!

There are two major complaints that I have with the academics at UNC. 1. The professors give TAs too much leeway in grading across the board. There needs to be a defined grading standard, especially in subjective work such as papers, so that everyone is being graded the same way, no matter who they have for their TA. I feel that there are some big discrepancies between sections of a class, especially when undergraduate TAs are given grading power. 2. I do not like the new academic requirements. I feel that I have taken a lot of classes that are not going to ever come into use in my life ever again. It seems more logical to give students suggestions based on their majors for the connections and approaches, but not a general standardized sheet for everyone.

They are great, a good value. UNC offers every type of class you could want. UNC has many strong majors.

Some professors know you by name, and some don't. I've found that I try hardest in classes where I really like and respect and am inspired by the teacher, and the majority of my professors have been incredible. Maybe it's because I am an English and Art History double-major, but my classes are centered around learning for learning's sake. I have developed great relationships with some of my professors outside of class by going to their office hours, etc. They have written me wonderful letters of recommendation for internships, and probably will for graduate school, when that happens.