Although I'm still considering transferring, I thought of the aspects possible upcoming students should take into consideration when choosing the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. UNCC is a great school, but it's definitely not for everyone. Here are eight things I wish I knew about UNCC before I decided to go here.
1. It’s definitely a commuter school.
Although there are many students who live on campus or in areas surrounding campus, UNCC still has a prevalent amount of commuters, which means our parking decks are always packed. Even though there are many commuters, the campus seems like an absolute ghost town on the weekends.
2. Get used to walking!
I have to admit, my first week on campus killed me. I remember checking my health app on my phone and seeing that I walked eight miles in a day, just due to walking around campus. There are a solid amount of hills and stairs that will definitely whip you into shape. After a while you’ll get used to it, don’t worry.
3. The population size.
Personally, one of my favorite aspects of UNCC is that it’s not an extremely large school population-wise, but it’s also not a small school. It’s a “medium” school, meaning you’re bound to see a new face every day, but still see some people you know around campus. It’s nice that there are so many different people with differing viewpoints, religions, and ethnicities.
4. There will probably always be construction.
It’s not necessarily a bad thing. Whenever I visit other schools, I realize how much nicer and newer the facilities are at UNCC.
5. The academics are improving.
When people hear “UNCC,” they don’t necessarily think of an academically prestigious school. Admissions are starting to get more competitive. At all colleges, there are extremely intelligent individuals and let’s just say lesser intelligent people to put things nicely. It’s up to you as a student to try your personal best and succeed. Also, don’t worry about how others may label or judge your school just because it’s not super-renowned.
6. Our football team is “eh.”
We just had our football stadium built a few years ago, so obviously this isn’t a big football school. Personally, I enjoy the tailgates that come with football games, but actually watching the games isn’t as fun #sorrynotsorry. Hopefully, in the upcoming years, we’ll improve.
7. This isn’t a party school.
There aren’t popping parties all the time. You can have a better chance of finding good parties off campus since dorm parties are a bit sketchy. The Greek houses on campus don’t throw parties too often, so keep that in mind. At least the clubs uptown are only twenty-something minutes away!
8. Access to Uptown Charlotte is nice.
Adventures in the city are always a good idea. There’s a multitude of restaurants, bars, parks, and museums. There are also sporting events, concerts, and clubs. The light rail is currently undergoing construction to extended into campus, which will provide easier access to the city. It’s supposed to open in 2017.
Overall, like any college, UNCC is what you make it. Put yourself out there, get involved with something on campus, find a good group of friends, work hard, and make the most out of your college experience!
