UNC is a public research university in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. It is the flagship of the University of North Carolina system. After being chartered in 1789, the university first began enrolling students in 1795, making it one of the oldest public universities in the United States.
What is UNC-Chapel Hill?
The University of North Carolina was chartered by the North Carolina General Assembly on December 11, 1789. The university’s cornerstone was laid on October 12, 1793 at Chapel Hill, chosen because of its central location within the state. The campus covers 760 acres, encompassing the Morehead Planetarium and the many stores and shops located on Franklin Street.
Testing Scores for Admission
According to the college, the average SAT score ranges from 1360 to 1500, while the average ACT score is between 27 and 33. The average unweighted GPA of acceptance is around 4.39 and 74% of students placed in the top decile of their graduating class. As such, GPA is just as important as the main two standardized tests.
Acceptance & Graduation Rate
To get into UNC, a student’s standardized test scores and high school GPA have to be great. This is reflected in the acceptance rate of only 16%. However, this school has a high graduation rate of 91%.
How Are Applicants Rated?
UNC-Chapel Hill considers eight factors as “very important” to the admissions process: rigor of high school course load, essays, test scores, recommendation letters, extracurricular activities, talent/ability, character/personal qualities, and state residency (being from NC is a major advantage). Items that are “important” as part of the admissions process are: GPA, class rank, volunteer work, and paid work experience. “Considered” factors are: first-generation status, legacy status, and racial/ethnic status.
Tips to Get Into UNC-Chapel Hill
- Most “Public Ivies” accept the Common App so students should use that to their advantage by filling out the activities section.
- UNC-Chapel Hill does not consider “demonstrated interest,” which means you will not be judged on whether or not you made a campus visit, contacted an admissions officer, etc.
- The university does not use interviews as part of its evaluation process.
- It is much harder to get into UNC as an out-of-state resident. The acceptance rate is 8% for out-of-state residents compared to 43% for North Carolina residents. Out-of-state residents should have a stellar application.
How Does UNC-Chapel Hill Compare to Other Top Universities?
UNC-Chapel Hill’s yield rate, the percentage of accepted students who elect to enroll divided by the total number of students who are admitted, is 45%. This figure is comparable to other powerhouse state universities like the University of Michigan, UVA, and UCLA.
Are you or will you be attending UNC?
Stock up on gear to show your pride for the Tar Heels. Grab this sweatshirt, this travel mug, or this University pennant.
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