University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Top Questions

From an outside perspective I would say many people view UNC as a 'white' and 'preppy' school. To some extent, this is true. There is a vibrant Greek life at UNC, with the majority of the fraternities and sororities consisting of rich white kids. However, after being at UNC for 4 years, I can say that that this university is composed of a very diverse range of students who all possess varying styles, interests and personalities. Aside from those in the Greek community, the stereotypical groups at UNC would include ex-jocks, hippies (UNC is a liberal arts university), hipsters, geeks and those who like to party. Overall, with an undergraduate enrollment just below 20,000 students there is place for everyone to fit in. One common thread that ties the University and all stereotypes together is sports, particularly the Men's basketball team. Basketball is close to a religion in Chapel Hill with almost all students displaying immense pride and enthusiasm for our Tar Heels.

UNC is the stereotypical melting pot for students throughout North Carolina. There are plenty of different groups, whether it is athletes or greek life, but most of the students were some of the best students at their high schools. UNC kids love basketball, and this is pretty much always true, whether they were raised on it or whether they had never been to North Carolina before coming here. The girls really are gorgeous and numerous, so feel free to get to know them and you'll be pleasantly surprised.

.

n/a

Frat guys and sorority girls are the most common stereotypes of students at UNC. Greek life is popular at UNC since it has 53 registered fraternities and sororities. Some people view these students as stuck up or as people who party too much. While the Greek life is popular at UNC, most students prove the stuck up stereotype as inaccurate. UNC is one of the most welcoming and kind atmospheres to be in.

I love the social culture at Carolina because it's hard to say that there is one definite Carolina "type." We're home to a number of Greek organizations, for those who want to party; we have an elite honors program and countless academic resources for those who are dedicated to their studies; Chapel Hill and the neighboring town of Carrboro are part of a legendary music scene, and Carrboro also has a variety of independently-owned shops and galleries for those who want a different cultural experience. And of course, there are hundreds of campus organizations to suit any student's interests and personality. Carolina is composed of a population of talented students, but within that population, there exists a diversity of identities and types that allows for any student to find his or her place.

A common stereotype of UNC students is that they are all jocks. While many students are athletic -- it's uncommon to attend a D-1 school without an interest in sports -- it isn't an entirely jock-filled student body. However, you won't have trouble finding participants for your intramural sports team. Greek life is prevalent but can be easily avoided if that's your preference. UNC is also considered to be a highly liberal institution, but that's only because many of the students from more rural parts of North Carolina are quite conservative and find any evidence of liberal views surprising and perhaps off-putting. The campus is generally tolerant, but it's no Oberlin or NYU.

The stereotype of students at my school is 'prep.' In HS, when I first told my friends I was thinking about going to UNC, they told me, 'I really don't see you going there.' That's because I don't really fit into any one category, be it nerdy, athletic or anything else. In the end, I did go to UNC, despite nobody really being able to see me there. In the end, I found out that although that stereotype is largely true, it is not absolutely true. Maybe it's the social circles that I personally prefer, but I've met a lot of great people who aren't necessarily preps-- but they're not necessarily anything else either. So, as many stereotypes are, I think it's based on some truth - there will always be your typical sorority chicks and frat guys, no matter what college campus you're on. But a stereotype shouldn't keep you from going to a school if that's where you want to go - it sure didn't stop me!

There are two basic traditional stereotypes of UNC-Chapel Hill. The first stereotype is that everyone is what you expect from a liberal University: a hippie. The other comes from being an old, southern money schools: rich Greek kids. Although some of these stereotypes are true (stereotypes sadly stem from somewhere) there are students of every kind and students that break the stereotypes. There are Greek kids who are not stuck-up or wealthy and are accepting of every one. There are hippies that are open to listening to everyone's opinion and do eat meat. There are so many people that everyone will find their "niche" whether it is intramural sports, partying, studying, UNC basketball, etc. One of the reasons that UNC is such an incredible school is that there is no school with comparable diversity.

Basketball is the first thing that comes to mind. Walk past the Dean Dome in the winter, strut around campus in March, or stroll down Franklin Street in December, and I'll guarantee you'll see UNC students wearing those distinctive, delightful blue T-shirts supporting our hoop dreams. Gays. It's true, UNC is a very liberal campus, and with that comes the image of a skinny boy in tight, black-washed jeans, a plaid button-up, and Superman glasses. No hate here. We love them all. Freedom. The Pit is the center of our campus, and it's name is Free Speech. We pay homage to the Pit Preacher, no matter how crazy Gary is, or what sins he says we're committing today. Franklin Street. Like I said, we're a basketball school, and there's no better proof of that than the rush of 15,000 kids to Franklin Street, as we celebrate by jumping over bonfires and ripping down street signs on the night that we beat Duke or win the national championship