Why Carolina?

Raw, unstaged, real Carolina

OK, so this is a short and simple one to answer.

I didn’t actually visit UNC until a week before “decision day” (that’s may 1, right?). At first, it seemed like other universities. There were informational programs for admitted students, meet a professor… no big deal. And then we went on our campus tour.

So what was it that clenched it for me? When I got to “the Pit” (the main gathering place on campus), I was so pleased and surprised to see everyone there.

At that moment, I realized that UNC was not only a place to come and learn, but a place where students lived and enjoyed being part of their campus.

From edge to edge, there were people, smiles on their faces. The sky was the perfect Carolina-blue. Tables with student groups of various sorts, which truly showcased the diversity of this school.

It was raw, unstaged, real Carolina.

I couldn’t even tell how ready I was to go here, but my dad could. When we were in the student stores, rather than the typical “grab a t-shirt and go” routine, he insisted on me getting a hat and buying bumper stickers for all the cars. I told him that I didn’t know what he was doing wasting money, as “I hadn’t made my decision yet.” He had the last laugh, for sure.

You want to know what the best part is? Every time I go through the pit between 11 and 2 any weekday, I see the same thing and get the same feeling.

--adam

ps-have a wonderful “application deadline December!!” I remember that stressful time so fondly : )

Below I am posting two emails so you can see some of the questions others have. Feel free to hit up the question line.

Question: What are the facilities at Carolina like for the broadcast journalism students?

Vince,

The facilities at Carolina are really great. In 1999. the School of Journalism and Mass Communication moved into a new building and was able to build state of the art facilities. For broadcast, we have our own fully equipped TV studio, broadcast quality cameras, linear and non-linear video editing, as well as all the facilities and equipment to
do radio work.

Just last year, the School was ranked as the #1 school for journalism in the country. Currently in the school we produce Carolina Week twice weekly. It is broadcast throughout Chapel Hill, Durham, Carrboro and even in Raleigh. Check out www.carolinaweek.org to get a feel for the show and this link for info about the program.

If you ever visit the campus, I would encourage you to schedule time to visit the school and classrooms by contacting the School of Journalism office: (919) 962-1204

Question: I’m interested in working with the Daily Tar Heel, but I don’t really have much experience. Do you think this will matter? What about when I get into the classes for journalism?

Ryann,

Working on the DTH really adds to your level of experience when it comes to journalism. But for that matter, work at any media outlet is really helpful. This includes on-campus magazines, as well as things that you might get involved with through the community.

I don't think the fact that you have not done anything with journalism in high school will stop you. The DTH hires new writers every semester, and you would have someone who could teach you the style. In the journalism school (which you don't really start until junior year) the teachers start with the basics for everyone.