North Carolina: three days, five colleges

Elon University

A classic New England campus in the south, with new buildings designed to fit with the original 1889 “neighborhood.” Happy students (many from the northeast) choose business, education, arts and sciences, and Elon’s communications program, which is consistently top-ranked, along with its study abroad. No need to choose a major till sophomore year. ABET-accredited engineering program in beautiful new building; D1 sports, Greek life (spring rush); direct-entry nursing.

Wake Forest University

Rain shortened my tour but I met with our longtime NJ rep. He clarified the rolling admission policy: apply after August 1st but don’t delay. Answer those creative essay questions and schedule your interview (choose the latter only if you are enthusiastic and driven academically). Wake’s sprawling, wooded campus features formal gardens and a new wellbeing center. STEM students study in their own modern downtown Winston Salem campus. Traditions and culture abound, and D1 Demon Deacons games draw crowds, especially for basketball.

University of North Carolina Chapel Hill

The oldest US public university, founded in 1793, UNC is a dream school for many. Downtown Chapel Hill and campus offer students, who bleed the trademarked “Carolina Blue,” all they need. Hopeful applicants should know that NC-Chapel Hill received 57,219 first-year applications for fall 2022. The overall acceptance rate was 16.8 percent – 43.1 percent for North Carolina applicants and 8.2 percent for out-of-state. A top-funded research university, two individual UNC epidemiologists helped develop Remdesivir and the Moderna vaccine.

University of North Carolina at Raleigh

Though only 9% OOS were admitted in 2022, I saw why UNC State is so popular! No need to declare a major until sophomore year and no major is capped. Ten colleges, 100 majors, including pre-health, pre-law, and pre-vet (#4 veterinary school in the US), and professors and facilities are all top-ranked. Robots get students' books at the Hunt Library. Campus-based companies hire students for co-ops. Adjacent Hillsborough Street offers a Target, coffee shops and restaurants. The top D1 Wolfpack teams-especially basketball-are cheered on by all. “Think and Do” is the motto!

Duke University

I did a self-guided tour and met with a general admissions counselor (Duke no longer offers regional reps). An unbelievably beautiful campus set in 8,300 acres of southern forest, Duke’s Gothic architecture, landmark chapel, and gracious feel make it classic on the level of Oxford or Cambridge. World-class in every academic regard, there are two colleges only: Arts and Sciences and Engineering. Duke’s sports fanaticism is legendary.

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