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I will be graduating in December from Binghamton University in New York State. I am looking to move to NC for Graduate school (pursuing an MPA-Masters in Public Administration). My girlfriend works in public relations and will be moving down to NC with me.
I am looking for the best schools in NC (right now on my list are NC State, Appalachian State, and UNC Charlotte) that are also located in areas where there is:
fun stuff to do for young adults
relatively low cost rent for apartments
friendly, caring people
Networking and job opportunities
good economy
Awesome food
There are obvious differences between a Charlotte/ Raleigh vs a Boone, but I am looking for advice from NC residents who know all of the areas mentioned.
Durham has been rated a best city for foodies, so I would say that "awesome food" could be found there. Your criteria, however, are probably in inverse proportion to the cost of living.
I don't know what Le Roi's problem with NC State is. That's a great school too, unless you just need to have a basketball team that gets accolades. It seems to fit all your other requirements. Good food and reasonable rents can be found in Raleigh.
How about applying for the best grad program you can get into...
and then making the nest of life wherever that may be for 2 years?
You didn't ask for this advice, but I tend to agree with MrRational... quality of education should be first priority and quality of life secondary. After all, it's only 2 years. Your degree is for the rest of your life. Yes, I'm afraid I sound like the old person I am.
Appalachian is a very good school, but Boone does not equal low rent, especially since you're not going to be bunking in with 4 or 5 other students. Not only do you have to factor in cost of student rentals, but also the impact of tourism and second homes on the local real estate market. Of the three places you mentioned, Boone would have the least opportunity for local networking and job prospects for your girlfriend.
I guess I should rephrase my description, this is my first post so bear with me.
The order of importance in my choosing a Grad school is as follows:
1. Quality of education.
2. Price of Education
3. Cost of Living
4. Job prospects (for me and the gf)
5. and then all the fun stuff (food, nightlife, etc.)
To narrow the focus of this thread, I would like to know the difference between the following in terms of what the reputation is of both the school and the city.
Raleigh-NC State
Charlotte- UNC Charlotte
Boone- Appalachian St.
As well as any other schools of high caliber that I have not mentioned yet would fit in this list.
*I am intentionally leaving out UNC Chapel Hill because it I understand it is probably the best school out of the bunch but at the same time is more difficult to get into*
Location: The place where the road & the sky collide
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Based on what your girlfriend does, I'd suggest that she apply for jobs in Charlotte, Raleigh, & Philadelphia & you should add U of P to your list. See where she can get a job, then go for the school.
Thanks for the clarification - we didn't mean to be too hard on you. I did the MPA program at Chapel Hill, but it was many years ago. I haven't kept up with the reputations of MPA programs in NC for a long time. Sorry.
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