FAQs about living in the Chapel Hill area

Jobs How do I find a job on campus? How do you find a research assistant job at UNC? If I don't get tuition remission in the Fall, can I still get it in the Spring? Transportation Do I need a car in Chapel Hill? What is the best way to commute from outside of Chapel Hill? Extra-curricular activities What kind of extra-curricular activity and leadership opportunities are there at School of Public Health and UNC? Are there any religious activities on campus? How do I go about getting tickets for UNC basketball games? Area attractions      Are there places outside of Chapel Hill where students live? Where can I find affordable restaurants and entertainment? What restaurants in the area have good vegetarian/vegan offerings? Where are good places to go running or walking in the area? I have kids. Who can I talk to about some of my concerns? Residency What do I need to do to gain NC residency for tuition purposes by my second year of graduate school? Jobs Question:  How do I find a job on campus? Answer:  Check the SPH student job website, where many students find jobs with tuition remission built in. Professors won't always respond when you send them e-mails, so you might try phoning them, as needed. Also, many people have found jobs within a month of having moved here, so don’t worry too much if you haven’t found something yet. Please see Financial Matters for more details. (back to top)   Question:  How do you find a research assistant job at UNC? Answer:  The best ways to find a research assistant job are to: Search the Department and School of Public Health websites for faculty members conducting research that interests you Meet and talk with as many faculty members in your areas of interest as possible after you move to Chapel Hill (try emailing them before you arrive in town). Review job postings listed on the departmental website Be prepared to email your resumé or CV to faculty you hope to meet with Plan to interview for jobs in August The sooner you can move to Chapel Hill, the better for finding a position that suits your public health interests See Financial Matters for more details. (back to top)   Question:  If I don’t get a tuition remission in the Fall, can I still get it in the Spring? Answer:  Yes, but that the deadline is in early February, so keep checking in with the registrar (Linda Cook, 919-966-5771). (back to top) Transportation Question:  Do I need a car in Chapel Hill? Answer:  Some things to consider before deciding whether you need a car: Parking at UNC is very limited, so most people walk, bike or take the bus to campus, even if they do have a car. Chapel Hill has an extensive, efficient and free bus system that runs through campus and town throughout the day. The bus system is designed for commuters. Service is limited in the evenings and is less convenient for shopping and errands than for getting to and from campus. Find out if and what bus routes serve your home or apartment, and how often they run. See Transportation and Parking for more details. (back to top) Question:  What is the best way to commute from outside of Chapel Hill? Answer:  Getting to campus from outside areas (e.g., Durham, Raleigh) is fairly easy. Get a CAP (commuter Alternatives Program) permit and do one of two things: Drive to the most convenient “Park and Ride” lot on the outskirts of town to park your car. The Friday Center Lot (off the Highway 54 exit on I-40) is most popular, but fills up by 9:00 am.  From there, take a free Chapel Hill Transit bus into campus. OR Take a reduced fair Triangle Transit Authority (TTA) bus directly into Chapel Hill. TTA buses serve Raleigh and Durham but operate less frequently than local buses. (back to top) Extra-curricular activities Question:  What kind of extra-curricular activity and leadership opportunities are there at the School of Public Health and UNC? Answer:  Many students in the Department participate in extra-curricular service. The Carolina Center for Public Service is a great source for finding out about these opportunities in the Chapel Hill community. A number of our students also participate in the campus service opportunities such as the Student Health Action Coalition (SHAC), the SPH Minority Health Caucus, the Student Global Health Committee, the UNC School of Public Health Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Caucus, and the Department’s Orientation Committee. (back to top) Question:  Are there any religious activities on campus? Answer:  If you want to meet other graduate and undergraduate students on campus, one good way is to join your faith's religious organization. These organizations frequently offer fun, free events and activities. (back to top)   Question:  How do I go about getting tickets for UNC basketball games? Answer:  The Carolina Athletic Association, a student organization, coordinates student ticket distribution. Also, 500 students per year can join the Ceiling Fan program, which guarantees season tickets . . . in the top row of the top level. To join the Ceiling Fan program, sign up at the ticket office. (Ceiling Fan participants must forgo the regular ticket distribution process.) Also, don't forget about women's basketball – we have one of the best teams in the country! (back to top)   Area attractions Question:  Are there places outside of Chapel Hill where students live? Answer:  Yes. Carrboro has lots of UNC graduate students along with older people. Durham is also an easy commute. Both towns have more affordable rental options than Chapel Hill. A free bus line (the Robertson Scholars bus) runs between Duke and UNC.   (See Housing for more details.) (back to top) Question:  Where can I find affordable restaurants and entertainment? Answer:  The best restaurants, bars and entertainment venues for the lowest prices are: Restaurants: Carrburritos, Mediterranean Deli, and Pepper's Pizza are inexpensive and very tasty. Tapas at Bakus on 9th St. in Durham is also good. Bars: For bars with graduate students, stay on the West end of Franklin or in Carrboro - Wine Bar, Fuse, Reservoir, Orange County Social Club, or Speakeasy. Entertainment: Memorial Hall on campus (student tickets are $10), movie theaters (most have student ticket night and matinee prices during the day), Playmakers Theater. The Independent Weekly (a free weekly paper) is your best source for finding out about entertainment options throughout the Triangle. (back to top)   Question:  What restaurants in the area have good vegetarian/vegan offerings? Answer:  There are many, as this is a relatively friendly town for vegetarians. Some that clearly put effort into their meat-free dishes include: Carrboro: Panzanella, Crazie Mae's, Sage (all vegetarian), Weaver Street Market, and Spotted Dog Chapel Hill: 411 West, Margaret's Cantina, Franklin Street Pizza and Pasta, and Flying Burrito Durham: Anotherthyme, Blue Corn Cafe A number of vegetarian Indian restaurants in Cary (e.g. Udipi) and Morrisville (Tower) For more information on vegetarian life in the Triangle region, check out the Triangle Vegetarian Society ($10 annual membership fee), or the Durham-Chapel Hill Vegetarian Meetup Group, organized by second-year MPH student Katya Roytburd (back to top) Question:  Where are good places to go running or walking in the area? Answer:  There are great trails leading ups to Wilson Park (Carrboro), in Duke Forest (Durham), and off of Estes Road (Chapel Hill). For more ideas, ask Ryan Morgan. (back to top) Question:  I have kids.  Who can I talk to about some of my concerns? Answer:  Contact Michelle Cathorall; she is a second-year MPH with two kids. (back to top)    Residency Question:  What do I need to gain NC residency by my second year of graduate school? Answer:  As soon as possible, get a NC driver's license and a library card, and register to vote here. The review board wants these things to be in place for one year before granting residency. During the school year, attend lectures and seminars about tuition and applying for residency. See Financial Matters for more details (back to top)

Last updated June 11, 2008