duke and unc-chapel hill students/alumni (Raleigh, Asheville: home, schools, universities)

[alohalady]

We are from Massachusetts and my daughter is searching for colleges in NC. Any feedback about Duke and/or UNC-Chapel Hill would be appreciated. Do students from New England and from North Carolina mix well together?

[cowboy_wilhelm]

I believe a large majority of Duke students are not from North Carolina, mostly New England (no idea on the actual number). The three involved in the Duke lacrosse case were all from New England/northeast (not that that has anything to do with it, but the fact that three out of the whole team and student body were from there should tell you something). UNC has more in-state students, but a fair number from out of state. I recall eating at Top of the Hill on Franklin St. that our waitress was a student and was from Vermont.

Duke, being a private university, is very expensive. Also harder to get into. My sister graduated from UNC Asheville magna *** laude and wasn't accepted to Duke law, but was to Chapel Hill law. It might not be as hard for undergraduate, or even similar requirements.

I can't imagine she would have any trouble getting along with anyone. Both universities are so large that you'll find a wide diversity of people to get along with. If she is interested in science or engineering, take a look at N.C. State in Raleigh as well.

[alice_61]

A New Englander would be fine at UNC.

[X-Greensboro Resident]

Friends don't let friends go to Duke! I don't care where you're from, there is only one UNC, Go Tarheel blue!!!

[anonymous]

I can tell you that, as an out-of-stater, it's very difficult to get into UNC relative to Duke. For example, a girl in my graduating H.S. class (in South Carolina) got a full scholarship to Duke, and was flat-out turned down by UNC. (She went to NCSU). Yet, from in-state North Carolinians, I hear the opposite.

From what I've been told by guidance counselors, teachers, etc., the out of state people that can get into UNC (at least from South Carolina) might as well go to Princeton, Yale, Stanford, etc. instead.

I don't think this answers your question, but it's just something that came to mind.

[edit: To be fair, I'm talking about undergraduate engineering. It probably varies based on majors]

[RaleighRob]

Forget both...go to NCSU and get a degree that'll mean something in the job world. heheheh!

[alice_61]

Like many state supported schools, UNC is required to take a large percentage of state residents. That makes it easier to get in as a NC resident than as someone from out of state.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by anonymous

I can tell you that, as an out-of-stater, it's very difficult to get into UNC relative to Duke. For example, a girl in my graduating H.S. class (in South Carolina) got a full scholarship to Duke, and was flat-out turned down by UNC. (She went to NCSU). Yet, from in-state North Carolinians, I hear the opposite.

From what I've been told by guidance counselors, teachers, etc., the out of state people that can get into UNC (at least from South Carolina) might as well go to Princeton, Yale, Stanford, etc. instead.

I don't think this answers your question, but it's just something that came to mind.

[edit: To be fair, I'm talking about undergraduate engineering. It probably varies based on majors]

Competition for admission to UNC is extremely tight no matter where you are from. They limit their freshman class to x- amount of new students a year. Last I checked there were only 1500 seats for kids actually from NC, and somewhat fewer out of state student seats a year (I think 500).

[sprtsluvr8]

It doesn't matter what area people are from as to whether they will get along...right? Also, the student population of a university, especially the major and nationally known ones, will be diverse in every way. Even at UNC-G there were students from every state in the U.S. and lots of different countries. How about Wake Forest? My dad went there...awsome school.

[mm_mary73]

Originally Posted by alohalady

We are from Massachusetts and my daughter is searching for colleges in NC.

Why? Last I heard, Harvard, Yale, Princeton were still there. Out-of-state tuition in NC is HORRENDOUS, unless, of course, your daughter has a scholarship! Duke is ~$30K/year, if not more. Certainly you don't believe that it would be "easier" for an out-of-state student to get in at Chapel Hill or Duke, rather than their home Ivy League schools.....