Reviews

Being in this school has help me see a different prospective of live. Professors are always glad in helping you. It is very obvious that they all enjoy teaching and learning from the students. I am very glad I choose this school to being my life long career.

It is smaller than some universities in North Carolina, but it has so much to give. People all very welcoming. The scene all over Asheville is gorgeous.

This is great for any person who enjoys studying, having fun with friends, going hiking, skiing, mountain biking and rock climbing. Also for people who likes the night life. There is always something to do in Asheville. Everyone will enjoy being in UNCA.

Get used to stairs. They're everywhere!

Good balance.

Always lots of stuff going on in dorms if you're a social person. If you're like me and you're not a social person, you'll be fine, too, as long as you stay in your room.

Really, really, healthy/organic focus on campus. Not really my thing. But then again I guess that's why I haven't gained the freshman fifteen...

Oh, loads of stuff!

-Free movie screenings (recent stuff like Jurassic World and Avengers 2!)
-Well-equipped gym free to use
-Free fitness classes (my favorite have been Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Taekwondo, but most people just go to Yoga)
-Free access to game room (pool tables, Xbox 360, ping pong)
-Library has a free video production lab and a media design lab if you're a film/media person
-Free events (lots of Halloween parties/ dance parties, trivia nights, open mic nights)

If you don't live on campus, this school is a ridiculously good value.
(I'm a NC resident and I live on campus so that's like more than half my costs right now.)
But man, can't believe how well-priced this school is.

-Outdoorsy
-Want to meet cool new people
-Strapped for cash
-Don't know what you want to major in
-LGBT+
-Vegan/Vegetarian/Organic/Gluten-Free/Other special dietary concerns
-Politically left-leaning

There's literally something for everyone. And if not, make your own club and other people will be bound to join.

Not very prominent. And not scary like in the movies, which is good.

I've never felt unsafe as a girl walking home alone in the dark.
I've even walked a mile to and from Dunkin' Donuts at 4:30 am and I still felt pretty safe. Just be sure to call Campus police if you need help, they'll get there faster than 911.

It's all how you make it. Some people love it here because they are artsy and different. Others, like myself, will probably transfer because it's definitely not how they pictured it.

Have an open mind. If you're not from the area, you will come to UNC Asheville and have a culture shock. There are many unique people here that I for sure was not used to.

Being in the Honors Program has set me in the course to be challenged, and challenged I am. The professors make you work hard, but they are super nice and will always give out help if you ask.

Some of the dorms, like the Ridges and Overlook, are super nice while others, like Mills and Founders. are a pretty dumpy.

The dining hall has some pretty good options, but it's still cafeteria food and will probably upset your stomach. The other places to eat are pretty good but they are so expensive and will waste up your dining dollars. They do have good options for vegetarians and vegans, also.

If you are outdoorsy, there is much to do. If you aren't, good luck finding something to do. Pretty much every weekend there is some hiking or canoeing trip to go on, but that isn't some peoples thing. There are some sports clubs starting up though. There is no football team, which is very disappointing but I am excited for basketball games.

Personally, since tuition is rising I don't think there is that bang for the buck like they advertise, especially for an out of state student.

When you first arrive as a freshman and when you finally leave as a graduate, you will walk by the statue of the mascot, Rocky, and pat him on the head for good luck,

This school is great for artsy people and for people that will have friends come with them.

Hands down, the safest University in North Carolina.

unca is a wonderful place. the environment is friendly and conducive to learning and the people are great. attending here will give you as many opportunities to learn outside the classroom as it does in the classroom.

you should definitely be sure you want to go here. unca is a unique campus with all sorts of unique people. to enjoy living and learning here, you have to have an open mind, and be willing to let it become even more opened than it already is.

classes at unca are fun and challenging. the professors are all nice and helpful, though. as long as you ask they'll help you. there are also countless tutoring sessions available and starting up a study group is as simple as asking classmates.

the residence halls on campus are nice. each has its own personality, so you're sure to find one that suits you. also, reslife and the ras are always putting on fun events such as hall banquets, murder mystery nights, s'mores nights, and so on. the residence halls definitely feel like home.

the cafeteria is excellent. there are so many options, and desert is always awesome. on the off-chance that nothing in the caf is appealing, you can always go to highsmith, ramsey cafe, or the wellness cafe. we have a bunch of options around here. plus, if you really don't want anything on campus, you could walk fifteen minutes and be on merrimon avenue with plenty of dining options. another nice thing about all of the eateries on campus and around asheville is that they are considerate of people with specific diets, such as vegans, vegetarians, and glucose-free.

it is difficult to be bored on campus. there are a million clubs, including sports clubs. if you don't want to be involved in a club, there are organizations such as sail (student activities and integrative learning) and underdog productions that put on events nearly every night of the week and on weekends. these events include speakers, roller discos, stand up comics, open-mic nights, dances, and so on. having fun is one of the easiest things to do at unca.

unca is a great value. all the meal plans cost the same, which is really convenient. for as nice as the residence halls are, i'm surprised that housing does not cost more. not to mention the quality of classes. the entire learning experience at unca is worth a lot more than the tuition charged for it.

we have the botanical gardens right here on campus. they are a great place to relax and hang out. we also have a statue of rocky the bulldog, our mascot. it is tradiont to rub him for good luck.

diverse, unique, open minded, peace-loving, liberal, environmentalists

there are too many to mention. basically, if you're interested in it, there's a club for it. and if perchance there is not a club already existence for it, it is easy to make one.

greek life at unca is so different from other colleges. it is nothing like what you see in movies. the greeks are very nice people, and greek life at unca is both enjoyable and beneficial.

i feel very safe around campus. the campus police are very quick to respond if you need them and there are plenty of emergency poles around campus.

Out of the professors I've met so far, they seem to be generally interested in the students. They're here for them because if they weren't, they wouldn't bother to work there. The school is focused on undergraduates only- there are maybe 40 people going for a master's degree.

This place seems to fit me perfectly as the hippie, free-loving, all-accepting place it is.

I only have to pay $5,500 in loans each year due to the generous scholarships, grants, and overall financial aid they have awarded me.

Students who are free-spirited and easy-going will have a lot of fun here. I've recently visited Asheville downtown and there was just a random free hula-hoop festival going on with good music in the middle of the city!

This school is so awesome because it a small, art-based school that appreciates quirks and individuality. I love the city of Asheville too; the town is so eclectic and colorful. The student-teacher ratio is great, and I am close with about 75% of my professors.

Be yourself and do not take too many or too little credit hours the first semester. Also, find out how to use the bus and taxi system. It is really helpful knowing how to get downtown or get home.

This school is not very competitive, which was a nice change from high school.

Dorm life is pretty good and everyone gets a suite of 4 people with a suite bathroom.

There are vegan and vegetarian options and it really allows for healthy eating.

Go to concerts! See downtown! There are plenty of local bands, a drum circle, many restaurants, and some neat stores! EXPLORE!

This school is pretty cheap and that is definitely a perk.

Go to the Friday night drum circle downtown!

If you are individual and like expressing the colors of your personality, go to UNCA!

They have so many clubs and activities. Not many sororities or fraternities.

Not many here.

Very safe campus. Ranked the safest in the UNC system.

It has a friendly, clean, and easy environment. I would recommend it to both introverts and extroverts. The small class sizes make learning easy and intimate.

Don't come to Asheville expecting everything to be tough and strict. The atmosphere is softer and less abrasive than that of a typical college. The authority figures here expect you to look after yourself rather than them constantly telling you what you should and shouldn't be doing. If you prefer to move at your own pace with only the guidance of due dates and your GPA, then UNCA is for you. Expect to walk around a lot, as Asheville is a city of health-junkies, and don't come live on campus unless you enjoy a certain amount of nature and cold winters.

Whether a class is difficult or not is really a matter of perspective, but the professors here at Asheville are both people that want to see your very best and people who aren't going to fight you to get it. They'll push you, but they'll also treat you like an adult. If you don't put the effort in, they're not going to put it in either. However, if you are dedicated, the professors in Asheville will do everything they possibly can to help you succeed. Plus, there are plenty of resources available to students to assist them. The harsh academic rigor needed to get that 4.0 GPA has to come from you, but if you are trying hard, you will have the help you need.

I would recommend the dorm life of UNCA. Freshmen are all funneled into Founder's Hall, which is the most social dorm on the campus. The rooms are fairly large and the dorms are co-ed. The RAs are attentive but not overbearing. We have access to cable and internet, as well as our own thermostat. The other residence halls are fancier and quieter, but Founder's Hall is a great place for Freshmen to start out in a college setting.

If you're an extreme health-nut or not a health-nut at all, eating at UNCA can be a little bit difficult. The quality of the food in the cafeteria wanes and waxes without warning, but there's always the other food courts scattered about the campus. UNCA supports the vegetarian and vegan lifestyles, and offers gluten free options as well. They seem to fire the head chef every year, so you can't ever be sure what'll be there one year and gone the next. Overall, you can survive on cereal and salad if nothing else ever appeals to you. And I'd stay away from the peach cobbler, if I were you.

The campus is within walking distance from downtown Asheville. Asheville is filled with interesting and eccentric people. There is plenty to do, even if it's just window shopping. Honestly, if you can't find something fun to do in Asheville, you're just a really boring person.

We all know that colleges are a business at heart and it always seems like they need more and more money. Asheville is really no different, but I feel like I'm compensated a little more than what I've seen from other colleges. Students of UNCA get health insurance, a meal plan, cable and internet, free laundry, a free bus pass, and a lot of other perks. They only catch is that you always have to have your student ID on your person. That is the card that proves your existence.

Every couple of weeks, a group of people gather to play Humans vs Zombies. So you'll see a lot of people running around in body paint, wearing bright orange bandannas and carrying Nerf-Guns. You can sign up to play whenever the opportunity comes around.
A lot of people love to play Frisbee and practice slack-lining on the Quad.
UNCA students also seem to have an aversion to shoes. It's not uncommon to see people coming to class barefoot despite the snow on the ground.

I think that students who have always felt different will prosper here. Asheville is very proud of its population of weird people. It's a VERY liberal city, and you will see a lot of poofy skirts, brightly dyed hair, tattoos, piercings, unshaved armpits, dreadlocks, and hula hoops.
There are a lot of weird but very friendly people in Asheville. It's a great place.

There are so many clubs and events on campus that it's absolutely impossible to keep track of them all. There is never a night without an event sponsored by some club or another, whether it be for entertainment or educational. If you like to be in clubs, good luck picking just one or two.

I'm not sure what this box means.

The campus police are friendly, but very attentive. Lately the school has invested in emergency poles all around the campus, though in the two years I've lived in Asheville only one assault has occurred. All the other dangerous things that have happened have been in result of students breaking rules (such as allowing people who are not enrolled in the school live in their dorm room).

UNCA is an excellent place to find your creative side. The professors have a vested interest in your learning. Student body is friendly!

Be ready to work, but you are certainly getting your money's worth.

Among the best universities in the state. Solid prestige at an affordable price.

Dorms are much better than most schools. New residence hall will be ready for Fall '12 semester.

Not just burgers, fries and pizza. There are plenty of healthy options along with a strong consideration for vegetarians and vegans.

Ultimate frisbee club, campus recreation outdoors trips, walk through the Botanical Gardens. Downtown Asheville is great as well!

Open-minded, creative, ambitious, and fun-loving students.

I really appreciate how passionate each professor is in the classroom. The class sizes are very small for a public university so I get more out of my education. I am getting much more out of my degree because of the class size.

I would take a tour of the campus to see if it's a good fit. While there, be sure to ask students walking around what they think of the school. Also, try and meet with a professor in your major to ask questions about the curriculum and opportunities they have for students.

There is a fair amount of workload. Students really have to apply themselves because all tests are short answers. In the time I've been there, I've never used a scantron.

The dorms are nothing special. Some are newer than others, so it depends on what hall they place you in. The RA staff is very friendly and helpful to new students.

The cafeteria has recently been updated this past semester. However, most students have complained that it's still not very good. You won't get 5-star meals and most of their ingredients are not organic or nutritional.

The best seller is the basketball games. Locals in Asheville and students fill the stands and it's probably my favorite event to go to. UNC Asheville also sponsor events on weekends throughout the year for students to enjoy.

For in-state tuition, it is well worth the cost because of the staff to student ratio. I highly recommend applying and the financial aid office really works with students to get funding.

It is set in the mountains and the town, Asheville, is very unique with a lot of personality. You will never be bored here as there's always unique events going on.

This is great for students who like the outdoors. There's a club on campus that provide students with outdoor adventures many times a week.

There is a wide range of clubs and activities. There's the main clubs and then also the unique student-run clubs.

There is not much of a Greek life here. If you are looking for that, this is not the school for you.

There are police officials on campus at all times. The campus is very very safe, even at night.

UNCA is the only Liberal Arts school in the UNC system. The community at large is exceptionally LGBTIA-friendly and a generally progressive place. The small relatively small student body gives the college a quaint feel, an almost unheard-of perk for state schools these days.

If you're not comfortable with extreme progressiveness, you might want to pass this school by. Also, if you're not white, be aware that the population is rather saturated with whiteness. The saturation is counter-balanced by the progressiveness of general public opinion, but, the lack of racial diversity is certainly striking.

I'm still in intro classes, but the level of rigor does seem to be rather average, at least for the classes I'm taking. My major (Computer Science) is also rather small at the school, and in particular my major is very average in its rigor. However, Humanities majors are more popular and seem to have very rigorous classes at the 300+ level.

I live off-campus, but all of the dorms are suite-style, which says to me that the college cares about the living spaces of the students. A new dorm was just built, but I have heard rumors that the construction was hastily finished. Different dorms are also different prices.

The dining hall has excellent and diverse options every day, including daily vegetarian and vegan options. There are also multiple other satellite restaurants and cafes around campus. There are no fast-food chain options, and every place to get food has high-quality options.

I go on walks almost every day. The Botanical Gardens are a wonderful place nestled right behind the dorms that I spend a lot of time at, usually eating lunch or just walking around with friends. I also go to meetups, usually Computer Science-related, but I'm also a part of a local chess meetup. I read news, and occasionally watch good movies.

UNCA is frequently voted best school for the money for a reason. The (in-state) tuition is EXTREMELY reasonable, and in general attending UNCA does not feel like a state school at all. The student body is at about 3000 people, which I feel is a great number that makes me feel like I'm at a large-ish private school. The dining options are simply phenomenal, and the botanical gardens are wonderful.

The UNCA Botanical Gardens on campus provide a lovely place to eat lunch or self-reflect. While it is difficult to find spots that are completely isolated from modernity, finding serenity there is definitely not difficult.

LGBTIA-identifying people, liberal white people, humanities-minded people

For having a smaller student body, there are a surprising number of extracurricular activities going on. As one walks around the campus, you may see 4-5 messages written in chalk on the sidewalk promoting an upcoming event. There are also frequently talks and events unrelated to clubs, such as the upcoming event where Tibetan monks will build a mandala over the course of several days.

Not my thing, but it does exist. There are not actual houses though.

There is a police force on campus, so no rent-a-cops. The campus feels very safe.