An old well that blesses students who drink from it on the first day of class with good luck. A sports team that takes its name from a Civil War legend.
Tradition is valued at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and there is little wonder why - the school has been bursting with pride since it opened its doors in 1789.
Today, old is mixed with new as students combine timeless rituals with the modern-day college life of classes, extracurriculars and parties. Because of this, UNC at Chapel Hill has the distinction of being a fun-loving, yet prestigious school. The school also boasts top-notch academics, a beautiful campus and popular student organizations that range from football to the award-winning newspaper.
Looking for a large, high-spirited school? Your parents want you to attend an institution that upholds values? UNC at Chapel Hill is sure to please. After all, the Princeton Review ranked students at UNC Chapel Hill as the eighth happiest in the country.
Location: Chapel Hill, N.C.
Campus: Suburban
Type: Public
Size: Large (More than 17,000 undergraduates)
Student/faculty ratio: 14:1
Popular majors: Communications/journalism, social sciences, biology, business/marketing, psychology
Athletic division: Division I for most sports
Average SAT score: 590-690 (reading), 610-700 (math), 580-680 (writing)
Acceptance rate: 34 percent
Tuition: $20,998 out-of-state, $7,960 room and board
Web site: www.unc.edu
Picture from www.stateuniversity.com
According to my Tar Heel lore, UNC Chapel Hill is the nation's oldest public university. The first class convened in 1795, not 1789. It is the only public university in the U.S. to graduate a class in the 18th century (1799).