University of North Carolina Asheville (UNC Asheville)

Students applaud the way the University of North Carolina—Asheville works to “provide and promote many opportunities for professional development, unique ways of learning, scholarships, programs, and further education for students.” The curriculum offers numerous hands-on learning opportunities such as “outdoor labs, field trips, off-campus experiences, [and] paid trips to conferences.” There’s an “enthusiasm for undergraduate research,” and the opportunity to “present results to my peers and other interested people has been an incredible experience.” As a result, students feel they can “go out to the job market or on to grad school with robust experience.” Students also point to the “constant availability and flexibility provided by professors and staff,” and small class sizes that mean “each student gets individual attention, which makes it easier to succeed,” especially as the teachers are “really good at cultivating relationships with students.” Courses are far from cookie-cutter, as faculty members have “their own way of going about things,” and “classes feel fun because you can tell they really enjoy sharing their love for their subject with others.” UNCA’s professors are widely adored and have been called “wonderful forces of good” who “are kind, understanding, and incredibly qualified.” One student reflects on the direction faculty provide: “Many of my friends who came in not knowing what they wanted to do have been guided by our professors…and have even gained significant relevant experience.”

UNCA’s size makes it “pretty tight-knit and allows for a lot of great relationships between both students and staff/faculty,” and “people are very willing to chat.” Many students “balance coursework with research, community work, or creative projects,” and there is “a strong culture of showing up, whether that means late nights in a lab, student-led discussions in class, or public outreach events around Asheville.” One student fondly describes their peers as “a mass of unique styles and personalities” who are “boldly themselves and amazing at expressing who they are.” There “is a large LGBT community within the student body,” and everyone here “expresses themselves in very outward ways (hair color, piercings, tattoos, clothing, etc.).” This is “a cool crowd of people who value art, friends, [and] the wilderness,” as well as a liberal student body “who attempt to be as politically active as possible…[and are] defined by an effort to improve and a willingness to stand for what they believe.”

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the University of North Carolina—Asheville is “surrounded by beautiful trees all around,” so time outdoors is practically a given. One student says, “It’s normal to hike after class, drive a few minutes to a trailhead, or sit somewhere quiet with friends,” and there are “hammock set-ups throughout campus that students will often be working, reading, or napping in.” The Student Environmental Center often runs events, and they sometimes “have a free store or get local environmental-focused orgs to partner with them” to disperse goods. Dabbling is easy at UNCA, aided by “fun clubs that encourage students to engage in hobbies like gaming, crafting, [and] Dungeons & Dragons,” and many also attend campus-wide events such as RockyPalooza, Syllabi and Spaghetti, and Late Night Breakfast. The entire community “is very connected to the arts,” and downtown Asheville is an easy city bus ride away, where students can enjoy “the closeness to the city without feeling the hustle and bustle of the city.” The “River Arts District is great,” and students can also find an “inviting art scene, culture for foodies, boutique shopping, and lots of group activities/festivals in the area.” There’s a reinvigoration that comes from knowing “each day has opportunities to…have fun or try something new!”

It's not surprising to learn that UNC Asheville graduates do well on the job market—they have access to a premiere career center that operates as a one-stop shop for individuals on the job or internship hunt. First-year students can swing by and spend some time exploring careers and college majors, and juniors and seniors often visit for career coaching and advising. The Career Center also hosts many worthwhile events: students can attend weekly employer and graduate school spotlights as well as information sessions with programs like the Peace Corps. Additionally, the university hosts numerous career fairs each academic year. And it runs a robust internship program in which students can earn course credit (upon successful completion).