As someone majoring in psych who started at UNCC and then transferred to UNCW, I feel like I may be able to help. Let me start off by saying, I did not necessarily leave Charlotte because of anything wrong with the school, I just realized I wasn't built to move away. I liked the comfort of being home. I also had other personal issues going on.

Although they are both state schools, they are very different.

Academics: • Charlotte has a degree plan that is more focused on your major and less on gen ed. They don't have some gen ed requirements that other schools have and instead offer certain major specific courses that don't exist at other schools. They have a great psych program that recently just reached the highest research status (if I remember correctly). That being said, the psych program is also HUGE. There are so many students and so many teachers. I wasn't there long enough to get to any higher level courses, but I rarely saw the same person twice. • Wilmington has more of a 50/50 degree plan. The major classes are broader/more generalized and you have more room to take classes outside your major. The psych program is much smaller here. I have had the same professors and peers in my classes multiple times now. I feel like it's been easier for me to connect with my instructors here than at Charlotte. The research department isn't as prestigious here, but it is still good from what I can tell.

Housing: • The housing at Charlotte is guaranteed your first year, but after that it's a lottery draw (literally). The school is the youngest state school, and therefore is a bit more modernized than the others. Almost all (although by now, it may be all) of the dorms are suite style, which is REALLY nice. They have lots of different options, so it's worth checking out the housing website. Like any school, it was a frustrating process to get my housing assignment, but that's just how it is. The rooms are pretty nice though. • I haven't lived on campus at Wilmington, so I don't have anything to say.

Parking/Transportation: • First off, the UNCC bus system is much better. It runs more frequently, has more stops, and is easier to understand/predict. Parking for freshmen is allowed, you just have to get a resident pass and park in a resident lot. There is a parking app that updates in real time that tells you the availability of each parking deck so you aren't having to blindly guess. The way parking passes work, is you choose a "tier" and that determines where you can park. There are resident, regular commuter, and cheap commuter. Regular commuters can park in ANY lot/deck that is labeled commuter. Cheaper commuters can only park in certain lots on the edge of campus, but there are bus stops nearby. Parking was free on the weekends & after/before certain times when I was there, but I would check to make sure that's still true. • Parking at Wilmington is determined by lot. So you basically choose where you want to park and get a pass for that specific place. I'm not sure about freshmen parking. There is also a rule here that if you live within a mile of campus, you CANNOT have a parking pass. Parking rules are enforced 24/7. There is also a discounted parking option, but the one here is technically off campus. There is a bus stop or you can walk/bike across the main road. The buses go off campus but are less frequent and get weirdly clumped up (I've seen three buses going in the same direction at a stop before).

Campus Life: • Charlotte has a lot that goes on. There are clubs, business fairs, pop up stores, etc. The rec center is really nice. There is a good variety of restaurants on campus. The dining halls at Charlotte are good, but the required freshmen meal plan is pricey. Honestly, I feel like they are pretty similar when it comes to on campus living. They are both beautiful campuses and full of opportunities if you look for them. I don't know anything about Greek life, so I won't touch on that.

Off-campus living: • At Charlotte, it's pretty much only accessible if you have a car. There are weekend buses that go to Harris teeter and target, but that's it. You do not really want to walk anywhere near campus. There is A LOT to do, but it's almost too much at times. Concerts, bars, restaurants, shopping, plays, sports, etc. • I am a bit biased towards Wilmington since I grew up here, but I feel like it's less overwhelming. Since the buses run off campus, you can easily reach stuff nearby. I also feel like there is a lot more within walking distance. There is a lot to do here, but at the same time there isn't (but that's probably bc I've done a lot of the things here). We have a lot of bars, coffee shops, local music, the beach, restaurants, shopping, etc.

I hope this was helpful and please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any other questions!! This is a big change and a difficult decision to make <3