View from an ex-Tar Heel

Introduction
I attended UNC-CH as an international student, majoring in Public Policy. I chose UNC-CH because I loved the friendly atmosphere on campus while I was on a campus tour. Yes, most Tar Heels cooperate and help each other out easily, both academically and socially. The school makes you feel at home when you start off your college life, especially if you're from a small town. But, if you're used to city life, living in Chapel Hill can be a tough adjustment to that particular Southern atmosphere. Chapel Hill has lots of huge trees and squirrels everywhere: I personally enjoy the beautiful nature, but some might feel isolated as well.

Campus Life and Social Life
You can live without a car in Chapel Hill because UNC buses run everywhere on numerous lines, with limited lines on holidays. There are free shuttles between Duke and Chapel Hill if you want to take some classes at Duke. But, you'll need a car to go real shoppings (5 minute driving to big malls) and to go hang-outs in Raleigh (20 mintues driving).

Chapel Hill is a pretty college town. We don't have a huge mall/clubs/etc., but we have fantastic local bands playing at small-sized bars/clubs/restaurants/outdoors around the campus. Students can enjoy some ethnic restaurants, numerous clothing stores, and even a farmer's market and outdoor jazz in Carrboro, which is about a 15-minute walk from campus.

Living in Chapel Hill is a little more expensive than other places in NC. But, you can live in a decent apartment near campus at $250-350/month. Students prefer living off-campus because those apartments cost just half of the cost living on campus. Apartments are numerous around campus and easily accessible by school buses.

If you're taking summer classes, it is going to be QUIET, which can be both peaceful and boring. Advertisement
Academics
Hard majors are BIOL and CHEM. Business majors are the most popular, along with Nursing and Public Health. Most classes require lots of reading, which I had to do at least 4-5 hrs per day until my graduation. UNC is a huge research university. If you want to do your own research, visit the school office. They can fund your research and hook up with institutes at the research triangle. Honors programs/study abroad programs/other fellowships are well sponsored, too.

Student Body
Since most students are from NC, it seems about 1/4 students are gone home for weekends. I hardly see people around campus during holidays.

Campaigns and fundraising activities are always ongoing, centered around "the Pit." I've seen about 4-5 advocacy organizations newly created by students while I was in school. Students are actively involved in everything from political issues to int'l human rights. UNC-CH does have lots of Greek societies, but they are also very into helping people out.

UNC-CH is said to be an open-minded community to all kinds of groups of minorities, when compared to other parts of NC. Yes, it is a relatively open-minded community in the South. But, some students from California or the Northeast say that it is not.

In Closing...
If you love running, swimming, or biking, Chapel Hill is your home.