Undergraduate Admissions

This catalog reflects admissions policies and requirements for fall 2024. Refer to the Undergraduate Admissions website for 2025 updates.

In evaluating candidates for admission, the University seeks an entering class whose collective strengths will foster excellence within the University community; enhance the education of everyone within it; provide for the leadership of the educational, governmental, scientific, business, humanistic, artistic, and professional institution of the state, nation, and world; and enrich the lives of all the people of North Carolina.

The University evaluates individual candidates comprehensively, individually, and compassionately. The members of the admissions committee seek to assess the ways in which each candidate will likely contribute to the campus community and enable the University to fulfill its mission. The qualities we seek include intellect, integrity, kindness, courage, creativity, curiosity, leadership, and initiative. Although we expect each successful candidate to demonstrate strength in many of these areas, we do not expect every candidate to be equally strong in all of them. Just as there is no formula for admission, there is no list of qualities or characteristics that every applicant must present.

In evaluating each candidate’s academic record, the admissions committee considers not only the student’s grades but also the courses attempted within the context of the school's and local community's course offerings. Although each candidate’s academic record and standardized test scores, if submitted, are important elements in the admissions decision, the candidate’s essays, letter(s) of recommendation, accomplishments outside the classroom, and personal qualities are also carefully considered. We understand that students travel many different roads to get to Carolina, and we celebrate the variety of interests, backgrounds, and aspirations that they bring with them. At the same time, it's fair to say that we seek excellence. We consider everything that a student submits as part of their application to try and understand not only their achievements and potential, but the context in which those achievements occurred and potential forged.

By their anticipated date of enrollment, candidates for admission must have graduated from secondary school or have their GED or high school equivalent diploma.

Items Necessary for a Complete Application

First-Year Admission

In addition to the completed application, which includes the nonrefundable application fee (or approved fee-waiver), accomplishments and activities outside of the classroom, and required essays, students are expected to submit the following materials:

As part of the first-year application, students have the option of expre ss ing interest in being considered for Carolina Global Launch (CGL) in the case that we will not be able to offer admission for the fall semester. Expressing interest in CGL does not impact that student’s consideration for fall admission. CGL provides the opportunity to study abroad during the fall semester and then have guaranteed enrollment as a transfer student to Carolina for the spring semester upon successful completion of CGL .

The Office of Undergraduate Admissions, at its discretion, may deny admission or withdraw applications from consideration for students who submit completed applications but who do not provide one or more of the materials listed above.

In addition to these materials, applicants may submit information that will enhance the University’s understanding of their background and preparation for college.

Transfer Admission

Students are considered transfer applicants if they have attended one or more post-secondary institutions after graduating from secondary school or who are active-duty service members or military veterans. Students may apply for transfer admission by following the instructions available at the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

In addition to the completed application, which includes the nonrefundable application fee (or fee-waiver request), accomplishments and activities outside of the classroom, and required essays, students are expected to submit the following materials:

The Office of Undergraduate Admissions, at its discretion, may deny admission or withdraw applications from consideration for students who submit completed applications but who do not provide one or more of the materials listed above.

In addition to these materials, applicants may submit information that will enhance the University’s understanding of their background and preparation for college.

Standardized Testing

In accordance with University policy, as well as procedures approved by the Advisory Committee on Undergraduate Admissions, members of the admissions committee evaluate each candidate comprehensively, individually, and compassionately, with an eye towards assessing the candidate’s capacity to contribute to the campus community that will enable the University to fulfill its mission. If the evaluation includes the results of standardized testing, these results do not constitute the sole or main criterion for admission. There are no cutoff or threshold scores — outside of the minimum admission requirements (MAR) set by the UNC system — that is, no scores below which candidates are automatically denied admission, and no scores above which they are automatically offered admission. Instead, results from standardized testing represent one factor among many. For more about the role of tests in admissions, see the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

High School Course Requirements

Students interested in attending the University should pursue a challenging high school curriculum. To be eligible to apply and be considered for admission, a student must complete the UNC System's Minimum Admissions Requirements (MAR) and Minimum Course Requirements (MCR).

Minimum Course Requirements