If you’re looking to come to The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Stephen Farmer is a good man to know. As the Vice Provost for Enrollment and Undergraduate Admissions, he understands what the university is looking for when it comes to building a class that will leave behind a lasting legacy.
When we sat down for lunch with Farmer, all of the Chuck Stone students were a little anxious about meeting the man on top of UNC admissions, but were immediately put to ease by his genuinely caring nature. After sharing his own Chuck Stone story, he sincerely wished for us that this program has been a life changing experience. He went on to say, “Professor Emeritus Chuck Stone is the absolute best representation of UNC Chapel Hill that anyone could ever know.”
It is no secret that the Carolina story is one filled with soaring SAT scores and impeccable grade-point averages. It owns the title of number one among some of the best public universities according to The Princeton Review. However, Farmer and the people in the Office of Admissions strive to look beyond the numbers.
“We can’t use a formula to make our decisions, because people are people, not numbers,” Farmer said. “Everyone has a unique combination of strengths and weaknesses. You can help yourself by letting us see that. Especially in your college essay, be authentically who you are.”
When asked about his time here at Carolina he responded with a smile saying: “You know I really love this place. I am lucky to have had opportunities at other fine schools, but I don’t want to be anywhere else but Carolina.”
“We have a lot of smart people here, but it’s more than that,” Farmer said. “The people here are welcoming, friendly, and there is a level of trust that you don’t find just anywhere.”
It is safe to say that by the end of our time with Steve Farmer, every student was sold on Carolina and becoming part of the family that it is. He connected with us on a personal level.
“At Carolina we do things really well, but we do them with heart,” Farmer warmly said. “Because that is the Carolina way.”
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Charlotte Matthews is a rising senior at The Lovett School in Atlanta, Georgia. She is interested in broadcast journalism.