Explore New Interests at Carolina

Carolina students go on to do some pretty amazing things after spending four years with us. Last up in our short series of senior stories is Sarb...

When I came to Carolina, I was mainly focused on academics and research with a few hours reserved each week to cheer on our world-class sports teams. The one commitment I had that wasn’t purely academic was Admissions Ambassadors, which I joined to improve my public speaking skills in hopes of delivering better academic presentations. Ironically, it was my fellow Ambassadors who inspired me to break out of my academic shell and experience all that Carolina has to offer.

While listening to other Ambassadors’ service experiences, I was amazed at the scope and impact of their commitment to their respective causes. Their passion and enthusiasm opened my eyes to the many opportunities available at Carolina and helped me realize that developing other interests could only help my research and academics. I began to tutor and volunteer at area hospitals and with my friends’ service organizations. I’m now a Buckley Public Service Scholar and a Carolina Research Scholar, and I recently completed a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship. Each of these rich experiences helped me earn admission into the School of Medicine at the University of Virgina, where I will begin studying in the fall.

If you haven't yet enrolled, the deadline to do so is tomorrow at 11:59 PM ET! Remember that you can enroll electronically through MyCarolina.

Have a question for Sarb? Post it below.

Discover Your Passions at Carolina

Carolina students go on to do some pretty amazing things after spending four years with us. Next up in our short series of senior stories is Symone...

My name is Symone, and I’m a Carolina Covenant Scholar from Durham, NC double majoring in sociology and African American studies. When I came to Carolina four years ago, I was 100% sure that I wanted to be a nurse. It wasn’t until my sophomore year that I realized my passions lay elsewhere.

Through the liberal arts foundation that Carolina provides, I was able to explore a variety of subjects, which is how I discovered my interest in sociology. After taking a course entitled “Blacks in North Carolina,” I added African American studies as my second major. I finally felt as though I had found my way academically, but I still didn’t know what I wanted to do after graduation.

I decided to reach out to one of my professors, Geeta Kapur, because I greatly admired the passion she had for her legal work and the excitement she brought to it. That was probably one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. She encouraged me to take time to reflect and think about what motivated and inspired me. Thanks to Professor Kapur, I was able to define my passion, which is to provide underprivileged children with the resources and opportunities that will transform their outlook and enhance their future.

Armed with this new purpose, I began researching opportunities that aligned with my goals. As soon as I found the Carolina College Advising Corps, I knew that it was the perfect organization for me. I’m so honored to begin working as a college advisor this fall and to help low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented high school students pursue higher education!

Have a question for Symone? Post a comment below.

Expand Your Network at Carolina

Carolina students go on to do some pretty amazing things after spending four years with us. Next up in our short series of senior stories is Jane...

My name is Jane, and I’m a senior from Charlotte, NC. As I prepare to graduate in a few weeks, I can’t help but be thankful for all that I have experienced during my time at Carolina. In addition to being some of the most intelligent people I’ve ever met, my classmates are also incredibly kind and welcoming. Instead of fierce competition, we work together to accomplish our goals and change the world.

Majoring in journalism and double minoring in information systems and entrepreneurship connected me with a diverse range of student organizations – from Women in Entrepreneurship to Students for the Ackland Art Museum. I also served as vice president of my sorority, Delta Delta Delta, and I’m still close with friends I made while living on campus my first year. As a campus ambassador with Twitter, Square, and Google, I’ve had the unique opportunity to build my professional network and collaborate with other student leaders by spreading my passion for innovative technology.

The Carolina network is invaluable, and I’ve learned that it extends far beyond Chapel Hill. Not only did I travel to New York with the Advertising Club, but I spent two summers interning in Los Angeles and San Francisco. I’ll actually be heading back to California in the fall to begin working for Google, which is something I wouldn’t have been able to achieve without the support of my Carolina community!

Have a question for Jane? Post it below.

Keeping America Beautiful

We may be a bit biased, but we think Carolina has one of the most beautiful campuses in the world (perhaps even the universe), and it’s surrounded by Chapel Hill – an area Sports Illustrated once named the perfect college town. Clearly, we agree. And we definitely feel that we’re making a contribution to April’s Keep America Beautiful Month.

There are so many stunning sights on campus that it’s hard to know where to begin...

For some, the Greek-inspired Playmakers Theater (pictured above) is Carolina’s pièce de résistance. 

For others, it’s the North Carolina native plants and secret gardens found in Coker Arboretum (pictured above).

Many appreciate the history of the Davie Poplar (pictured above) and there are those who marvel at Morehead Planetarium (pictured below). These are just a few of the scenes that make Carolina so beautiful.

For even more spectacular sights, check out this recent Tar Heel Blog post. You can also view our interactive online tour and download our Tour Carolina mobile app.

Of course, the interactive tour and mobile app are amazing, but the best way to experience the beauty of campus is under our Carolina Blue sky! Click here to schedule a visit and student-led campus tour, so can you take in the beauty of Carolina firsthand!

What a Carolina Degree Can Do For You

Carolina students go on to do some pretty amazing things after spending four years with us. Over the next two weeks, we'll share some of their stories with you. First up is Kahlil...

My name is Kahlil, and I’m a senior from New Carrollton, MD studying economics and political science. During my nearly four years at Carolina, I’ve been able to grow and carve out my niche through the extracurricular and academic opportunities I’ve explored.

As a Pogue Scholar, I studied abroad in Santiago, Chile, which was one of the best things I’ve ever done. It broadened my worldview and gave me real-world experience to accompany my Spanish minor. My involvement in organizations such as Phi Beta Kappa, Ebony Readers Onyx Theater, and Carolina Language Partnership exposed me to diverse students who challenged and strengthened my beliefs and opinions.

Although I came to Carolina to study political science, I quickly fell in love with economics because it caused me to think in a different way and consider the logical motivations for every action. Professor Ralph Byrns was the first person to explain economics to me, and he used personal experiences to make the topics relatable. The quality of education I’ve received at Carolina and the experience I’ve gained helped me earn admission into the School of Business at Wake Forest University, where I was awarded a Corporate Fellowship to complete my master’s degree in management.

I’m excited that you’re considering Carolina and sincerely hope that you’ll join our community in the fall. 

Have a question for Kahlil? Post a comment below.

7 Reasons to Apply to Carolina

Happy New Year! We hope your 2013 is shaping up to be the best yet. As a reminder, if you haven't already applied for first-year admission to Carolina, our final deadline of January 7, 2013 is just days away. You still have time, so why not make a New Year's resolution to apply to Carolina?

Need another reason? We'll give you seven. Carolina students not only dream big, they possess the initiative to make those dreams a reality. In the early days of this new year, we thought you might enjoy learning about how seven of our current students are taking advantage of the endless opportunities Carolina offers.

1. Alfredo interned at Goldman Sachs in New York.
2. Mallory pays it forward as co-president of Carolina Firsts.
3. Brandon is a tutor for Carolina's Summer Bridge Program.
4. Yu is the founder of Young Scholars International.
5. Madison spent two months in Jordan studying Arabic.
6. Whitney is completing an honors thesis related to mental health in adolescents.
7. Fedor will research biological noise in desensitization.

These are just seven of the countless Carolina students who are making their mark on the world in their own way. Read about more students.

If you applied to Carolina already, we thank you for your application, and we are enjoying getting to know you. Once you do apply, please log into your MyCarolina account to check the status of your application.

We wish you the best as you set your own goals for a happy and prosperous New Year.

Carolina Moments

A group of our admissions ambassadors asked their fellow students, "What's your favorite Carolina moment?" What's the one moment that epitomizes their experience as a Carolina student? Check it out!

If you're a current student interested in applying to become an admissions ambassador, see their website for all the details!

Don't "Paws" Too Long: Carolina's Enrollment Deadline is Tomorrow!

It's been a crazy few weeks here on campus.

From President Obama's visit to final exams to Neil DeGrasse Tyson, there's been a lot of activity at Carolina lately.

Amidst all the hustle and bustle, it's been tough to find a few moments of calm. More than once, I've found myself feeling like this:

"AHH! APRIL! AHH!"

This is Whiskey. She's a therapy dog, part of a team that comes to campus during exam week to provide stress relief for students, faculty, and staff. Whiskey and her fellow therapy dogs work with patients at the NC Children's Hospital, assisted living homes, and other area medical centers to provide calming care to aid in the healing process. Whiskey, Mazie, and Teddy spent last Thursday in the Park Library of the J-School, ready and eager to give tail wags and puppy kisses in return for belly rubs and  treats - and, of course, lots of pictures. Silvia, Whiskey's mom/handler, told us that in the beginning, Whiskey was a jumper - very eager, very smart, but not so refined. Now, Whiskey knows that the day after she gets her bath, it's time to go to work. When the bandanas come out, it's game on.

Whiskey has some choices to make, too.

As we make this final push towards tomorrow's enrollment deadline for our admitted first-year students (admitted transfers, you still have until May 16), we know that this is a crazy time of year for you, too. Some of you have already decided upon your plans for the fall and are now sifting through mountains of information about housing, orientation, and thinking about what you'll study next year. But some of you are still in the throes of making a very big decision: which school will be the best fit for you? Which school will enable you to grow as a scholar AND as a person? Which school has the opportunities for research, study abroad, internships, public service,  academics and connections with great students that are most important to you?

Sometimes advice can be heavy-handed.

Lots of people are offering you advice and guidance - some of it welcome, some of it subtle, some of it...less so. It seems everyone has an opinion and sorting through all your options can be pretty overwhelming.

After learning about the amazing things you've already accomplished from reading your applications, we are so excited about the possibility of you joining our community and making an impact here at Carolina. But our hopes and dreams are secondary to yours: in the end, this is YOUR decision. 

 YOU are the one who's going to college and YOU are the one who will be living on campus, taking classes, and deciding how to spend your time. And in the end, what's important is that you choose the school that enables you to grow, learn, and become the person you want - and deserve - to be.

Whiskey's found her happy place - now it's your turn to find yours.

If you have any questions or concerns about enrolling at Carolina, please continue to reach out to us and let us know - we're here by phone (919.966.3621) and email (unchelp@admissions.unc.edu). We hope to see you on campus in the fall!

Admitted transfer students: Ease your stress by remembering to RSVP for the Academic Advising Program’s transfer student welcome reception on Friday, May 4 from 4:30-6:30 pm. This is a great opportunity to meet professors, current students, and your new classmates in an informal setting. You will get to hear from current transfer students and enjoy light refreshments overlooking Kenan Football Stadium. Friends and family members are welcome to attend with you.

Reese News Asks "Why Carolina?"

UNC Class of 2015 Survey from reesenews on Vimeo.

In this video from Reese News, student multimedia journalists Jacki Huntington and Andrew Dye set out to discover what attracted the students of the class of 2015 to Carolina. Reese News is a digital news publication that's entirely student-run -- from reporting and editing to programming and design. Check it out!