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Undergraduate Admissions

Admission requirements, items necessary for a complete application, transfer of credit, programs with limited admissions, health program majors, appeals of admissions decisions, confirmation of acceptance, admission of international students, return to carolina, nontraditional readmission, admission as a part-time, degree-seeking student , admission as a part-time, non-degree student , admissions confidentiality, intra-university transfer, admission as a summer school visitor, new student orientation and course registration.

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.

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:

• Official transcript(s) from all secondary schools attended, including summer sessions and including any online or distance-education classes. Transcripts must be sent directly from the educational institution to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, preferably via an approved electronic service.
• Applicants must self-report college-level coursework and grades not reported on an official high school transcript. Official college transcripts are required from all enrolling students. Transcripts must be sent directly from the educational institution to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, preferably via an approved electronic service.
• School report and one teacher recommendation (If the candidate is in his or her first year at a new school, a recommendation from the previous school is also acceptable.)
• University of North Carolina system institutions, which include the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, have a standardized testing waiver in place through fall 2024. First-year applicants have the option to self-report SAT and/or ACT scores with their application. If a student chooses to self-report their test scores, the student is admitted and chooses to enroll, then the student is required to have the testing service send their official scores to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions by the stated deadline.
• Applicants who plan to claim North Carolina residency are also required to submit a residency application with the North Carolina Residency Determination Service (RDS), and to provide a Residency Classification Number (RCN) .
• Enrolling first-year students may also need to submit and complete a background check as required by UNC System policy.
• Any additional items or information requested in the application or by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

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:

• Official transcript(s) from all colleges attended, including summer sessions and including any online or distance-education classes, regardless of whether college credit was earned or will transfer. Transcripts must be sent directly from the educational institution to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, preferably via an approved electronic service.
• Official secondary school transcript(s) or GED or a high school equivalency diploma. Transcripts must be sent directly from the educational institution to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, preferably via an approved electronic service.
• The fall and, if applicable, winter grades should be submitted to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions as soon as they become available. An application will be considered incomplete without them.
• Any items or information requested by programs requiring additional material for admission.
• Recommendation letter (academic, personal, or professional)
• University of North Carolina system institutions, which include the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, have a standardized testing waiver in place through fall 2024. Transfer applicants have the option to self-report SAT and/or ACT scores with their application. If a student chooses to self-report their test scores, the student is admitted and chooses to enroll, then the student is required to have the testing service send their official scores to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions by the stated deadline.
• Applicants who plan to claim North Carolina residency are also required to submit a residency application with the North Carolina Residency Determination Service (RDS) , and to provide a Residency Classification Number (RCN) .
• Enrolling transfer students may also need to submit and complete a background check as required by UNC System policy.
• Any additional items or information requested in the application or by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions

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

• 4 units of English emphasizing grammar, composition, and literature
• 1 higher level mathematics course for which algebra II is a prerequisite
• AP Calculus
• AP Statistics
• Pre-Calculus
• Discrete Mathematics
• IB Mathematics Level II
• Integrated Mathematics IV
• Advanced Functions and Modeling
• Essentials for College Math
• one in a life or biological science (example: biology)
• one in a physical science (example: physical science, chemistry, physics)
• one laboratory course
• one in United States history
• The UNC System encourages students to select these courses in alignment with their academic and career objectives, and recommends completion of two sequential world language courses.

Admission to Carolina is competitive, and successful applicants typically go far beyond these minimum requirements. In particular, most competitive applicants continue taking courses in English, mathematics, sciences, and social sciences through their senior year and complete at least two sequential world language courses.

Such a curriculum will typically include at least five academic courses during each year of high school — preferably one each in the core disciplines of English, mathematics, social science, natural science, and world languages. Students who challenge themselves with the rigorous courses available to them, such as Advanced Placement (AP), Dual Enrollment (DE), International Baccalaureate (IB), Cambridge, and other advanced or college-level work, tend to be more prepared to succeed in college — and we encourage our candidates to take at least five of the most rigorous courses available to them. We do not have a preference on what type of college-level curriculum students take; we encourage you to take the courses that best align with your academic journey.  

In evaluating academic performance in such a curriculum, we pay less attention to class rank and grade point average than we do to grades and to trends and patterns in grades.  

International Students: We understand that curricula differ from country to country, and our staff is sensitive to the intricacies of each curriculum. To be considered for admission, an applicant needs to be on track to complete the pre-university curriculum in their country prior to enrolling at Carolina (e.g. A Levels, Baccalaureate). Because we receive applications from students applying from high schools across the world, we see a variety of curricula and grading scales. We do not convert grades into a standard scale. Instead, we review each application individually and consider how each student has challenged themselves within the context of their school and how they have performed in those courses.  

Course Placement

Since admitted students will take placement exams in world languages , candidates should consider continuing in advanced foreign language courses during their final year in high school even if they have already met the minimum requirements.

Placement in certain courses during students’ first semester at the University will be based on their performance on placement tests. Students may also receive credit for University courses based on dual-enrollment courses taken during high school. Although the student will take placement exams in some subjects at the University before the first semester begins, it is to the student’s advantage to take placement tests in high school, especially those accepted by the University for placement purposes. For mathematics placement, the Department of Mathematics strongly recommends that enrolling students arrange to take the Aleks placement exam through the Mathematics Department. The department will also accept various college level examinations as listed on the website or an equivalent transferable course from another college or university. Although these tests are not required for admission, many majors at Carolina require a quantitative reasoning course for which a mathematics placement score is necessary. World languages placement may be based on University placement, AP, or IB exams. For English placement, students are required to take either English 105 at the University, or present an equivalent transferable course from another college or university. Students are also encouraged to take standardized tests that are recognized for placement in other subject areas.

Dual Enrollment at UNC–Chapel Hill for High School Students

All courses attempted at UNC–Chapel Hill, including but not limited to summer session courses and dual-enrollment courses attempted while a student is still in secondary school, will be included in the student's UNC–Chapel Hill grade point average.

N.C. Cooperative Innovative High School (Early and Middle College) Students

Students who graduate from a Cooperative Innovative High School (also known as “Early College” or "Middle College") in North Carolina and who are simultaneously earning a high school diploma and a qualifying associate degree may apply either as first-year or as transfer candidates. For more information, please see the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Home-Schooled Students

The University welcomes applications from students schooled at home and imposes on those students no special or additional requirements for admission. At the same time, since the credentials of home-schooled students may lack some or most of the contextualizing information typically found in the credentials of students schooled in more traditional settings, many home-schooled students take steps to contextualize and clarify their achievement and potential.

In recent years these steps have included taking courses at local colleges or community colleges; joining community organizations; providing samples of academic projects (for example, essays or research papers) and detailed descriptions of courses; sending recommendations from non-family members who know candidates well and can comment specifically on their capacity for advanced academic work; and taking and submitting optional supplemental exams recognized by the University.

College Board Placement Tests

The University recognizes, for placement and degree credit, satisfactory scores on the College Board Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and certain global exams, such as Cambridge A Levels, offered across the world. For more information, please visit the Office of Undergraduate Admissions .

Transfer Candidates

Applicants’ eligibility to return to previous institutions may be considered in their evaluation. Students who have less than a C average (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) may complete courses at another university to raise their grade point average to the point where they may be considered for transfer admission to the University. Courses attempted through any academic program at UNC–Chapel Hill cannot be used to increase a student’s grade point average for the purpose of establishing transfer eligibility.

Once an applicant is admitted as a transfer student, all course credits taken at UNC–Chapel Hill, including summer courses taken prior to fall enrollment, become part of the student’s official transcript, and grades received are included in the grade point average.

Transferred Semesters

The University calculates transferred semesters based on the number of transfer credit hours accepted by UNC–Chapel Hill, not based on the number of semesters in which the student was enrolled at other colleges. For each 15 hours transferred upon enrollment, the student is considered to have completed the equivalent of one UNC–Chapel Hill semester. Excluded from this calculation are transfer hours awarded for courses taken concurrent with high school, summer enrollment at UNC–Chapel Hill immediately before the first semester of full-time degree-seeking enrollment, and any credit awarded by exams, such as Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exams. 

Although all students at UNC–Chapel Hill are expected to graduate within eight total semesters of post-secondary enrollment, transfer students who enter with two transfer semesters (30 or more transferable hours) may enroll in up to 10 total semesters. For additional information, see “Calculation of Transferred Semesters Based on the Number of Transferred Credit Hours” in the Credit and Evaluation section and Undergraduate Degree Requirements .

Specifically:

• A new transfer student with fewer than 15.0 transferable credit hours will be regarded as having completed no semesters and will have first-year standing upon enrollment at UNC–Chapel Hill.
• A new transfer student having between 15.0 and 29.9 transferable credit hours will be regarded as having completed one semester and will have first-year standing upon enrollment at UNC–Chapel Hill.
• A new transfer student having between 30.0 and 44.9 transferable credit hours will be regarded as having completed two semesters and will have sophomore standing upon enrollment at UNC–Chapel Hill.
• A new transfer student having between 45.0 and 59.9 transferable credit hours will be regarded as having completed three semesters and will have sophomore standing upon enrollment at UNC–Chapel Hill.
• A new transfer student having between 60.0 and 75.0 transferable credit hours will be regarded as having completed four semesters and will have junior standing upon enrollment at UNC–Chapel Hill.

Offers of admission typically are extended before an applicant’s transfer credit can be fully evaluated. As a result, while transfer students are advised of their likely classification at the point of admission, this classification is provisional until confirmed by notification of transfer credits earned.

The University will award credit for a course from another college or university when the student has earned a grade of C or its equivalent and when a similar course is offered by the University. Courses whose grades are reported on a scale other than A–F, such as pass/fail, will earn credit only if the transferring institution verifies that the passing grade represents achievement at the level of C or higher. Courses with final grades of C- or below (or the equivalent, if reported on a scale other than A–F) will not earn credit and will not satisfy University requirements. Courses completed in units other than semester hours will be converted to semester hours.

Students may receive no more than 75 total semester hours of credit for courses transferred from other colleges or universities. Credits earned by exam through Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and similar programs are not included in this limit. However, test credit only can be used to fulfill a maximum of 5 Focus Capacities in the Ideas in Action curriculum. Remaining hours can fulfill other requirements such as course prerequisites.

When a student has completed more than 75 transferable semester hours, credit will be awarded in this order:

• For courses that equate directly with specific courses in the UNC–Chapel Hill curriculum;
• For courses that do not equate directly with specific courses but are comparable to elective courses offered by UNC–Chapel Hill departments.

Courses that equate directly with specific courses in the UNC–Chapel Hill curriculum will fulfill the same course requirements as their equivalents at UNC–Chapel Hill, unless specifically identified otherwise at the time of the initial awarding of credit. Other transferable courses may not fulfill course requirements but may count towards the total semester hours required for graduation.  

The Office of Undergraduate Admissions reviews and awards transfer credit to enrolling students based on their official transcripts. The admissions office typically cannot award credit for professional courses or courses taken from non-accredited colleges and universities. The admissions office may be able to award credit to enrolling students for courses from colleges and universities outside the United States, provided the college or university is recognized by the appropriate higher-education authority or government agency, and provided students submit their official transcripts and evaluations of those transcripts from World Education Services (WES®).      The Office of Undergraduate Admissions cannot award credit to currently enrolled UNC–Chapel Hill students for courses taken while participating in an exchange or study-abroad program. Credit for such courses must be approved before the program begins by the UNC Study Abroad Office or the UNC school sponsoring the program, and credit will be awarded after the program ends and official transcripts have been received. The admissions office may be able to award transfer credit to students for study-abroad courses they completed before enrolling at UNC–Chapel Hill, provided they completed the courses while attending colleges and universities in the United States, and provided the courses are reported on the official transcripts of their U.S. institutions.

An enrolling or enrolled student may request a review of transfer credit awarded or denied by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions by submitting course descriptions and syllabi through the ConnectCarolina Student Center no later than the last day of classes during the student’s second semester in residence at the University. In those rare instances when a later change in transfer credit will enable a student to graduate on time, the student must appeal to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. In the absence of such a request by a student, the University will not review or change transfer credit that has been awarded by the admissions office after the first day of the student’s first semester in residence, except to correct clerical or other errors that may negatively affect the student.

Reverse Transfer (UNC–Chapel Hill and the N.C. Community College System)

The University honors the official Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA) with the North Carolina Community College System. Students who transfer to UNC–Chapel Hill from a North Carolina community college may transfer credit earned at UNC to fulfill their degree requirements at the community college. They may subsequently use the associate degree to fulfill all of the University’s lower-division general education requirements, Ideas in Action , with the exception of Global Language, Research and Discovery, Lifetime Fitness, Communication Beyond Carolina, Campus Life Experience, provided they complete the steps below:

• Consult with an academic advisor at their North Carolina community college to identify UNC–Chapel Hill courses that will satisfy the remaining requirements for the associate degree in accordance with the reverse transfer program;
• Meet with their UNC–Chapel Hill academic advisor during their first full-time semester at UNC–Chapel Hill to discuss their intent to fulfill the University’s general education requirements through reverse transfer;
• Provide proof from the community college of the associate degree before the beginning of the third semester of full-time enrollment at UNC–Chapel Hill, whether fall or spring.

  For more information on Reverse Transfer please visit the UNC System Office website .

The University will consult two publications when settling questions concerning the transfer of credit: Transfer Credit Practices, published by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, and Accredited Institutions of Post-Secondary Education, published by the American Council on Education.

Military-Affiliated Students

We welcome applications from veterans of the United States military, active-duty servicemen and women, and their dependents. Veterans and those who remain on active duty may earn University credit for their military education and training, depending upon their experience. Military veterans or those on active duty will be eligible to have the application fee waived and may qualify for the military tuition benefit, which allows them to attend the University at the in-state tuition rate. Students who are eligible for GI Bill or other veteran education benefits must apply directly to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for these funds.

For more information, please visit the Office of Undergraduate Admissions .

Application and Notification Deadlines

First-year applicants may apply for admission by choosing one of two deadlines, neither of which is binding. The Office of Undergraduate Admissions does its best to evaluate applications similarly across the two deadlines but cannot guarantee complete consistency between the two, since earlier decisions are made before the size and strength of the entire applicant pool is known.

Decisions will be posted securely online for all applicants. For the latest first-year admission deadlines and notification dates, please visit the Office of Undergraduate Admissions .

The application deadline and notification dates for sophomore and junior admission to the College of Arts and Sciences are available at the Office of Undergraduate Admissions . The admission deadlines and notification dates for transfer applicants to the professional schools with programs in business administration, clinical laboratory science, dental hygiene, human development and family sciences, information and library science, journalism and media, nursing, public health: biostatistics, public health: environmental health science, public health: health policy and management, public health: nutrition, neurodiagnostics and sleep science, and radiologic science vary by department. Please contact the specific department for additional information.

Only a small number of transfer students will be admitted to programs with limited admissions such as biomedical engineering and business administration. Students interested in one of these fields may wish to consider another major as a second choice; however, even if admitted to an alternate program, students cannot be guaranteed subsequent admission to their first choice of major. In addition, notification of acceptance to these programs could be later than for other programs.

Early applications for these programs are encouraged. After completion of the fall semester, a transcript of that semester’s work should be submitted. Applicants should also contact the specific department for additional application materials and specific program requirements.

Junior transfer applicants for the pharmacy program must apply directly to the School of Pharmacy. Junior transfer applicants also must provide Pharmacy College Admission Test scores as part of the application. Sophomore students must apply directly to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

For information on appealing an admissions decision, refer to the Admissions Appeal Procedure in the Admissions Policy section of this catalog.

The University requires a nonrefundable enrollment deposit, due by May 1 for first-year admission and Carolina Global Launch admission or May 15 for transfer admission, or within two weeks of receipt of the admission decision for students admitted after these dates.

Degree-seeking students who wish to start their studies during the summer must pay their fall term enrollment deposit and then complete the process for requesting a summer start through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Information on enrolling in summer school prior to starting at Carolina in the fall can be found on the Office of Undergraduate Admissions website. Students enrolling in Carolina Global Launch are not eligible to take summer classes prior to participating in Carolina Global Launch.

International students are considered for admission on the same basis as other candidates and must provide the same information required of all other applicants. All non-U.S. citizens and non-permanent resident students for whom English is not their first language must submit test scores to demonstrate their English proficiency. We accept TOEFL (our code is C182), IELTS, Duolingo, Cambridge English C1 Advanced, and Cambridge C2 Proficiency. Strong applicants typically score the following, though please note that these are not minimums and testing is always one factor among many, and never the sole or dominant reason we make our decisions:

• TOEFL or TOEFL iBT Home Edition –  100 or higher
• IELTS Academic – 7.5 or higher
• Duolingo – 130 or higher
• Cambridge English C1 Advanced – 185 or higher
• Cambridge English C2 Proficiency

We do not waive this proficiency requirement based on grades in English courses or SAT/ACT scores. However, we may waive this requirement if you meet one of the following conditions by the time you would enroll at Carolina:

• You will have lived for at least four years in a country where English is the primary language.
• You will have attended a school for at least four years where English is the primary language of instruction.

To request this waiver, please complete the request form, which you can access at mycarolina.unc.edu/register/englishexamwaiver . Waivers are granted on a case-by-case basis.  

As a condition of enrollment, all entering students who have completed coursework from a foreign college or university that is not accredited within the United States must have their official transcripts evaluated by World Education Services (WES®).

United States immigration law requires proof of financial support for the student’s entire program of study. Before UNC can issue an I-20, admitted students must provide documentation that they have sufficient funds in a bank to cover the first year of tuition and living expenses. See Tuition and Financial Aid in this catalog for information on expenses. The University will issue the necessary visa documentation to those students who are formally admitted to the University. International students should not leave their native country intending to enroll at the University until they have received a formal letter of acceptance and appropriate visa documents.

Questions concerning international student life on the UNC–Chapel Hill campus should be referred to International Student and Scholars Service .

After their first enrollment as degree-seeking students at UNC–Chapel Hill, students who withdraw, fail to complete, or do not enroll in one or more fall or spring semesters must submit the Return to Carolina survey to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions when they are ready to return to the University. The Return to Carolina survey should be submitted as soon as possible and no later than the stated deadline on the Office of Undergraduate Admissions website. Students who plan to claim North Carolina residency are also required to submit a residency application with the North Carolina Residency Determination Service (RDS) .  

Returning students who have holds on their records — such as academic eligibility, medical, student conduct, or financial — may need to complete additional steps before they can be reenrolled and register for courses. For additional information, refer to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Returning students may also need to submit and complete a background check as required by UNC System policy.

International students who will require either an F1 or J1 visa should submit the Return to Carolina survey at least one month before the deadline for the term in which the student wishes to return in order to allow adequate time to process the student’s visa.

The University’s policy requires returning students to be academically eligible. However, the University recognizes that individuals can gain personal and intellectual maturity over time. In such cases, the University may evaluate students based on their current academic promise rather than their earlier academic performance. Under this policy, the University will review students who have not been enrolled full time in a formal educational program for at least five years and who, by their life experiences, might be considered nontraditional students. Re-enrollment in the College of Arts and Sciences under this policy requires the approval of the associate dean for advising or the appeals committee of the college. Re-enrollment in a professional school under this policy requires the approval of the professional school to which the student is seeking readmission.

Advising and degree-granting bodies within the University will monitor the performances of all individuals re-enrolled under this policy. The monitors will provide up-to-date guidance and counseling and ensure that each student fulfills the requirements for continued enrollment as specified in the letter from the student’s dean’s office. Students who fail to meet these requirements and who lose their academic eligibility must then restore their eligibility before they will be permitted to continue their enrollment at the University. A nontraditional return to the University is granted only once.

UNC–Chapel Hill admits a limited number of part-time, degree-seeking undergraduates. Part-time students may register for a maximum of eight credit hours per semester.

To be eligible, students must have been away from a traditional school setting for at least 12 months and must have graduated from a secondary school. Admission is also available to UNC–Chapel Hill faculty and staff employees. Traditional students who have been denied full-time admission to the University are not immediately eligible for enrollment through Part-Time Classroom Studies.  

Students who want to enroll as a part-time degree-seeking undergraduate are required to submit a Part-Time Classroom Studies application through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

All students admitted as prospective degree candidates must meet minimum University requirements for admission. In considering prospective part-time degree-seeking candidates for admission, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions shall use comparable admissions criteria that it uses to evaluate comparable full-time, degree-seeking students applying to the University. For information about those criteria, please see the sections on first-year and transfer admission above.

Admission to Part-Time Classroom Studies as a degree-seeking student does not constitute admission to a full-time degree program at the University. Part-time degree-seeking students who want to enroll in a full-time degree-seeking program must present evidence that they are prepared to make satisfactory progress towards the degree.

Enrolling part-time, degree-seeking students may also need to submit and complete a background check as required by UNC System policy.

Part-time students may register for a maximum of eight credit hours per semester. Courses are open to non-degree students as space permits. Students are required to submit a Part-Time Classroom Studies application and a nonrefundable application fee through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

UNC Digital and Lifelong Learning provides advising and student services to non-degree students, including local high school students.

Admission as a non-degree student is limited and does not constitute admission to a degree program at the University. Part-time non-degree students wishing to pursue a degree must submit a degree-seeking application to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Enrolling part-time, non-degree students may also have to submit and complete a background check as required by UNC System policy.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill will protect the privacy of all students seeking admission through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions by soliciting and receiving all academic and nonacademic records obtained for the purpose of admission and selection for scholarships and special opportunities, on the condition that they be held in confidence by the University. No information obtained through the admissions process will be shared with individuals, internal or external to the University, other than the chancellor, the provost, vice provost of enrollment, and members of the Advisory Committee on Undergraduate Admissions and its subcommittees.

Though current federal legislation allows students enrolling at the University access to their files, candidates do not have access to their applications.

Exceptions to this confidentiality policy will be made only at the direction of the chancellor, the provost, or the vice provost of enrollment.

Students who wish to transfer from one school or college to another within the University may be required to submit an intra-university transfer application. For additional information, refer to the individual program.

Any student who has not been regularly enrolled or has not been admitted for a fall semester in any school in the University can obtain an application for admission as a visiting summer student through the Summer School. Applicants (undergraduates and high school students) who plan to claim North Carolina residency are also required to submit a residency application with the North Carolina Residency Determination Service (RDS).  

Continuing students who are enrolled at the University will register for a summer session through ConnectCarolina in spring.

First-Year Student and Family Orientation

All newly admitted undergraduate first-year students are required to attend one of the summer First-Year Orientation sessions prior to the start of their first term. Sessions are designed to introduce first-year students to the University.  

During this two-day program, new first-year students will be acquainted with the academic opportunities and skills needed to take personal responsibility for their academic achievement and persistence, introduced to the programs and services available for UNC students, made aware of University traditions, and connected to their peers and other ways to broaden their Carolina community. First-year students also receive information about the course registration process and academic advising. Family members and guests are invited to attend the First-Year Family Orientation program, which runs parallel to the student program.  

The transition process continues when students arrive on campus with a variety of programs and events during Weeks of Welcome in the fall semester and Winter Welcome in January.

Carolina Global Launch Student and Family Orientation

All newly admitted undergraduate students enrolling in Carolina Global Launch are required to attend a virtual pre-departure session, an in-person UNC Orientation session in Chapel Hill, and an in-person session at their Carolina Global Launch host institution prior to beginning courses. Students are then required to attend an in-person Orientation session in Chapel Hill in January prior to beginning courses. Sessions are designed to introduce students to UNC and their host institution.

During these programs, students will be acquainted with the academic opportunities and skills needed to take personal responsibility for their academic achievement and persistence, introduced to the programs and services available for Carolina Global Launch students, made aware of University traditions, and connected to their peers and other ways to broaden their Carolina community. Students also receive information about the course registration process. Family members and guests are invited to attend the virtual and Chapel Hill programs. Orientation sessions at the Carolina Global Launch host institutions are for participating students only.

The transition process continues when students arrive on campus with a variety of programs and events during Winter Welcome in January.

Transfer Student and Family Orientation

All newly admitted undergraduate transfer students are required to attend one of the summer Transfer Orientation sessions prior to the start of their first term. Sessions are designed specifically for transfer students to learn about life at Carolina.  

During this one-day program, new transfer students meet and interact with faculty, staff, and other new transfer students. Students attend formal sessions about UNC policies and services and have the opportunity to learn more about areas of interest to them individually. To help ensure the availability of preferred courses, transfer students should register for fall classes as soon as registration is open. To register for courses, transfer students are required to pay their enrollment deposit, create their ONYEN and UNC Heelmail accounts, and complete the online academic advising module. Family members and guests are invited to attend the Transfer Family Orientation program, which runs parallel to the student program.  

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: Admissions Policy

Admission to the first-year class, admission by transfer, part-time classroom studies admissions, graduate school admissions, professional school admissions, summer admissions, admissions appeals, appendix a: admissions appeal procedure.

• All qualified persons are welcome to seek admission to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and all persons may apply for and accept admission confident that the policy and regular practice of the institution are not to discriminate in offering access to its educational programs and activities on the basis of age, gender, race, color, national origin, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. (See  University and Administrative Policies ).
• by the capacity of the institution to meet the instructional and other needs of students in the colleges, schools, departments, curricula, or other programs to which applicants seek admission and
• by enrollment levels approved for budgetary or other appropriate purposes.
• recognition of the institution's special responsibility to residents of North Carolina and
• the institution's judgment of the applicant's relative qualifications for satisfactory performance in the specific college, school, department, curriculum, or other program to which the applicant seeks admission.

Provided that the criteria set forth hereinafter are met, this policy of competitive admissions shall not prevent the admission of selected applicants:

• who give evidence of possessing special talents for University programs requiring such special talents, or
• whose admission is designed to help achieve variety within the total number of students admitted and enrolled.

In seeking variety within the total number of students admitted and enrolled, the University shall affirm its commitment to achieve excellence, to provide for the leadership of the educational, governmental, scientific, business, humanistic, artistic, and professional institutions of the state and nation, and to enrich the lives of all the people of North Carolina.

Admission of persons to the specific colleges, schools, curricula, or other programs of the institution shall be governed by the provisions set forth below.

Admission of undergraduate students to colleges or schools to pursue programs leading to a baccalaureate degree shall be the responsibility of the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. The Admissions Office shall apply policies and procedures that, not inconsistent with policies adopted by the Board of Trustees, are approved by the Advisory Committee on Undergraduate Admissions.

In the application of the provisions set forth in the section above, preference for admission shall be given to qualified residents of North Carolina; however, in recognition of the educational and other values accruing to North Carolina students, to the institution, and to the state from participation of nonresident students in the programs of the institution, nonresidents may be admitted in the entering first-year class at levels deemed appropriate by campus leadership and in accordance with UNC system office policies.

Admission of undergraduates shall be to the first-year class, to other classes by transfer after satisfactory completion of college-level work in some other institution(s) of higher education, or to Part-Time Classroom Studies.

Admission and enrollment of persons who are candidates for financial aid for which athletic ability is a consideration shall be conditional upon compliance with applicable regulations of the Atlantic Coast Conference and the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

Admission to and enrollment in the first-year class shall be conditional upon graduation from secondary school (or equivalent) with such units of secondary school academic course credit that, at minimum, meet the UNC System's Minimum Admissions Requirements (MAR) and Minimum Course Requirements (MCR) , and any additional requirements specified by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. However, if all other criteria are met, the Admissions Office may make exceptions to MAR and/or MCR in accordance with procedures approved by the Advisory Committee on Undergraduate Admissions.

Criteria employed for determination of each applicant's qualifications for admission may include:

• satisfactory evidence of scholastic promise based upon the applicant's previous academic record, recommendations from schools previously attended, scores on selected tests of scholastic aptitude or achievement, and the applicant's written application for admission,
• e vidence of the app licant’s ability to succeed academically and personally and contribute to the university community.

Admission and enrollment by transfer from another institution shall be conditional upon a satisfactory academic record of work undertaken in all other institutions attended, the applicant's written application for admission, and satisfactory recommendations from institutions previously attended. Applicants’ eligibility to return to previous institutions may be considered in their evaluation. Other factors include evidence of the applicant’s ability to succeed academically and personally and contribute to the University.

Eligibility for admission to Part-Time Classroom Studies shall normally be limited to individuals living within commuting distance of Chapel Hill.

Admission to Part-Time Classroom Studies of an applicant who does not hold a baccalaureate degree shall be the responsibility of the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Such admissions shall be either:

• For credit, applicable toward fulfillment of degree requirements: The minimum requirements shall be the same as those for admission to degree programs and the Office of Undergraduate Admissions shall review each applicant using comparable academic criteria as for other degree-seeking students applying to the University; OR
• For personal benefit and enjoyment: The applicant may be exempted from the qualitative requirements for admission to degree programs. Notwithstanding this exemption from qualitative requirements, the applicant must have graduated from an approved or accredited secondary school or equivalent and must demonstrate the capacity to cope with the demands of University life.
• For applicants currently enrolled in secondary school : admission will be considered only if the applicant :

a. seeks to enroll in a University course for which there is no comparable course at the student's secondary school and

b. demonstrates adequate preparation for the course in which the student seeks to enroll.

Admission to Part-Time Classroom Studies of an applicant who holds a baccalaureate degree shall be the responsibility of UNC Digital and Lifelong Learning . Such admissions shall be for personal benefit and enjoyment, for the satisfaction of prerequisite requirements for professional or graduate programs, or for transfer of credit to a postbaccalaureate degree program, in which case the applicant may be exempted from the qualitative requirements for admission to degree programs.

For information on Graduate School admissions, refer to catalog.unc.edu/admissions/graduate/.

Admission of students to the professional degree programs in schools other than The Graduate School and to nondegree programs in the schools of the Division of Health Affairs shall be, in each of these schools, the responsibility of its established committee on admissions, which shall apply policies, procedures, and requirements, not inconsistent with the provisions of this policy, adopted by the faculty of the school and approved by the Chancellor or his delegate.

Admission of applicants to any summer session shall be the responsibility of the offices above with the following exception:

• The Summer School may accept visiting students who are enrolling only for the summer.

Admission during the summer term by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and the Graduate School shall be in conformity with the provisions set forth in this policy for other undergraduate and graduate admissions.

Admission as a Summer School visitor by the dean of Summer School shall be in conformity with policies, procedures, and requirements adopted by the Administrative Board of Summer School. Each such admission shall terminate as of the last day of that summer term and shall include no commitment, stated or implied, for admission of the student to any subsequent semester or session of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Appeals concerning individual admission, or admission rescission, decisions shall be governed by the admissions appeal procedure contained in Appendix A.

* This policy adopted by resolution of the Board of Trustees on September 3, 1976.

* Amended by Board of Trustees, August 24, 1984.

* Amended by Board of Governors, March 14, 1986.

* Amended by Board of Trustees, May 27, 1994.

* Amended by Board of Trustees, effective January 1, 2006.

* Amended by Board of Trustees, effective January 23, 2014.

This document sets forth the procedures to be followed with respect to the appeal of a negative admissions decision, including a decision to rescind an admission that has already been granted.

• a provision set forth in the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill admissions policy ("admissions policy") has been violated or
• the decision not to admit the individual or to rescind admission resulted from a material procedural error in the admissions process. An applicant’s omission of relevant information from the original application for admission will not ordinarily constitute grounds for an appeal; nor will academic or personal circumstances that changed after the submission of the application. Such an appeal shall be lodged by the applicant with the administrative officer (the director of undergraduate admissions, the dean of The Graduate School, the dean of the professional school concerned, or the dean of Summer School) whose office had responsibility for the admission in question (hereafter the "admissions officer") within 30 days after the University posts the applicant's online decision. The appeal shall be in writing and shall set forth the grounds for the appeal. Upon receipt of the appeal, the admissions officer or the admissions officer’s designee shall review the applicant's file and appeal letter, determine whether the grounds for an appeal are met, and shall communicate his or her decision on the appeal to the applicant in writing.
• The decision has been previously appealed to the designated admissions offier in item 1 and denied and
• a provision set forth in the admissions policy has been violated or
• the decision not to admit the individual or to rescind admission resulted from a material procedural error in the admissions, or appeal, process.

An applicant’s omission of relevant information from the original application for admission or from the appeal to the admissions officer will not ordinarily constitute grounds for an appeal; nor will academic or personal circumstances that changed after the submission of the application or the appeal to the admissions officer. Such an appeal shall be lodged with the provost by filing a letter of appeal specifying the grounds for the appeal within 15 days after the applicant has received the letter communicating the decision of the admissions officer. The provost may designate the review of these appeals within his or her immediate office.

The appeal shall be reviewed by the provost or the provost's designee. Following the review, the provost or designee will communicate the decision to the applicant in writing. The decision of the provost is final, and no further appeal is available.

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3 Tips for Writing Stellar UNC Chapel Hill Supplement Essays

College Essays

If you're applying for admission to UNC Chapel Hill , you'll have to write a total of three essays as part of your application. Your UNC Chapel Hill supplemental essays are a great way to tell the admissions committee more about yourself while also showing your interest in UNC and your dedication to your education.

In this article, we'll break down what the UNC essay prompts are, what you should talk about in each, and offer tips for writing great UNC supplemental essays.

What Are the UNC Essay Prompts?

UNC Chapel Hill uses the Common Application for its admissions process. As a first-year applicant, you'll be required to write a total of three essays: one Common Application essay and two UNC-specific essays.

The UNC supplemental essays are two 200-250 word essays that respond to UNC-specific questions. There are a total of four UNC supplemental essays to choose from; you get to pick whichever two you would like to answer.

Here are the four UNC essay prompts:

• Describe an aspect of your identity and how this has shaped your life experiences or impacted your daily interactions with others?
• Describe a peer who is making a difference in your school or community. What actions has that peer taken? How has their work made a difference in your life?
• If you could change one thing to better your community, what would it be? Please explain.
• Former UNC-Chapel Hill employee, community service member, and civil rights activist Esphur Foster once said, “We are nothing without our history.” Her words are memorialized on the Northside Neighborhood Freedom Fighters monument. How does history shape who you are?

In the next section, we'll talk about how to answer each of the UNC supplemental essays.

UNC Supplemental Essays, Analyzed

Each of the four UNC essay prompts asks you to share about something in your life that the admissions committee wouldn't know from reading the rest of your application. The key to writing great UNC supplemental essays is to be personal and specific.

Let's take a look at what the admissions committee wants to know in each prompt.

Describe an aspect of your identity and how this has shaped your life experiences or impacted your daily interactions with others? (200-250 words)

To answer this prompt, you'll have to do three things. First, you need to identify a peer who's active in your community and making a difference. You can interpret the word “peer” loosely here if you want to. It could be someone your age or someone from your school, or just another person in your social group you’ve seen making a difference. 

No matter who you choose, you'll have to briefly explain who they are and what they're doing. This will help your readers contextualize why this person is important! And, as usual, it's even better if you can do this in a story format. Maybe you volunteered with someone from your dance class who also happens to be one of the most outspoken advocates for climate change in your city. Telling a story about your personal experience with them would take your essay to another level.

Finally, you need to be very specific about how the community builder you've chosen has impacted your life. While it's great if you have a close relationship with this person, you don't have to in order to write a great essay! Maybe your school’s student body president organized a group that cleans litter out of neighborhoods. While you don't know her personally, her group's hard work makes your life cleaner, and it helps people have more pride in their city.

Keep in mind that even though you're talking about another person, this essay should still showcase something about you. Pick a person who inspires you or shares your values, and explain why you think their work matters. Don't miss the chance to help admissions counselors get to know you better!

Describe an aspect of your identity (for example, your religion, culture, race, sexual or gender identity, affinity group, etc.). How has this aspect of your identity shaped your life experiences thus far? (200-250 words)

To answer this prompt, you're going to have to do a little introspection. The admissions counselors want you to write about one aspect of who you are , then explain how it has impacted your values, ideas, and experiences.

The good news (and maybe bad news?) is that there are tons of facets to your personality. The prompt gives you a few big areas you can focus on, but the trick is going to be to pick an element of your identity that you can tell a story about.

Let's say you identify as trans. That's probably a huge part of who you are! To write this essay, start by telling a story about how your trans identity has shaped you. Maybe you were elected homecoming queen after you transitioned, and it showed you how accepting yourself was the first step in being accepted by others. Whatever the case may be, using a story will be key to connecting with your audience.

And of course, don't forget to answer the second part of the prompt about how this part of your identity has shaped you as a person. Make sure you're making the connection for your reader! Don't just say you're the child of Palestinian immigrants. Explain how that has solidified your commitment to humanitarianism and economic equality.

If you could change one thing to better your community, what would it be? Please explain. (200-250 words)

While this prompt may seem serious, it doesn't have to be. You don't need to do in-depth research into your neighborhood and your city's politics, but you do need to pick a change that has personal meaning for you.

For instance, maybe you and your neighbors don't know each other well and you'd like to have a greater feeling of community with the people you live nearby. That reason has nothing to do with legislation, but would still make a big impact!

The key here is to identify the thing you would change, then explain why you would make that change. Going back to our example about neighborhood community, maybe the "why" is because it would help you support one another. Your neighbors could help each other with yard work, child care, and maybe even after school tutoring! By bringing people together, not only do you take some of the burden off of individuals, but it would form the bonds that help make neighborhoods happy, healthy, and safe places to live.

The last crucial detail you need to discuss in your response is how you would contribute to this change. Don't be afraid of dreaming big! You can easily integrate your explanation of how you’d contribute into your description of the change that you want to see. 

To the extent that you can, give concrete details about what you’d do to support this change . As much as this prompt is asking about your community, it’s even more interested in finding out how you perceive your role in your community--and whether you take that responsibility seriously. 

Former UNC-Chapel Hill employee, community service member, and civil rights activist Esphur Foster once said, “We are nothing without our history.” Her words are memorialized on the Northside Neighborhood Freedom Fighters monument. How does history shape who you are? (200-250 words)

This prompt is asking you to show your awareness of your place in the world beyond the things that are local to you, like your family, school, and hometown. Understanding how history has shaped who you are helps you be an ethical citizen and member of your communities--qualities that UNC is looking for in its applicants!

But “history” seems a little broad, right? The good news about that is that you can bring your own interpretation of the term “history” to your response here. You could look reflect on aspects of U.S. history, world history, or the history of a set of religious beliefs. You could write about something more personal, like your family history, or something pertaining to your academic interests, like the history of women in computer science!

The key here is to make sure you explain how a specific piece of history has shaped who you are --your identity and your views of the world. To do this effectively, you won’t be able to summarize the entire history of the United States or the legacies of second-wave feminism. You’ll have to incorporate one or two historical details into your story and dive deep into how they have shaped who you are. Because as the prompt says, we are nothing without our history!

3 Tips For Mastering Your UNC Essays

Hoping to write two amazing UNC supplemental essays? Follow these key tips to do so!

#1: Use Your Own Voice

The point of a college essay is for the admissions committee to have the chance to get to know you beyond what's featured in other parts of your application. Your admissions essays are your chance to become more than just a collection of statistics—to really come alive for your application readers.

Make sure that the person you're presenting in your college essays is yourself. Don't just write what you think the committee wants to hear or try to act like someone you're not—it will be really easy for the committee to tell you're lying.

If you lie or exaggerate, your essay will come across as insincere, which will at best diminish its effectiveness and at worst make the admissions committee think twice on accepting you. Stick to telling real stories about the person you really are, not who you think UNC wants you to be.

#2: Avoid Cliches and Overused Phrases

When writing your UNC essays, don't use cliches or overused quotes or phrases. The college admissions committee has probably seen numerous essays that state, "Be the change you want to see in the world." You can write something more original than that!

Each of the UNC essays asks you something specific about your experience or background. Your essay should be 100% you—you don't want the admissions committee to think, "Anyone could have written this essay."

#3: Check Your Work

Your UNC essays should be the strongest example of your work possible. Before you turn in your UNC Chapel Hill application, edit and proofread your essays.

Run your essays through a spelling and grammar check before you submit and ask someone else to read your essays. You can seek a second opinion on your work from a parent, teacher, or friend. Ask them whether your work represents you as a student and person. Have them check and make sure you haven't missed any small writing errors. Having a second opinion will help your work be the best it possibly can be.

Final Thoughts

Your UNC supplemental essays are your chance to show the admissions committee what makes you special and different from the other tens of thousands of students applying for admission at UNC.

In your essays, make sure you are authentic, well-spoken, and polished so you give the admissions committee the best possible understanding of who you are as a person.

What's Next?

Need more help with your scholarship search? Read our expert guide on how to find college scholarships .

Need help writing your Common App essay? Our tips will show you how to write a Common App essay guaranteed to make you stand out from other applicants!

How does UNC's selectivity compare with those of other top colleges? Get the answer in our guide to the most selective schools in the nation !

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Hayley Milliman is a former teacher turned writer who blogs about education, history, and technology. When she was a teacher, Hayley's students regularly scored in the 99th percentile thanks to her passion for making topics digestible and accessible. In addition to her work for PrepScholar, Hayley is the author of Museum Hack's Guide to History's Fiercest Females.

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UNC Supplemental Essays 2022-2023

Unc supplemental essays 2022-23, unc supplemental essays: quick facts.

• UNC Chapel Hill acceptance rate: 19%— U.S. News ranks the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill as a most selective school.
• 2 short answer (~200-250 word) essays 
• 5 fill-in-the-blank (~25 word) essays
• UNC application note: Students applying to UNC Chapel Hill can do so via the Common Application . In addition to the UNC Chapel Hill essays, students will also be required to complete on Common App essay. 
• #1 UNC Chapel Hill Essay Tip: We recommend answering all of the UNC Chapel Hill essays carefully and authentically. This will help maximize your admissions odds.

How many essays does the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill require?

The UNC supplemental essays come in two categories. First, there are the short answer UNC application essays (200-250 words each). Second, there are fill-in-the-blank UNC essays (25 words each).

All students must choose two of the four UNC essays available in the short answer category. Then, every applicant must respond to all five fill-in-the-blank responses. This means that each student will write a total of seven UNC essays and short supplements.

Students will also need to write one personal statement from the Common App essay prompts. 

What are the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill supplemental essays?

UNC requires all applicants to complete several UNC supplemental essays in addition to the personal statement found on the Common App . You can find the full prompts for the UNC application essays on the UNC website and in the Common App. We’ll also break down each of the UNC supplemental essays in this guide. 

The two short answer prompts and five fill-in-the-blank responses that each applicant must submit form part of UNC-Chapel Hill ’s holistic evaluation process. According to UNC, the university’s goal is to build a diverse and inclusive community. They hope to learn from each candidate what membership in a community means to them.

Highlighting community

In reading the UNC supplemental essays below, you’ll notice that all four of the short answer prompts ask about aspects of community. As we break down how to address each prompt, we’ll show you how to think through your definitions of community. The best answers to these UNC essays will show that the student has a thorough understanding of what community means to them. They will also address how community impacts them. Successful UNC Chapel Hill supplemental essays will also discuss how students’ actions in a community affect others.

If writing seven UNC Chapel Hill essays sounds like a lot to think about, don’t be discouraged! Instead, view the UNC supplemental essays as your chance to introduce yourself to the UNC admissions team. With seven UNC supplemental essays to write , you have even more opportunities to showcase what makes you unique. Use each response to show UNC admissions why UNC-Chapel Hill should admit you.

UNC Supplemental Essays: Short Essays

As a part of the UNC admissions requirements, all applicants to UNC will choose two of four short answer UNC Chapel Hill essays. While each of these UNC essays has a maximum of just 250 words, these are the longest UNC supplemental essays you’ll write!

UNC Chapel Hill Supplemental Essays- Short Answer Prompts

1. Describe an aspect of your identity (for example, your religion, culture, race, sexual or gender identity, affinity group, etc.). How has this aspect of your identity shaped your life experiences thus far?

2. Describe a peer you see as a community builder. What actions has that peer taken? How has their work made a difference in your life? 

3. If you could change one thing to better your community, what would it be? Why is it important and how would you contribute to this change?

4. Former UNC-Chapel Hill employee, community service member, and civil rights activist Esphur Foster once said, “We are nothing without our history.” Her words are memorialized on the Northside Neighborhood Freedom Fighters monument . How does history shape who you are?

As you may have noticed, each of the prompts focus on identity and community. When considering how to write UNC Chapel Hill essays, you’ll need to think about your communities and how they’ve shaped you. Long before the UNC application deadline, start your brainstorming for these essays. That way, you can make sure that you choose the most meaningful topics possible. 

Now, let’s further break down each of these prompts so that you know just how to tackle them. 

UNC Supplemental Essays # 1

Describe an aspect of your identity and how this has shaped your life experiences or impacted your daily interactions with others.

The first of the short answer UNC supplemental essays revolves entirely around you and your own identity. The category of “identity” is quite broad. So, successful UNC essays will look quite different for each applicant. 

When approaching this essay, you could focus on a number of aspects that may shape your identity: religion, culture, race, sexual or gender identity, or affinity group. While other things may be important to your identity—such as a love of reading or a deep-seeded interest in classical music—these interests might not belong in this UNC supplement essay unless they connect back to your core identities. Successful UNC Chapel Hill essays will need to show just how this aspect of your identity has impacted your life.

Getting started

As you begin the first of the UNC Chapel Hill supplemental essays, think about how your identities inform the ways you relate to the world. After all, while everyone occupies a variety of identities, these identities will impact every person in different ways. Maybe you’ve faced difficulties as a disabled student working in a field not designed for you; maybe you’ve encountered challenges as a BIPOC student working to cross systemic barriers and access educational opportunities. Whatever you discuss, make sure it feels unique to you and your experience.

And of course, make sure to avoid any bigotry or offensive language. The only exception is if you are describing an incident where you’ve experienced bigotry. Then, you could use this incident as a starting point to draw your reader in. However, it shouldn’t be the focus of your response.

Complete answers

Be sure to answer this prompt in its entirety. The aspect of your identity that you mention doesn’t matter as much as its impact on your life. So, when choosing which aspect of your identity to focus on, make sure that you can expand on its influence on your life experiences and daily life. 

If you have a couple of options, try brainstorming each aspect’s impact. Then, choose the one that feels the most important to you. If you’re passionate about your topic, your essay will have a better chance of impressing UNC admissions. Remember that successful UNC essays will do more than just check another box off on your UNC admissions requirements. It will further show the admissions committee who you are.

UNC Chapel Hill Essay Reflection Questions:

• Do you discuss a part of your identity that significantly impacts your daily life?
• Does your essay highlight this identity in a unique way?
• Is your essay free of any bigotry or offensive language?

UNC Supplemental Essays #2

Describe a peer who is making a difference in your school or community. what actions has that peer taken how has their work made a difference in your life.

The second of the UNC supplemental essays essentially asks you to define your values through a peer you admire. Keep in mind that the UNC admissions team explicitly asks you to describe a peer—namely, someone your own age who you work alongside. This essay is not your chance to talk about world leaders who inspire you; instead, it asks you to talk about how real change can start in your own communities. Successful UNC supplemental essays, therefore, should center around a classmate, coworker, or friend whose actions have changed how you see the world.

It might be tempting to spend most of your 250 words discussing the peer you choose. However, remember that this is your UNC application. Above all, your reader should come away from this essay with greater insight into who you are. So, whichever peer you describe, be sure to tie your response back to your identity and your own engagement with your community. In other words, devote a portion of your response to what you’ve done as a result of your peer’s influence.

Define “community builder”

When completing UNC supplemental essays, students should first consider how they define a “community builder.” What communities do you occupy, and how do your peers enhance these communities? You can also discuss a peer who may belong to a different community whose actions have inspired you to take action in your own circles. 

Additionally, keep in mind that this essay asks you to describe particular “actions” your peer has taken to build community. This means you should be as specific as possible when describing your peer’s behavior and any traits you hope to emulate.

To structure this UNC supplement essay, begin by describing your chosen peer and the specific actions that make them a “community builder.” You might also use an anecdote to illustrate their commitment to their community. However, as soon as you’ve introduced your peer, you should shift toward your own perception of community. How has the peer you describe changed your worldview? How have they contributed to your own understanding of community? 

Focus on impact

It’s important to note that this essay is less about the peer and the action they’re taking, and more about its impact on you and the community. Be sure that the meat of your essays focuses on that. Has this person motivated you to take your own actions on a topic of importance to you? Or have they influenced your course of study? Or maybe their work directly impacts you and your community? Whatever it is, just make sure that after describing your peer and their work, you focus on its impact on you. 

Remember that you only have 250 words to completely answer these UNC supplemental essays. Make sure to respond thoughtfully and completely in order to impress UNC admissions. 

Reflection Questions for UNC Supplemental Essays:

• Do you describe a peer (classmate, coworker, friend, etc.) rather than a public figure or adult in your life who inspires you?
• Does your essay include details of why this peer is an impactful community builder?
• Do you use your discussion of your peer to address your own values concerning community?

UNC Supplemental Essays #3

If you could change one thing to better your community, what would it be please explain..

Like some of the other UNC supplemental essays, this prompt emphasizes the value of community. In evaluating your response to this UNC supplement essay, the UNC admissions team wants to see if you can think critically about community. Successful UNC essays will also demonstrate the applicant’s problem-solving skills. In other words, it’s not enough to identify the problem—you also need to show that you can take steps towards solving it.

Essentially, this UNC supplement essay prompt asks you to describe one thing you would change to make your community a better place. As you consider your response, you should first define the community you wish to improve. Is it your neighborhood? Your school? Your church? Successful UNC supplemental essays could describe many kinds of communities, so while you shouldn’t limit yourself, it’s still important to be specific about the community that you’d like to change.

Once you’ve defined your community, it’s time to think about how you would make this community a better place. Notice that this UNC supplement essay asks for one action. Make a list of all of the things that you’d like to change in the community that you chose. The changes can be both big and small, but they should be specific. For example, instead of just saying you would like to “solve homelessness,” you could say that you’d like to increase access to affordable housing in your community.

Be specific

Citing a specific objective will help you answer the second portion of the prompt, which asks how you would contribute to the change. Take a look at your list of possible answers to this UNC supplement essay—what are you most passionate about? What do you feel you could make the most contributions toward changing with your skills and talents? Ask yourself these questions to find the one thing you’d like to change.

Now that you’ve identified the one thing you’d like to change, consider why it’s important to change this. Avoid vague language like “homelessness is bad.” Instead, think about concrete effects that the issue has on your community, the individuals it impacts, and its larger effects on society, the nation, and the world. Your UNC supplemental essays should show the UNC admissions team your critical thinking skills.

You’ll need to address how you would contribute to this change. There are a couple of ways you can tackle this: practically or hypothetically. Let’s revisit the homelessness example. A practical contribution towards increasing access to affordable housing could look like a student volunteering with Habitat for Humanity and helping to build affordable homes in their community. Hypothetical responses can be much larger—you may talk about how you’d like to help to create an organization that builds and manages hotels and halfway homes for the homeless. Whether you dream big or keep it practical in this UNC supplement essay, remember to discuss why your “one change” is important and exactly how you’d contribute to making it happen.

• Do you identify a community that matters to you?
• Does your essay specify one tangible way that you could make a difference in this community?
• Do you explain why this change would be important?

UNC Supplemental Essays #4

Former unc-chapel hill employee, community service member, and civil rights activist esphur foster once said, “we are nothing without our history.” her words are memorialized on the northside neighborhood freedom fighters monument . how does history shape who you are.

Like the other UNC Chapel Hill supplemental essays, this essay prompt revolves around identity and community—even if it doesn’t seem that way at first glance. By framing this question about history through a lens of civil rights activism, this prompt asks you to understand your identity and background through a historical lens. In doing so, it asks you to reflect on your own position within structures of hierarchy and oppression.

The last of the UNC Chapel Hill essays can be a great space to discuss your relationship with your racial, ethnic, or cultural background. It’s important, however, to handle these topics delicately. If you’re not from a background with a history of marginalization, you shouldn’t view this UNC supplement essay as your chance to show the admissions team how accepting you are by describing the conditions that your BIPOC peers might face. Tell your own story—don’t try to tell someone else’s.

Showcase your worldview

To that end, like the other UNC essays, this response should show the admissions team who you are and how you see the world. Don’t describe an interesting family anecdote without telling your reader how your familial background impacts your lived experience. If your topic doesn’t relate to your own identity and character, it probably doesn’t belong in your UNC essays. 

Remember that UNC prepares its students to be creators, explorers, innovators, and leaders . This essay could be a good opportunity to show just how you would fit into the UNC community by sharing a key part of your background or ancestry. 

There are a number of ways to answer this prompt. Don’t feel limited to using large historical movements only. In fact, those may seem inauthentic and cliche. For example, instead of writing about the Women’s Rights Movement and its impact on your life today, you may write about having come from a household of all women. It’s likely that those independent, strong women had a greater, direct influence on your life. When considering how to respond to this prompt, remember that history can refer to personal and familial history. 

Reflection Questions for UNC Essays:

• Does your essay reveal something relevant to your overall character?
• Do you focus the essay on yourself rather than around external anecdotes?
• Do you tell your own story?

Choosing your UNC essay prompts

As you consider your UNC essays, think about what stories make you who you are. Essentially, all of the UNC supplemental essays ask you to discuss your identity, background, and community. However, each prompt approaches these topics differently. If one of the UNC-Chapel Hill supplemental essays particularly speaks to you, follow your instinct! However, if you’re struggling to choose two UNC supplemental essays to respond to (or can’t narrow down your options), it might be time for a structured free-write.

Here’s how it works: choose a prompt and set a ten-minute timer. Write about that prompt for the full ten minutes without editing, revising, or reading over your work. Once you finish your first prompt, move to the next. Do this for each of the UNC supplemental essays. If you find yourself with a lot to say about a given topic—or you just enjoy writing about it—you’ve found one of your UNC supplemental essays.

The power of free-writing

If you still feel stuck after your free-write , don’t worry! Look over your free writes for each of the UNC supplemental essays and think about how an admissions officer might view them. Which of these stories tell the reader the most about you? What narratives are the most engaging? Which responses showcase your unique traits? The most authentic stories will make the strongest UNC supplemental essays.

Once you’ve chosen your topics for your UNC supplemental essays, it’s time to start drafting. Reference the previous sections, as we broke down each of the short answer UNC essays. Remember, while we discussed all four of the UNC Chapel Hill supplemental essay prompts, you will only choose two of these UNC supplemental essays to complete.

If you’re still struggling with choosing topics for the UNC supplemental essays, look over (or write) your college application letters . You may recall important moments within those letters that could trigger some ideas for the UNC Chapel Hill essays. 

How do I answer the supplemental essays at UNC-Chapel Hill?

Your UNC supplemental essays should complement the rest of your UNC application to help the admissions team understand who you are and why you belong at UNC.

Wondering what it looks like to build a personal narrative in your application? Check out our expert’s dive into the personal narrative .

Remember to use dynamic, descriptive language in each of your UNC Chapel Hill supplemental essays. Your reader should be able to sense your passion and enthusiasm in your UNC supplemental essays. As a rule, authentic, genuine responses make for the strongest UNC Chapel Hill essays. The UNC admissions team read thousands of applications—it’s easy to spot shallow responses meant only to impress admissions officers.

Unsure of where to start when it comes to the UNC Chapel Hill essays? Figuring out how to get into UNC Chapel Hill will require a strong overall UNC application. Start by reading this how to get into UNC Chapel Hill guide . After you understand the process as a whole, then reference this guide as it will give you the tools to craft strong responses to the UNC supplemental essays.

UNC Supplemental Essays: Fill-in-the-Blank

So, you’ve begun your short answer UNC supplemental essays. Congratulations! Now, before you start daydreaming about the possibility of living and studying in one of the best college towns in the U.S., let’s turn to the fill-in-the-blank UNC essays.

These UNC essays aren’t essays at all—they’re simply short-form questions that aim to help the admissions team learn more about you. Your short answer UNC supplemental essays were the hard part. 

When answering these UNC Chapel Hill essays, you don’t have to stress about choosing a major or writing the “why school essay.” Now, it’s just time to have fun.

UNC Supplemental Essays: Fill-in-the-blank

1. One family, friend, or school tradition I cherish: ________________________________________________

2. If I had an extra hour in every day, I would spend it: ________________________________________________

3. If I could travel anywhere, near or far, past, present or future, I would go: ____________________________________

4. The last time I stepped outside my comfort zone, I: ________________________________________________

5. People who meet me are most likely to notice, and least likely to notice: ________________________________________

Above all, these short UNC Chapel Hill supplemental essays should add context to your candidate profile and help the admissions team get to know you. Each of your fill-in-the-blank UNC Chapel Hill essays should supplement the rest of your UNC application, working alongside your longer UNC supplemental essays to paint a complete picture of your identity.

With only 25 words for each prompt, you don’t have much space. Plan to answer each of these short UNC application essays in just 1-2 sentences. Don’t waste space repeating the prompt. For instance, don’t start your response to Prompt 4 with “ The last time I stepped outside my comfort zone, I …” Instead, cut to the chase. For Prompt 4, you might write, “I made a soup bowl that leaks in a pottery class but found a fun new hobby.”

Since these are fill-in-the-blank questions, the admissions team doesn’t expect you to fully explain your responses in each of these UNC-Chapel Hill essays. You should include one sentence or clause of explanation in each response, but not more. For example, a response to Prompt 3 might read, “The early 90s–I’ve always wondered what a world with dial-up internet and without smartphones was like.” This response gives admissions officers a bit more context than just writing “the early 90s.”

Save the anecdotes

You also don’t need to include additional anecdotes in these UNC essays. Hopefully, your other UNC Chapel Hill supplemental essays have already shown the admissions team who you are. Now, you can focus on telling them any additional information. For instance, a 250-word response to one of the UNC Chapel Hill supplemental essays above might begin with a personal story, but there’s no need (or space) for that in these fill-in-the-blank UNC questions. Instead, just give your reader the information. A quick response—such as “My family always makes pierogis on Christmas Eve to celebrate our Polish heritage”—will do just fine.

Finally, don’t let the absolute language in these prompts scare you. However, don’t be intimidated. At the end of the day, these UNC Chapel Hill essays simply ask you for 25 word answers that share a little bit more of who you are.

Add some (tasteful) humor

Additionally, if the rest of your UNC-Chapel Hill supplemental essays have demonstrated your depth, you can use these short UNC supplemental essays to add a bit of humor to your application. One response to Prompt 2 might be “I would study Portugese,” but another valid response might be, “I’d sleep. I’m a nine-hour a night person.” Think about your application in context—if you’ve already shown that you have a vast inner life, you can afford to be cheeky. If you do go this route, however, limit your jokes to just one of the fill-in-the-blank UNC essays. And, as always in your UNC Chapel Hill supplemental essays and these short questions, avoid offensive language.

At the end of the day, don’t overthink these short answer UNC supplemental essays. You should spend most of your time on your UNC application essays rather than deciding which year of the future you’d like to visit. Go with your gut! If your responses to these fill-in-the-blank UNC essays help your reader learn more about you, you’re on the right track.

Are the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill supplemental essays important?

Yes! As #29 on U.S. News’ Best Colleges list and with a competitive acceptance rate , UNC Chapel Hill places plenty of emphasis on the UNC supplemental essays. It is in fact one of the most important UNC admissions requirements, especially since UNC has extended their test-optional policy for this admissions cycle. However, don’t let the UNC Chapel Hill essays intimidate you. Think of the UNC Chapel Hill essays as your chance to address the admissions team on your own terms. Use this opportunity to show them what you’ll bring to UNC!

25 Best Test-Optional Colleges

Remember, a well-crafted set of UNC Chapel Hill essays can make a huge difference in admissions. There are many UNC admissions requirements, but the UNC supplemental essays are the best way to show your personality and impress admissions. Take your UNC essays seriously—you’ll be glad you did. You may even find inspiration in reading college essay examples . Remember not to mimic other essays, but use them in order to understand how to write your own successful UNC supplemental essays. 

College Essay Examples: 10 Best Examples of College Essays and Why They Worked

More details about UNC Chapel Hill

UNC Chapel Hill is not only a high ranking national university, but is also ranked #1 in value amongst public universities. To many applicants trying to figure out how to pay for college , quality yet affordable universities are at the top of their lists. Check out UNC’s scholarships and financial aid opportunities.

To learn more about how the UNC Chapel Hill supplemental essays fit into the UNC application, visit their admissions page for a list of the UNC admissions requirements. When considering how to get into UNC Chapel Hill applicants will need a strong overall UNC application, including the UNC supplemental essays. 

Be sure to check the UNC application deadline and UNC admission requirements in addition to your UNC supplemental essays. The UNC essays are important, but at a selective school like UNC Chapel Hill, every part of the application matters. 

UNC Supplemental Essays: Final Thoughts

Before diving into the UNC supplemental essays, first do your research on UNC Chapel Hill . It may be exciting to think about getting your college acceptance letter and figuring out the college enrollment process, but first make sure to be passionate about the schools you apply to . When considering how to write UNC Chapel Hill essays, understanding the university’s mission and values is key. From there, you can build strong essays that focus on who you are and why you want to attend UNC Chapel Hill. 

While completing two 250-word UNC Chapel Hill essays and five short-answer questions might seem like a lot, don’t let the sheer volume of UNC application essays discourage you from applying. Your UNC supplemental essays are your time to show off what makes you unique.

Don’t forget to revise

Finally, don’t forget to revise your UNC application essays multiple times. In fact, you’ll want to start your writing process for these UNC application essays early, a least a few months before the UNC application deadline. Once you’ve completed a draft, you might also ask a trusted adult to proofread your UNC Chapel Hill essays for spelling, grammar, and clarity. However, it’s best to stay away from heavy edits that erase your voice from the UNC supplemental essays. Remember, the admissions officers want to know more about you, not the person who helped you edit your UNC Chapel Hill supplemental essays. Good luck!

This 2021-2022 essay guide on UNC – Chapel Hill was written by Abbie Sage, Harvard ‘21. Want help crafting your UNC supplemental essays 2021? Click here to create your free  account , or call (844) 343-6272 to  schedule your free advising consultation  with an Admissions Specialist.

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How to Ace the 2024-2025 UNC Supplemental Essay Prompts 

Ginny Howey is a former content writer at Scholarships360. Ginny graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in May 2022 with a degree in Media and Journalism (Advertising/PR focus) and minors in Entrepreneurship and Spanish. Ginny’s professional experience includes two summers as a writer intern at global creative consultancy BCG BrightHouse. More recently, Ginny worked as a content marketing intern for Durham-based software engineering bootcamp Momentum, where she gained SEO skills. She has also written freelance articles on emerging tech for A.I. startup Resultid.

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Cece Gilmore is a Content Writer at Scholarships360. Cece earned her undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Arizona State University. While at ASU, she was the education editor as well as a published staff reporter at Downtown Devil. Cece was also the co-host of her own radio show on Blaze Radio ASU.

Cari Schultz is an Educational Review Board Advisor at Scholarships360, where she reviews content featured on the site. For over 20 years, Cari has worked in college admissions (Baldwin Wallace University, The Ohio State University, University of Kentucky) and as a college counselor (Columbus School for Girls).

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The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is the country’s oldest state university. Apart from its star-studded basketball program, UNC Chapel Hill is known for offering top-notch academics. If you want to become part of the next class of Tarheels, focus on crushing your UNC supplemental essays. Your responses should convey your distinct voice and why you are a great fit for the school. Keep reading to learn more about how to best respond to the prompts! 

Related : How to win UNC Chapel Hill scholarships

The UNC supplemental essay prompts

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill wants to know how you’d contribute to the campus community. They ask that you respond to the following two prompts in up to 250 words each. 

Discuss one of your personal qualities and share a story, anecdote, or memory of how it helped you make a positive impact on a community. This could be your current community or another community you have engaged.

Ultimately, this question is asking you to discuss any community service you have done. This could include a wide array of activities ranging from typical community service such as picking up litter around your neighborhood to starting a club at your high school. This prompt also specifies that it can be any type of community that you have engaged in, so feel free to get creative! Some examples of communities can be your high school, your neighborhood, a place of worship or a sports team. Think about any group you have aided and what exactly you did in order to help them. Be sure to pick a story, anecdote or memory that paints you in a positive light and reveals a lot about you as a person! Remember, ultimately UNC asked this question in order to know more about you and your personality so be sure to have it shine through in this response! Once you have described your story and how it impacted your community, take it one step further by detailing how you hope to change your future UNC community in a similar fashion. For example, if you discuss starting a recycling club at your high school, you can end your response with detailing how you hope to start a similar club at UNC to help reduce the environmental impact the university will have. Connecting back to UNC will give you some bonus points with the UNC admissions officer reading over your response! Overall, be sure that you are painting a picture in your response rather than just stating your contributions to a community. 

Questions to consider

• What have you done or participated in in order to benefit your community?
• What do you hope to bring to UNC to help better the UNC community?
• How did helping your community make you feel? Would you do that action again? 

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Discuss an academic topic that you’re excited to explore and learn more about in college. Why does this topic interest you? Topics could be a specific course of study, research interests, or any other area related to your academic experience in college.

Upon first glance of this prompt, it seems like the perfect opportunity to dive into why you selected your major and what you are passionate about within that field! However, it is encouraged to discuss your major but it is not required! Rather, you can discuss an interest beyond your major. Ultimately, it is a personal preference on what you decide to write about! When selecting a topic to write about, you should try to be as specific as possible. Do not just say “psychology” rather say “developmental psychology, specifically nature vs nurture in children.” Being specific allows you to truly showcase your passion and can allow you to discuss specific UNC classes, clubs and professors that relate to this specific niche interest in a field. Remember, one of the best ways to describe your passion for a subject is through a story! So, provide a natural and captivating response that details your passion through a narrative. Once you complete this narrative, you should then be connecting back to UNC. Try to choose 1-2 UNC resources you are interested in taking advantage of such as a specific club, research lab or professor’s class that connect to your academic interest. 

• What are you academically passionate about? What are you hoping to major in in college? 
• Why are you interested in this field of study? Is there a personal connection? 
• What resources are available that you are excited about at UNC? 

Final pointers for acing the UNC supplemental essays

To know which essays to choose, consider brainstorming bullet points for each question. Strive to share compelling personal anecdotes and also reveal key pieces of your identity not shared elsewhere in your application. With these tips, you should have a great start on nailing your UNC-CH supplemental essays! 

Additional resources

Once you have completed your UNC supplemental essays and revised them to tell your stories succinctly, read up on how to choose a college. Supplemental essays are just one component of the college application process. Scholarships360 has plenty of resources to help with other aspects, such as our articles on everything you need to know about work study   and navigating different types of student loans.   While you are applying to colleges (and before and after too!), make sure that you apply for all the scholarships you are eligible for! 

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UNC Chapel Hill Supplemental Essays 2024-25 – Prompts and Advice

July 26, 2024

Those hoping to enter the Tar Heel Class of 2026 faced tougher competition than at any previous time in UNC Chapel Hill history. To quantify this assertion, there were 57,219 first-year applicants for the Class of 2026 and the overall acceptance rate was just 16.8%—less than half the figure seen two decades ago. North Carolinians continue to enjoy a sizable advantage. In fact, in-state applicants were accepted at roughly a 40% clip while out-of-state applicants experienced just a 10% admit rate. The mid-50% SAT range for North Carolinians was 1340-1500 while the range for out-of-staters was a more intimidating 1400-1540. For all applicants, the UNC-Chapel Hill supplemental essays will be of great importance.

(Want to learn more about How to Get Into the University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill? Visit our blog entitled: How to Get Into UNC–Chapel Hill for all of the most recent admissions data as well as tips for gaining acceptance.)

If you want to have your strongest shot at donning the Carolina blue and white, you’ll need to stand out on your application. Through its two short answer prompts, the UNC-Chapel Hill supplemental section affords applicants an opportunity to showcase what makes them uniquely qualified for admission. Below are the University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill’s supplemental prompts for the 2024-25 admissions cycle. We also include tips about how to address each one.

UNC-Chapel Hill Short Answer Prompts—2024-25

You’ll respond to each of the following two prompts in 200-250 words:

1) Discuss one of your personal qualities and share a story, anecdote, or memory of how it helped you make a positive impact on a community. This could be your current community or another community you have engaged.

This essay starts with an invitation to share a personal quality that you feel is essential for the admissions committee to know about. Next, you need to take that personal quality, situate it in a true story that involves the larger world, and explain how you made a positive impact on others. You may wish to “work backward” on this one. Think about how you positively helped a community in your life and then try to nail down which quality of yours ultimately had the most impact. This way, the audience will be able to clearly see your favorable quality in action versus you just explaining that you are empathetic, versatile, loyal, trustworthy, resilient, etc.

Additionally, as you consider your approach to this essay, it’s important to look at “community” as a broadly defined concept. Community can encompass anything from your high school, your neighborhood, a place of worship, your family, or even a club or sports team. Some words of warning with this one: this doesn’t need to be a grandiose vision. Be honest about your level of impact.

UNC Supplemental Essays (Continued)

2) Discuss an academic topic that you’re excited to explore and learn more about in college. Why does this topic interest you? Topics could be a specific course of study, research interests, or any other area related to your academic experience in college.

Here, Chapel Hill is asking you to share your story of how you became interested in your selected discipline. You can structure the narrative of this essay as a soup-to-nuts chronicle of your entire journey toward your discipline of interest. Contrarily, you could share one or two vignettes that illustrate your burgeoning passion for engineering, history, French, computer science, business, psychology, etc. As you begin the prewriting phase, you may want to ask yourself the following questions:

• What is your first strong memory relating to your future area of study?
• What fills you with wonder?
• What books have you read on the subject?
• Do you consume podcasts or documentaries related to your passions?
• Have certain online or print publications helped to fuel your interests?
• What subtopics of your prospective discipline most intrigue you?
• Did a teacher excite you about this topic or was it a parent/relative or outside mentor?

How important are the UNC Supplemental Essays?

There are eight factors that UNC-Chapel Hill considers as “very important” and the essays are among them. In addition to the essays, UNC-Chapel Hill gives the greatest consideration to the rigor of one’s academic record, standardized test scores, recommendations, extracurricular activities, talent/ability, character/personal qualities, and state residency.

UNC-Chapel Hill Supplemental Essays – Want Personalized Essay Assistance?

Lastly, if you are interested in working with one of College Transitions’ experienced and knowledgeable essay coaches as you craft your UNC supplemental essays, we encourage you to get a quote today.

Need additional writing resources? Check out the following:

• Common App Essay Prompts
• 10 Instructive Common App Essay Examples
• College Application Essay Topics to Avoid
• How to Quickly Format Your Common App Essay
• Should I Complete Optional College Essays?
• How to Brainstorm a College Essay
• 25 Inspiring College Essay Topics
• “Why This College?” Essay Examples
• How to Write the Community Essay
• College Essay

Andrew Belasco

A licensed counselor and published researcher, Andrew's experience in the field of college admissions and transition spans two decades. He has previously served as a high school counselor, consultant and author for Kaplan Test Prep, and advisor to U.S. Congress, reporting on issues related to college admissions and financial aid.

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2 Strong UNC Chapel Hill Essay Examples

What’s covered:, essay example #1 – topic of interest, essay example #2 – change one thing about where you live.

• Where to Get Your UNC Chapel Hill Essays Edited

UNC Chapel Hill is the flagship institution of the University of North Carolina system and is often regarded as a “ Public Ivy ” because of its academic excellence. Not only that, UNC Chapel Hill has a spirited fan base that loves to support the Tar Heels, especially in basketball. 

In this post, we’ll go over two essays that real students submitted to UNC Chapel Hill, and we’ll discuss the strengths and some potential areas of improvement. (Names and identifying information have been changed, but all other details are preserved)

Please note: Looking at examples of real essays students have submitted to colleges can be very beneficial to get inspiration for your essays. You should never copy or plagiarize from these examples when writing your own essays. Colleges can tell when an essay isn’t genuine and will not view students favorably if they plagiarized.

Read our UNC Chapel Hill es say breakdown to get a comprehensive overview of this year’s supplemental prompts.

Prompt: Discuss an academic topic that you’re excited to explore and learn more about in college. Why does this topic interest you? Topics could be a specific course of study, research interests, or any other area related to your academic experience in college. (250 words)

Armed with pink playdough, I transformed my bedroom into a dimly lit laboratory. Every squish and mold orchestrated the crinkled folds into an organ capable of choreographing life. 

As I grew older, the brain’s complexity surpassed what I had explained to my stuffed-animals. Volunteering alongside OB/GYNs, I witnessed newborns’ painful prelude to existence with their fragile bodies scarred from incomplete neural tubing and spinal cysts. Between infancy and old age, the brain fades into memory loss. The severity of Alzheimer’s draped a cruel fog over events I organized in a senior home as residents kept forgetting where they were. Playdough was no longer enough to mend the brain’s crinkled folds. 

“Apples in a tree, cars in a garage,” a simple saying that bridges the natural world with genetic expression. When apple trees don’t bloom and adenine fails to bind with thymine, both landscapes and DNA become distorted. By examining the mechanisms of DNA damage through a neurobiological lens, I can develop targeted treatments focused on enzymes that untangle molecular threads in neurons. Learning to genetically map expecting mothers for fetal defects opens avenues for proactive interventions before NICU visits. As I experiment with CRISPR alongside Professor Dowen, I’ll be able to modify altered DNA sequences seen in Alzheimer’s. The intersection between genetic variation and neural pathways drives me to translate my knowledge into technology capable of diagnosing psychological illness from nerve activity. 

Using my pink playdough, I hope to construct genetic blueprints that build a brighter future amid neurological disorders. 

What the Essay Did Well

The student who wrote this essay is able to convey two critically important things: their passion for and knowledge of this topic. As a result, we get a complete picture of how captivated this student is with neurobiology, and how they will be an engaged neurobiology student on campus.

Their passion is conveyed right from the start. The introduction is short and sweet—just long enough to get the reader hooked, without wasting precious words on recounting their entire childhood. Thanks to the descriptive details of “ pink playdough ” and complex concepts “ explained to my stuffed animals ,” within the first three sentences we immediately understand the child-like fascination this student has had for neurobiology for most of their life.

Once the early spark of passion is established, they provide details on their extracurricular involvements related to this topic, to show how they furthered their interest. Although the prompt doesn’t specifically ask you to discuss your extracurriculars, in any college essay you want to use examples to illustrate your points.

For this student, their activities–working with an OBGYN and at a senior center–allow them to show how passionate they are about going into medicine. This strategy is far more effective than the student simply telling us “ I am fascinated by this topic .”

To further establish their interest in this field, and why their passion would make them a good addition to the UNC campus, the student displays their knowledge of the topic. Again, they don’t accomplish this by saying “ I’ve read countless books on this topic and have learned a lot about Alzheimers.”

Instead, this essay shows us they know what they are talking about by providing technical details like “ neural tubing and spinal cysts ,” “ adenine fails to bind with thymine ,” and “e nzymes that untangle molecular threads in neurons. ” Seamlessly including technical details, in a way that feels accessible even to people who don’t know much about this topic, conveys a sense of confidence in your knowledge and shows admissions officers you are prepared for college-level coursework.

Finally, although not explicitly asked for in the prompt, this student accomplishes one of the higher level goals of a “ Why Major ” essay and tells the reader what they hope to accomplish with their degree. (Note: this prompt is a little different from a typical “Why Major?” prompt, in that you have the freedom to write about a topic other than your intended major, but many of the same general principles apply.)

A forward-looking ending like this is always a smart move, as showing the admissions committee that you already have longer term dreams for how you’ll use your degree gives them confidence that you’re ready to take full advantage of the resources their school has to offer. Even better, this student alludes to a specific professor they want to work with to help make those dreams a reality, thus bringing UNC into the picture as an integral player for achieving their goals.

What Could Be Improved 

A 250 word limit is fairly restrictive, so we don’t want to nitpick too much, but one area that could have been expanded on in this essay is how the student hopes to engage with the UNC community. 

As mentioned above, they do tie their goals back to UNC by mentioning a professor, but the conclusion would have been even stronger if they went farther than just name dropping one professor. This could have been done in a few ways:

• Including one or two classes that are unique to UNC (so, not neurobiology 101) that they are excited to take, and a specific lesson or piece of information they hope to take away from their coursework.
• Mentioning a club or research lab on campus they hope to join and what they will learn/achieve through it.
• Elaborating on the professor’s research or lab they are involved with–that extra detail shows they’ve done their homework and didn’t just pick a random name.

While the details they include earlier on in the essay to prove their knowledge of neurobiology are certainly effective, they could afford to sacrifice one or two, to buy themselves some extra space at the end. Their point would still come across, and doing one of the things listed above would make an already excellent essay even better, by further building their case for why they need to attend UNC, specifically, to make their aspirations reality.

Prompt: If you could change one thing about where you live, what would it be and why? (200-250 words).

Sitting behind the loaded plates on our dinner table, I predicted my mom’s first question with 100% accuracy: “So, how did you do on the trigonometry test today?” Notorious for failing math classes, my brother paused from chewing his chicken wing. 

I knew he’d be in trouble. 

Indeed, after hearing his grade, my mom scolded: “Look at our neighbor’s kid; then look at you! She never gets anything below a 90!”

There it is again: “the neighbor’s kid,” a Chinese concept that I wish would serve a different purpose. Upon learning about their children’s unsatisfactory academic performance, Chinese parents often bring up a so-called perfect neighbor’s kid for comparison. It saddens me to see individuals raised under the shadow of “the neighbor’s kid” not able to simply enjoy exploring knowledge. They toil through years of schooling for good grades and a prestigious college’s acceptance letter at the cost of their mental well-being. Worse, some measure their self-worth by grades alone: my brother believes he’s not good enough, despite all his admirable traits outside of academics. 

Instead of “the neighbor’s kid who got a good grade” at the dinner table, I suggested my parents discuss “the neighbor’s kid who sells bracelets to raise money for charity”  or “who had a hot discussion with the teacher about whether animals have consciousness.” I look forward to a more vibrant and colorful dinner conversation, where families talk about their roses and thorns of the day, rather than a neighbor’s kid defined by numbers.

This essay does a great job of opening with a strong anecdote and seamlessly transitioning the anecdote into an answer to the prompt. The reader feels the suspense of sitting at the dinner table with the student and their family waiting for the response to their mom’s question, and might even relate to hearing the student’s parents complain about their grade. It’s a simple and quick story, but everyone can find something in it they relate to, which makes the reader want to keep reading.

The essay was also successful at transitioning from a personal anecdote to a broader topic that addresses the prompt. The anecdote is connected to the larger issue the student has with their home environment and provides context for their reasoning that growing up surrounded by this mentality is harmful. The use of the anecdote bolsters the entire essay by perfectly setting up the student’s response to the prompt, rather than being an out-of-place inclusion to add some empathy or imagery, which is a common mistake with anecdotes.

Another positive aspect of this essay is how the student’s passion for the issue shines through. The reader learns a good deal about the student’s family life and familiarity with the “the neighbor’s kid.” The student’s sadness and disapproval at not being able to enjoy learning because the immense amount of stress their parents place on them to get good grades is evident when they say, “ They toil through years of schooling for good grades and a prestigious college’s acceptance letter at the cost of their mental well-being.”

The inclusion of the student’s brother also shows how close this issue is to the student’s heart, because they are watching stereotypes harm someone they love. The details and direct language included provide strong evidence for why the student wants to change this aspect of where they live, which is the most important part of the prompt to address.

What Could Be Improved

For the most part, this is a great essay. The one thing that could be improved is the last paragraph that explains what the student wants to change. As far as the reader knows, the suggestions the student makes to discuss “the neighbor’s kid who sells bracelets” or “the neighbor’s kid who had a hot discussion with the teacher” are random topics the student chose to contrast with the idea of valuing a kid for a numerical grade. Since these appear as random topics, it distracts from other qualities the student and their brother might possess and want to showcase to their parents.

In an essay that is focused on changing the norm of equating worth with a grade, it would reveal more about what the student wants to be recognized for if they mentioned topics of conversation that related back to their interests. For example, if the student liked to ice skate and play the trumpet they could say:

“Instead of the dreaded question about my grades, my parents would ask about how my axel is coming along or what new song I’m considering for the winter concert.”

An ending more like this, that discusses the student’s interests rather than randomly mentioning other students, still achieves the same goal of the student not wanting to solely be measured by a number, but conveys the idea while also providing more insight into the student and what they value.

Where to Get Your UNC Chapel Hill  Essays Edited

Do you want feedback on your UNC Chapel Hill essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools. Find the right advisor for you to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

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The Admissions Strategist

How to write the unc-chapel hill essays 2020-2021: the tarheel guide (with examples).

Did you know that the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was the first public university in the country in 1789?

Now, ranked #5 in Top Public Schools by U.S. News and World Report, UNC-Chapel Hill has a 26% acceptance rate.

On top of a stellar application, well-written supplemental essays are essential to be a part of that narrow 26%.

UNC-Chapel Hill Supplemental Essay Requirements

When you complete the Common Application , you’ll choose one essay prompt to complete.

There are still two supplemental essays to write, for UNC-Chapel Hill specifically, before your application is considered complete.

• On the UNC-Chapel Hill website, the admissions staff states that they hope to learn “what being a member of such a community would mean to you.”

UNC-Chapel Hill uses the few hundred words you write in these supplemental essays to select students for admission, and also to select first-year students for merit scholarships and other opportunities. It’s important that you take the time to make every word count.

Click above to watch a video on UNC-Chapel Hill’s Supplemental Essays.

UNC-Chapel Hill provides three prompts to choose from for your supplement essays.

You will choose two to complete and submit with the rest of your application. Each of the essays must be 200-250 words.

Here are your three options:

• “Expand on an aspect of your identity – for example, your religion, culture, race, sexual or gender identity, affinity group, etc. How has this aspect of your identity shaped your life experiences thus far?”
• “If you could change one thing about where you live, what would it be and why?”
• “Describe someone who you see as a community builder. What actions has that person taken? How has their work made a difference in your life?”

UNC Supplemental Essay 1: Your Identity

Expand on an aspect of your identity – for example, your religion, culture, race, sexual or gender identity, affinity group, etc. How has this aspect of your identity shaped your life experiences thus far?

This prompt shows that UNC-Chapel Hill cares about what’s not going to show up on a piece of paper. They know that you’re so much more than what your application is going to tell them, and your personal identity is a large part of this.

It’s important to note that if you are not comfortable sharing this personal information, you do not have to. You can always choose the other two prompts and leave this one behind.

However, if you are comfortable sharing, there is something special about a person’s identity. Answering this question will show UNC-Chapel Hill a new side of who you are.

It will show them what shapes and forms you, as well as how you will add to the diverse community on their campus.

You may have listed your race, ethnicity, and/or gender on your application, but that doesn’t show the admissions team how this piece of you has affected your life and turned you into who you are today.

To start this essay, choose the piece of your essay that has most prominently affected who you’ve grown up to be.

You can write about more than one of these aspects if you would like to, but with only 200-250 words available, it may be smart to just choose one.

After sharing your religion, race, culture, gender, sexual orientation, or affinity group, it’s time to write about how it has shaped your life so far.

We recommend sharing only a few sentences on the personal aspect of your choosing, and saving the rest of your word count for how it has affected your life.

After all, this is what UNC – Chapel Hill is looking for. If they only wanted to know who you were, they would have just gone off the bubbles you filled in on your application. However, they want to gain a deeper understanding of who you are.

• Maybe you moved to a new country as an older child, and had to learn about and live in an entirely new culture. What have you held onto from the culture you were born into, and how have these qualities affected who you’ve become (even in a new country)?
• Do you identify with a non-binary gender? How has your gender identity shaped who you’ve become? Has it made you more independent as you stand up for who you are to those around you?
• Do you follow a religion that not many of your local peers believe in? What aspects of your religion have made you who you are today?

No matter what you choose to write about, make sure it’s a significant part of who you are. Take this opportunity to show UNC-Chapel Hill that your identity is so much more than a label, and that you will be an excellent addition to their wonderfully diverse and accepting college community.

Get personalized advice!

Unc supplemental essay 1 example.

Use this essay as a guide to writing this question. Never plagiarize. It’s a serious offense to copy someone else’s work.

I lived a happy childhood in Mexico. I clearly remember playing soccer in the streets with my neighborhood friends when my dad came outside and told me I needed to hurry in. I didn’t understand, but his tone was stern so I followed. That was the last time I’d ever play soccer in the streets of my small Mexican city. Violence had moved in, and our home was no longer safe. We abruptly moved to the United States to live with my aunts and cousins. I loved my aunt and cousins, but the change was hard. I had to learn a whole new language when I started school, and I missed my friends. I am thankful for my childhood in Mexico and for my family, because these parts of my life allowed me to keep my Mexican culture alive. I still live in the United States today, but I’m proud of where I came from. My culture provides a significant piece of my identity. To my culture, I owe my work ethic, my strong family ties, and my determination to build a better life for myself in the future. My culture will stay with me always, as I hold true to who I am and celebrate all of the things it’s given me so far.

UNC Supplemental Essay 2: Changing Where You Live

What do you hope will change about the place you live and why?

Whether you love or hate the place you currently live, this prompt can be intriguing. It is fairly vague and can be taken in a bunch of different directions.

At first glance, the question seems to be talking about your hometown. However, it literally says “where you live.” This could be about your physical house, your street, your city, your state, or even your country.

Keep in mind that you only have 200-250 words, so you want to make sure that the thing you’d change is extremely specific, even if you choose a large space such as your country or state.

After you choose what area you will write about, choose something you’d love to see change.

There are many ways in which an area can change. Consider choosing a difference that relates to your passions, concerns, or even your individual talents or skills. If you’ve done something to work on this issue already, be sure to include the steps you’ve taken so far.

• If you want to be a teacher after college and your elementary school lacks funding, wright about this issue and the negative effects it has had on your community. Let your passion for education and difference-making shine through.
• Maybe you’re a DACA recipient, and you’re feeling the stress of the country going back and forth on whether the program will be allowed to continue. Write about how DACA benefited your life, and how you plan to make your voice heard when it comes to keeping the program going for future generations.
• You may come from a large family living in a home that is much too small. Write about how this has affected your family and how affordable housing could make a difference in the lives of your family members as well as many others in your area.
• Maybe you love the place you live, but you know everything could be improved one way or another. Speak about how a beautification team could benefit the aesthetics of your town, bringing more families into an excellent city. Write about that vacant building across from the high school that could make an awesome youth center and the benefits that could come from its opening.

No matter what type of change you write about in this essay, remember to be creative and showcase your passions, concerns, talents, or skills, and if applicable, one of your past difference-making experiences.

When you take a vague, almost unrelated essay question and turn it into something that reflects who you truly are, UNC-Chapel Hill is sure to take notice.

UNC Supplemental Essay 2 Examples

In my hometown, houses are expensive. The minimum wage is just $7.25 per hour, and a mortgage on a medium-sized home in an average neighborhood starts at $250,000. I live with my parents and my 5 siblings. We share a 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom home. If I could, I’d change the home we live in by moving us to one that has adequate space for us all. However, I understand why my parents have been unable to move us out of our home. To allow families like ours to afford living in a safe, fitting home, the housing market has to change. I also understand that even though my home is small, it is a safe place to live and that is much more than other members of my community have. If more affordable housing was available, our homeless resident rate would drop instead of rise, and more children could be able to grow up in healthy, stable homes. More affordable housing, whether that be through government housing, significant minimum wage increases, or a drop in the value of new homes, is a necessity in my hometown. On some level, it affects every member of our community. Fixing this issue would lead to better lives for every person around me. No potential change could be better than that.

UNC Supplemental Essay 3: Describe a Community Builder

Describe someone who you see as a community builder. What actions has that person taken? How has their work made a difference in your life?

When it comes to college application essays, you are likely expecting to write about yourself. This prompt has a unique twist, as it is asking you to share all about someone else.

Stephen Farmer, the Vice Provost for Enrollment and Undergraduate Admissions, has said in an admissions blog for the university he “thinks some of the best essays have come from students writing about something or someone other than themselves.”

Since they believe some of the best essays are written about someone else, it’s pretty generous of UNC-Chapel Hill to offer a question like this.

This prompt takes them a step further in figuring out who you are exactly and why you’d make a good fit for the UNC-Chapel Hill community.

It shows that they truly aren’t trying to stump you. They’re trying to give you access to prompts that spark your desires and passions because those aspects of your identity are just as important as the grades you earned and the extracurricular activities you participated in.

While you are writing about someone other than yourself, make sure that the person indirectly displays your passions, interests, or skills. Even though this essay prompt is not about you, your application still is.

• Maybe your science teacher is a community builder in your life. Talk about the real-world experience he has in the field, and how he brings that to the classroom. Share a quick story that shows his dedication to helping every student grow. Add in a section at the end that states your passion for science and research would not be the same without his guidance and support.
• Your best friend who spends every evening after school tutoring younger students could be your community builder. Write about the passion she has to make a difference in the lives of younger students. Your choice in friends will show the admissions team that you associate yourself with others that are on the path to success, and therefore would fit in well with the UNC-Chapel Hill community.
• It might even be your mom who is a community builder. Maybe you see her up late at night searching for the perfect host family for next year’s foreign exchange student. She may have opened up your own home to many students in the past until she was able to find their ideal match. She cares deeply about diversity, belonging, and educational opportunities, in hopes to better the future of kids around the world.

This essay is meant to be about someone else, so make sure that you use the majority of your word count to describe your difference-maker. You can consider taking the last 2 or 3 sentences to share how they’ve made a difference in your life (allowing the admissions team to get to know you, your passions, and your beliefs.

• Talk about how your science teacher has included you in research projects and sparked your interest in finding a cure for M.S.
• Mention how volunteering for your best friend’s tutoring program has taught you about dedication and your real opportunity to make a tangible difference in the world around you (even though your passion is in medicine).
• Describe what you learned throughout your mom’s years working with Foreign Exchange students. Share how the relationships she has helped you build have given you a more worldly perspective, and how that perspective is going to shape your future.

You can share these monumental details in just a few sentences when you make every word count, ensuring that the essay’s main focus is still about the community builder, not yourself.

UNC Essay 3 Example

After graduating from MIT with a degree in Computer Science and Molecular Biology, Mr. Smith spent 10 years working in a well-known lab studying evolutionary genetics. Later, he got his Master’s of Education and became our new science teacher at Roosevelt High. From the start, I knew that Mr. Smith was different. He didn’t just come to class and teach us lessons from a textbook. He would find an issue, and tell us to solve it. He would create an imaginary virus, and make us cure it. He shared stories of his real-life experience working in a lab and taught us about the real differences that scientists make in our world today. Mr. Smith also cared more about his students than any teacher I’ve had before. He didn’t care about grades; he cared about the level on which we were learning. He didn’t want us to circle the right multiple choice answer, he wanted to see our brains transforming. Mr. Smith got to school early and invited us for extra study time. If we had an interest, he’d create a lesson to let us learn all about it. He started a club that allowed future science majors to participate in real-life research projects, similar to what we will experience in college. Mr. Smith changed my life, making me the future scientist that I am today. He allowed me to find my passion for changing the world around me, one scientific discovery at a time.

Conclusion: Writing the UNC-Chapel Hill Essays

As has been mentioned a few times, these supplemental prompts are important. Here are a few last-minute tips to help you write your very best essays:

• Don’t forget to proofread your work
• No matter what you’re writing about (someone else, a change to your community, etc.) make sure it reflects who you are. The prompts may be about topics other than yourself, but they are still being used to allow the admissions team to get to know you .
• After you’re done writing, go back through your piece and make sure every word counts. With only 200-250 words available, not even one should be wasted.

When you follow these tips, you’re sure to write an excellent supplemental essay for UNC-Chapel Hill. Follow the directions, show who you are, and let your passion shine through. Take what some call a challenge and turn it into an opportunity to show this college who you truly are. Your spot in that 26% is waiting for you.

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How to Write the UNC Supplemental Essays 2024–2025

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The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , also known as UNC or simply “Carolina,” is known as the nation’s first public university. These days, UNC has two Noble Laureate faculty members, an acceptance rate below 17% , and a #4 ranking among public US universities, according to the US News & World Report . Their accomplished alumni include James K. Polk, Michael Jordan, Thomas Wolfe, and Mia Hamm. Hoping to join their ranks? First, you’ll need to nail your UNC supplemental essays. Let’s dive in.

UNC’s 2023-2024 Prompts

UNC only requires two short essays. Both essays must be 200-250 words. See the prompts below.

UNC Short Essay Questions

Discuss one of your personal qualities and share a story, anecdote, or memory of how it helped you make a positive impact on a community. this could be your current community or another community you have engaged. (200-250 words), discuss an academic topic that you’re excited to explore and learn more about in college. why does this topic interest you topics could be a specific course of study, research interests, or any other area related to your academic experience in college. (200-250 words).

General Tips

A significant challenge many college applicants face when writing their essays is nuance. Many college essays tend toward black-and-white conclusions, make blanket statements, or switch unrealistically between negative and positive perspectives. However, this kind of writing sounds less mature and thoughtful to the admissions officer and is generally not reflective of real life. Thus, it’s important to compose a balanced, nuanced college essay. Here are a few tips to help you along in your drafting process:

Don’t feel compelled to end your essay with a lesson.

Many applicants feel that their essays must be summed up by a particular moral or lesson learned. However, college essays can simply conclude with a restatement/rewording of the essay’s overall thesis, which need not be moralistic. You can also end your essay on a light-hearted note that references an idea previously mentioned in the essay. Regardless, don’t feel pressure to squeeze in a moral or piece of wisdom at the essay’s closing unless such a line fits in naturally in your essay.

Avoid superlatives when possible.

Writing that something was the “most interesting idea in the world,” “the kindest thing anyone has ever said to me,” “the lowest point in my life,” can backfire in an essay. If this superlative phrasing is truly accurate to your experience, then it may be necessary in your essay. But if it is not, don’t use superlative phrasing. And think deeply about whether there is a softer way to communicate your idea, and whether the superlative is truly used appropriately in this particular instance. If you overuse superlatives or don’t provide enough evidence for why the superlative is being used, you risk giving the reader the impression that your essay’s claims are exaggerated in general.

Don’t exaggerate.

Following on that last point, avoid exaggerating in your college essays. Remember, just exaggerating is different from using hyperbole (also known as overstatement), which is an effective rhetorical device. Of course, you don’t want to overdo it on the hyperbole, either, and in order to be effective, it tends to require sparing usage.

Exaggerating even occasionally in your essay calls the rest of your essay into question. Thus, it’s advisable to represent events as accurately as you can. Blanket statements (meaning in this case, statements that apply to many categories of people, things, events, or concepts, particularly those unrelated to your unique individual experiences) should be avoided for the same reason.

This essay prompt shares similarities with some of the Common App essay prompts, but your response should be completely distinct from your Common App essay. Moreover, this essay should focus on your community impact. Whether you’re a part of the community you impacted or not, you should share with the reader what this community means to you. Sharing this information will help make your essay more compelling.

Ultimately, this essay is not about the community you impacted, but about who you are. The essay should revolve around “one of your personal qualities,” which could include a character trait, identity, talent, skill, or even a weakness you’ve turned around. Whatever personal quality you choose to highlight in this essay, name it specifically in the essay. Be careful to maintain a humble tone as you describe this quality. Then, share a single story about how this quality helped you impact a community. The prompt isn’t looking for a series of vignettes or varied anecdotes, but rather a single unified narrative.

In summary, focus on one community that is important to you, one personal quality that helped you impact this community, through one story that is portrayed humbly. Use specific, concrete details when possible while telling this story. Clarify when this impact occurred and what it means to you. Lastly, let your empathy shine through!

This is a pretty standard supplemental essay prompt asked by many other schools, so you may already have an essay written that you can repurpose here. Note that this prompt does not ask you about why you want to study this subject at UNC, but only about why you want to study it more generally. Although you need not bring up UNC at all in this essay, you absolutely can bring up why you want to study this subject specifically at UNC if you like.

You may not have a unique origin story behind this academic interest. That said, you likely have at least a few prior experiences with this topic that you can draw upon here. Have you always been excited by science class experiments, building an interest in chemistry over time? Have current events inspired your interest in artificial intelligence? What books have you read that have solidified your interest in the origins of democracy? Regardless of your topic of interest, describe at least one occasion when that interest was fostered, sparked, nurtured, or otherwise impacted. Then, share that experience with the reader, using specific details to illustrate your narrative(s).

If you need help polishing up your UNC supplemental essays, check out our College Essay Review service. You can receive detailed feedback from Ivy League consultants in as little as 24 hours.

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How to Write the UNC Supplemental Essays

Admissions officer reviewed by Ben Bousquet, M.Ed Former Vanderbilt University

Written by Alex McNeil, MA Admissions Consultant

Key Takeaway

Applying to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill? You’ll be writing two short supplemental essays and completing five fill-in-the-blank responses. In total, you’ll be writing up to 625 words—that’s about as long as your personal statement !

Let’s take a look at the prompts.

Short answer prompts

You’ll pick two out of the following four prompts to answer. Your responses should be 200-250 words long.

Describe an aspect of your identity and how this has shaped your life experiences or impacted your daily interactions with others?

If there’s an essential part of your identity that you think UNC admissions officers ought to know about, then this might be a good prompt to choose. It might be an identity related to your culture, gender, sexual orientation, race or ethnicity, or more. You’re free to choose any identity you hold deeply. Once you’ve explained your identity, focus in on answering the second part of the prompt. Use specific examples if appropriate, and don’t forget to reflect on the “so what”: why is it meaningful that your identity has shaped your experiences or interactions? What do you want an admissions officer to take away from your essay?

Describe a peer who is making a difference in your school or community. What actions has that peer taken? How has their work made a difference in your life?

Now this is an interesting prompt. One of the biggest college essay mistakes is writing an essay that focuses too much on someone other than yourself. This prompt is practically begging you to do just that! But you can write an excellent essay without making that mistake. The key is finding a balance between describing the peer you admire and using that admiration to reveal something vulnerable about yourself.

Let’s say that you really respect one of your peers who is standing up against your school’s dress code because it has a gender bias. You could spend your entire essay describing their actions in detail. That would make for an okay essay. But if you want to write an outstanding essay, you’d explain your peer’s actions and then reflect meaningfully on why they have inspired you: “I’ve learned to have the confidence to stand up for what I believe in, even when people in power disagree” or “I felt empowered and cared for by my peer’s actions. I hope to make someone else feel that way someday, too.”

If you could change one thing to better your community, what would it be? Please explain.

In this community essay , you have the opportunity to do double duty: you can draw back the curtain and give admissions officers a glimpse into where you come from, and you can show your community care and problem-solving skills.

The community you focus on and the change you choose to implement will reveal a lot about your values. Remember that UNC admissions officers are looking for new students they want to invite to their community, so take a gander through UNC’s website, motto, and mission statement to find some areas where you align with UNC’s own principles.

Former UNC-Chapel Hill employee, community service member, and civil rights activist Esphur Foster once said “We are nothing without our history.” Her words are memorialized on the  Northside Neighborhood Freedom Fighters monument.  How does history shape who you are?

Your answer to this prompt could go in a lot of different directions. You could take an academic interest approach and respond in a way that shows your intellectual curiosity in history, politics, culture, art, etc. If you go that route, just be sure to still answer the question: how does history shape who you are?

You could also take your response in a more personal direction and write about your family history or a moment in history that has impacted you as an individual. The more specific, the better.

Fill-in-the-blank responses

Once you’ve got your two short essays down, you’ll have to answer all of the following five questions. You have up to 25 words for each of your responses.

The trick to short answer questions like these is fitting a lot of personality and information into very few words. You can mix up your tone through each of the questions to show a range of your personality.

As you’re deciding how to approach each fill-in-the-blank, I’d urge you to think about your application narrative . Is your narrative cohesive? What parts of you are best represented across your application? What parts are missing? Do you want to emphasize anything in particular? Do you want to be more vulnerable or show some humor?

• One family, friend, or school tradition I cherish:
• If I had an extra hour in every day, I would spend it:
• If I could travel anywhere, near or far, past, present or future, I would go:
• The last time I stepped outside my comfort zone, I:
• People who meet me are most likely to notice, and least likely to notice:

Assess your application and use the fill-in-the-blank questions to fill in any gaps and strike a balance across your narrative.

You’ve got a lot to write for UNC Chapel Hill, so you’ll want to take your time deciding which short answer prompt you want to answer. And as you think about your fill-in-the-blank questions, don’t be afraid to show some personality.

Remember to check out our supplemental essay guide for more tips on writing standout supplements.

Liked that? Try this next.

The Incredible Power of a Cohesive College Application

How to Write Supplemental Essays that Will Impress Admissions Officers

How to Write a Community Supplemental Essay (with Examples)

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Instructions for Graduate Applicants

Welcome graduate applicants! We are pleased that you are applying for admission to the UNC-Chapel Hill Graduate School. Admission to Graduate School academic programs is competitive and students are selected on the basis of their academic preparation, ability, and program fit. For some programs, an on-site pre-admissions interview may be required. Early contact with your program of interest can be helpful in preparing your application.

Please see the listing of program contact information and application deadlines.

International applicants have an additional application material requirement.

The Graduate School relies mainly on email to communicate with all applicants. Therefore, please include a current email address on your application and be sure to promptly respond to all correspondence.

Required Application Materials

Required materials for all applicants typically include:

• Graduate School online application »
• Application fee (non-refundable $95.00)
• One unofficial transcript from each university attended must be uploaded within the application. All unofficial transcripts must be uploaded to your application in order for your application to be reviewed. Please do not mail transcripts as part of your admission application; we only accept unofficial uploads for application evaluation. If you are offered admission, one official transcript for each university attended will be required prior to registration.
• The email addresses of three recommenders are required within the application for electronic submission.

Please see specific program listings for test score requirement information.

• Statement of purpose

Community Standards Questions

• Supplemental program information (any additional information or materials required by the program; must be uploaded within the application unless specified otherwise by your academic program.)

The starting point for writing statements of purpose and other application requirements should be applicant-generated. While the use of generative AI tools may be useful for structuring and editing writing, it should primarily be the voice of the applicant. Any use of AI must be cited clearly.

For International Applicants only:

• TOEFL or IELTS score (no more than 2 years old as of the date of application submission)

Minimum Graduate Admission Requirements

The minimum requirements are:

• a bachelor's degree (based on a four-year curriculum) completed before graduate study begins or its international equivalent with an accredited institution
• an average grade of B (cumulative GPA 3.0) or better

Along with these minimal requirements, admission decisions are based on a number of factors, including academic degrees and record, written statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, test scores, and relevant work and research experience. All admission recommendations are made by each individual program or department.

Application Process

Applications for admission to the UNC-Chapel Hill Graduate School are submitted via the online admission application . All required materials listed above should be submitted according to the instructions provided. Your application will not be reviewed until you have submitted your application and we have received your application fee. You must submit your application and payment by your program's specific deadline in order for your application to be reviewed. By submitting an application to UNC-Chapel Hill, you grant consent to university staff to obtain any additional or missing information as needed, including campus safety information.

Application Deadlines

Please be aware that each program has a specific application deadline . Most programs admit students for the fall semester only, however a few programs allow spring or summer session admissions. Please see the listing of graduate programs and their application deadlines for accepted terms of entry.

Each offer of admission is specific for the term stated in the admission letter. If you do not register for classes you must apply again in a subsequent semester; application materials that are submitted to this institution are kept on file for one year after the term for which you are applying. Contact your intended program for questions about deferrals of admission offers.

Completed applications and application fees (non-refundable) must be submitted before the program's application deadline. The application and payment portal close at 11:59pm Eastern Time on the posted deadline date.

Applications will not be accepted for review or consideration after the posted graduate program deadline has passed. International applicants should apply early to allow sufficient time for financial and visa document preparation. The Graduate School recommends that international applicants submit a complete application no later than November 26 .

Fellowship and Financial Aid Deadlines

Most of the financial support available to graduate students is based within individual programs. In addition, a limited amount of financial support is available from The Graduate School and is based upon nominations from individual programs. In order to allow sufficient time for your program to nominate you for Graduate School fellowships, we recommend that your application be submitted by December 10, 2024 .

If your program continues to accept applications after December 10, 2024 , you are still eligible for their program-based support. Contact your intended program for complete information about available graduate student financial support and relevant deadlines.

The University awards loans and Tuition Enhancement Grants to graduate students who qualify, based on information provided in the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form due March 1. For more information, please visit the Office of Scholarships and Student Aid .

Application Fees

A non-refundable $95.00 application fee is required for each program to which you apply.

Applicants can pay their application fee one of three ways:

• Credit/Debit card (Visa/MasterCard/Discover). For security purposes, the credit card address manually inserted during the final payment process must exactly match the credit card billing address for a successful transaction. If you initially receive a payment error when attempting to pay the application fee by credit card, we first suggest that you switch internet browsers and attempt the payment action again. Common error codes are -1724 (billing address incorrect) and -1777 (international applicants will encounter this general card failure and often require pre-authorization from card issuer). If you encounter subsequent payment errors when attempting to pay the application fee by credit card, please email [email protected] and include the error code you received with your payment attempt.
• Check or money order . Mail-in payments are restricted to a check (in U.S. funds) that contains the pre-printed electronic routing numbers or an international money order. All check or money order payments should be made payable to The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. If choosing to pay by check or money order, you will receive an email with further payment instructions, including the payment mailing address. Please ensure that any check or money order payment mailed to The Graduate School includes your full name as it appears on your application, your application ID number, and current contact information. Your application fee must be postmarked no later than your application deadline date or it will be returned. Applications that arrive without the required application fee will remain on file, unprocessed, pending receipt of the application fee. If someone is paying the application fee for you, please ensure they include your name, application ID number, and current contact information, as well.

Submit fee waiver requests and required documentation within your online admissions application. Please do not mail fee waiver documentation. We will review fee waiver requests only after you have submitted your application. We will send additional information, including status updates, via email. After you have submitted a fee waiver request, please allow several days for your request to be reviewed. If you submit an application with a request for a fee waiver near the application submission deadline for your program, your fee waiver request will not be reviewed until after the deadline. Please check with the academic program to which you are applying for more information on their timeline.

Transcripts

An unofficial transcript from any post-secondary education experience (including community colleges, summer sessions and extension programs) is required to be uploaded in the application. Each unofficial transcript must be complete (not select courses), include grades, be issued in the original language and be accompanied by certified English translations when applicable. You may upload unofficial transcripts before mid-year grades are posted. Applicants will be able to upload optional, updated unofficial transcripts from their current institution, if applicable, after submitting their application.

You should obtain a copy of your unofficial transcript (obtained from a student account) as “official” transcripts do not scan well. You should follow the instructions in the application for uploading unofficial transcripts, including:

• Scan multiple page transcripts into one file.
• Preview your uploaded transcript(s) to ensure legibility so that the processing of your application is not delayed. If you cannot read the file clearly, please try another scanner or different settings and upload again.

Study Abroad experiences that appear on your undergraduate institution transcript do not need to be listed separately on the application.

Transfer credit posted on the transcript from other institutions is not accepted in lieu of transcripts from the original institution attended.

The Graduate School does not accept and will not retain paper or electronic transcripts sent as part of your admissions application. Please do not request that electronic or paper transcripts be sent as part of your application; we only accept unofficial uploads for application evaluation.

If you are offered admission, one official transcript for each university attended is required prior to registration. Instructions for how to submit official transcripts will be included in the admission offer letter.

Transcripts will not be kept on file in The Graduate School for admitted students who did not accept their admission offer from a previous admissions cycle or who did not enroll at UNC-Chapel Hill.

A note on foreign degrees:

As part of the transcript submission process, degree credentials are also reviewed. Assessment of a foreign degree, including those conferred from institutions participating in the Bologna Accord, is based upon the characteristics of a national system of education, the type of institution attended, its accreditation and the level of studies completed. The following guidelines indicate the level of study expected of international applicants prior to graduate enrollment:

• British patterned education bachelor's degree with honours
• French patterned education degree of diplome requiring four years of post baccalauréat study
• Germany university Diplom preferred. Applicants with very strong academic records may be considered if they have completed the Staatsexamen, a bachelor's degree after a 13-year Abitur, or at least one year of full-time study beyond the Vorprfung, Zwischenprfung, Vordiplom, or any other bachelor's degree
• Other European countries: university degree requiring a minimum of four years of study
• Canada three-year bachelor's degree from Québec; four-year bachelor's degree from all other provinces
• Latin America university degree requiring a minimum of four years of study
• India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal bachelor's degree in engineering or medicine; master's degree in all other fields
• Philippines five-year bachelor's degree or four-year bachelor's degree plus one year of graduate work
• Other Asian countries: university degree requiring a minimum of four years of study

If you do not clearly meet the specific criteria above, you may be asked to provide a certified credit evaluation showing that you have earned the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree. If you only have a three-year degree or otherwise do not meet the educational requirements for graduate admission, you are welcome to consider other admission options available at UNC admissions .

Letters of Recommendation

Three current letters of recommendation from people qualified to evaluate your academic and professional qualifications are required. You should solicit recommendations from individuals who are familiar with your academic achievement and who can address your potential for success in this particular academic setting. If you have been out of school for a number of years and are unable to contact former professors, letters from other individuals who can address your achievement and potential will be accepted. We advise against using generic letters of recommendation such as those provided by campus career planning and placement offices. Please see the information and instructions specific to your intended program for more information.

The online application will prompt you to submit the names and email addresses for your three required recommenders.

Email invitations will be sent to recommenders once you select 'Save' in the online application. You can also update recommender information and send reminder emails to your recommenders within the online application.

Standardized Test Scores

UNC Graduate School Institution Code: #5816 (no department code)

We recommend that you plan to take any required exams no later than October to allow time for scores to arrive in time for consideration for fall admission.

Standardized test scores must be official and reported directly by the Educational Testing Service ( ETS ). They must be current and no more than five years old.

In order for a test score to be considered complete, applicants must provide a numeric score in all sections of the GRE.

Standardized test scores that are submitted to this institution are kept on file for one year after the term for which you are applying.

When you register for any tests, you should indicate the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Graduate School (institution # 5816 ) as a score recipient. If you did not specify the UNC-Chapel Hill Graduate School as a score recipient at the time of taking the test, you must promptly ask ETS to send your scores to us (institution # 5816 ). No departmental code is required.

GMAT scores should be sent to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: Kenan-Flagler Business School – Other Graduate Programs (code D40-HL-34), or Kenan-Flagler Business School – PhD Program (code D40-HL-50)

While self-reported scores are useful for informal evaluation, we cannot complete the final review or offer admission (when official test scores are required) until we have received the official report of your scores.

Please note: If you submitted your official test scores to UNC-CH with your application, expect a minimum of seven business days for your test scores to be matched to your application.

If you have taken, or plan to take, an official test more than one time and wish for additional scores to be available as part of your application review, you must request that each set of official scores be sent to the University. All valid, official test scores that have been sent to the University will be available as part of the application review process.

If you already hold, or are in the process of earning, a research or professional doctorate degree, you may be exempted from the standardized test score requirement. This waiver request must come to The Graduate School directly from the academic program to which you are applying. An unofficial transcript showing degree awarded, or degree in progress, will be required for final approval of this exemption by The Graduate School. Please contact your intended academic program to determine if they will support this exemption.

Average scores of applicants offered admission

International applicants must also submit official TOEFL or IELTS standardized test scores. We do not accept other English language proficiency tests.

Statement of Purpose

All graduate programs require a written statement to be uploaded within your application. The form and content requirements may vary by program. Please read the information and instructions specific to your intended program before applying. Your written statement is a critical component of your application for admission and can sometimes be the determining factor in approval of admittance or financial support. Therefore, your statement should reflect your professional goals, as well as familiarity with the program and faculty at UNC-Chapel Hill.

The starting point for writing statements of purpose should be applicant-generated. While the use of generative AI tools may be useful for structuring and editing writing, it should primarily be the voice of the applicant. Any use of AI must be cited clearly.

All graduate programs require a resume or CV to be uploaded within your application. Your resume/CV should provide information about your work and volunteer experiences, research, awards, recognitions and activities pertinent to your proposed program of study.

Applicants for admission will be asked several questions regarding criminal pleas, charges and convictions, academic and conduct-related suspensions from post-secondary educational institutions, and military discharges (i.e., the University’s “Community Standards Questions”). You must describe violations of law in your home country and in any other country in which you have resided and visited. The term “law” includes codes, legal rules and regulations, and other criminal-type statutes or violations of municipal, local, provincial, state, federal, national, commonwealth, and other governmental jurisdiction.

If additional information is needed, you may be asked to submit information for a criminal background check, including a nominal fee, and asked to provide additional information to the graduate program and Graduate School. Depending on the circumstances, affirmative disclosures by an applicant may also be concurrently reviewed by the Office of Dean of Students or the University’s Emergency Evaluation Action Committee , for a determination as to whether the applicant’s previous behavior could impact University community, property, or processes.

An affirmative response to a community standards question does not automatically preclude an applicant from being offered admission to, or enrollment in, a graduate program within The Graduate School. Rather, each response is reviewed holistically in conjunction with an assessment of the applicant’s overall candidacy and application for admission, including an assessment of their academic record, personal qualities and experiences, and integrity and character.

Failure to provide complete, accurate, and truthful information will be grounds to deny or withdraw your admission, or to dismiss you after enrollment. The same actions will occur if you fail to notify The Graduate School promptly in writing of such charges that occur at any time after you submit the application.

Application Status

Once we have received all required application materials and fees, the review and evaluation of your application will begin. You may monitor the status of your application checklist through the application website .

It is your responsibility to monitor your application for completeness by logging into your application and checking your application status. If your required, official test scores do not appear as received within two weeks of submitting your application, please email [email protected] .

You will be able to upload optional, updated unofficial transcripts from your current institution, if applicable, after submitting your application. Additionally, you may be asked to upload specific additional materials through your application status page after submission. The Graduate School cannot alter any application materials once your application is submitted. If you would like to send new information or updated documents to the academic program to which you applied, please contact the program directly .

For International Applicants only

Together with the instructions above, international applicants are also required to submit official TOEFL or IELTS scores as part of their application. The Graduate School understands it is difficult and sometimes confusing to apply to universities in another country, and we will assist you in clarifying requirements whenever possible.

TOEFL or IELTS Score

University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill Graduate Admissions Code ( FOR TOEFL ONLY ): #5816 (no department code)

We do not accept TOEFL MyBest, Duolingo, or any other English proficiency test scores.

All international applicants must submit acceptable, official TOEFL scores (reported directly to school code #5816 from ETS.org ) or IELTS scores (reported directly from IELTS.org , either by mail or electronically to The Graduate School). We do not accept TOEFL MyBest scores, Duolingo, or other English language proficiency tests.

Standardized test scores must be official and are reportable for a period of two years from the date of the exam. Exam results more than two years old cannot be considered.

When you register for any tests, you should indicate the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Graduate School as a score recipient. If you did not specify the UNC-Chapel Hill Graduate School as a score recipient at the time of taking the test, you must promptly ask to send your scores to us. While self-reported scores are useful for informal evaluation, the official report of your scores must arrive before final review and admission can be offered.

If you have taken, or plan to take, an official test more than one time and wish for additional scores to be available as part of your application review, you must request that each set of official scores be sent to the University. All valid, official test scores that have been sent to the University will be available as part of the application review process.

The required minimum total score on the exams are:

• The internet-based TOEFL exam = 90
• The IELTS exam = 7

Some programs may have their own minimal score requirements which are higher than those stated above, in which case these higher standards will be required.

Exceptions to the English Standardized exams are available for the three categories listed below:

• No additional documentation is needed to qualify for this category.
• To qualify for a waiver in this category, you must upload an unofficial transcript showing degree awarded or in progress, or a letter from your Registrar or Dean verifying your degree candidate status from that institution within the online admissions application. If you are offered admission, the official transcript must be received, or the English exam scores will be required to enroll.
• To qualify for a waiver in this category, you must submit an official verification from that university that English is the SOLE language of instruction along with your anticipated date of graduation. If the degree or an official verification is not received, the English exam scores will again be required.

Applicants in category 1 will automatically receive the exception. If you believe you qualify for a waiver of the English standardized exam under categories 2 or 3, you must indicate this request and upload the appropriate documentation within the online admissions application.

All newly admitted international students will be reviewed for their level of English proficiency prior to enrolling for classes. You will receive communications from the University regarding English language, writing, and speaking support services to support your transition to our campus.

Financial Certification

International applicants who are offered admission to a graduate program are required by United States federal regulations to certify that you have sufficient funds to pay for your expenses at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for the entire length of your studies. Every international applicant offered admission, including applicants who may receive teaching or research assistantships or other awards, must complete and upload the International Student Data Form and Financial Certification Instructions/Worksheet to their ConnectCarolina Student Center after being offered admission. The Office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) will send you information and instructions for completing and uploading these forms in order to document that you meet necessary financial requirements. ISSS will then send you the appropriate documents to use in obtaining or updating your visa once it has been determined that you have met the necessary financial requirements.

International applicants in need of financial aid may write to the Institute of International Education, 809 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY 10017, or review the IIE website .

The University's Office of Scholarships and Student Aid can only fund students who are U.S. citizens, nationals, permanent residents with I-151 or I-551 Alien Registration Receipt Cards, permanent residents of the Northern Mariana Islands and the Trust Territory or the Pacific Islands, and other non-citizens who have Arrival-Departure Records (I-94) showing "refugee" or "adjustment applicant" or official grant of asylum in the United States. Students who meet these requirements should apply for financial assistance before March 1.

For any additional questions, please contact our Admissions Office .

University of North Carolina (UNC) 2020-21 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Regular Decision: 

UNC 2020-21 Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements: 2 essays of 200-250 words each, 1 additional essay

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Community, Activity

In addition to the essay you provided with your Common Application, please choose two of the prompts below and respond to each in 200-250 words. Your essay responses below should be different from your common app essay response.

Carolina aspires to build a diverse and inclusive community. we believe that students can only achieve their best when they learn alongside students from different backgrounds. in reading your responses, we hope to learn what being a member of such a community would mean to you. , expand on an aspect of your identity (for example, your religion, culture, race, sexual or gender identity, affinity group, etc.). how has this aspect of your identity shaped your life experiences thus far.

UNC wants to accept students who will contribute to the diversity and inclusivity on campus. When considering an aspect of your identity to expand upon, we recommend choosing one that has had the biggest impact on the way you experience and interact with the world. Ideally, the unique aspect you select should come with a couple anecdotes. Maybe you want to write about your gender identity, and give admissions a glimpse into what it’s like to be a young trans person in 2020. Perhaps you embody #BlackGirlMagic and always take the opportunity to celebrate your heritage and community. Regardless of the part of your identity that you choose to address, be specific and use this opportunity to speak to admissions in your own authentic voice.

If you could change one thing about where you live, what would it be and why?  

Although you may be tempted to write the first thing that comes to mind (make it beachfront! free pizza Fridays! build a bowling alley!), admissions is looking for a serious response that addresses a current issue. The good news (if you want to see it that way?) is that there’s no shortage of contemporary issues for you to address here, so the key is to pick the problem that is closest to your heart. Maybe you’re incredibly passionate about the environment, and you would love to create a clean energy initiative in your town. Perhaps you want to zoom out and interpret “where you live” as your country as a whole: Do you envision living in a country with no child hunger? Don’t forget to answer the “why” part of the question as well, and bonus points if you can show admissions that you’re already taking steps to make this change happen in your community. Are you organizing peaceful protests in your small Midwestern town to raise awareness about the impending dangers of global warming? Do you use your social media platforms to inform your peers about youth homelessness? Remember that UNC is looking to accept passionate students who are informed and eager to be part of the solution.

Describe someone who you see as a community builder. What actions has that person taken? How has their work made a difference in your life?  

Who do you look up to and why? UNC wants to know about your idol and/or mentor in order to learn more about what’s important to you. So, start by thinking about the term “community builder.” Who comes to mind? Perhaps for you, it’s your aunt, who hosts cookouts every Sunday in the spring and summer to bring your extended family together to bond over grilled veggies and potato salad. What have these cookouts meant to you? Or, maybe you’ve never met the person you’d like to write about. Maybe you follow someone on Instagram who is constantly informing you (and their other followers) about issues impacting your community. Have these posts inspired you to call your state representatives to voice your frustrations and demand change? No matter who you choose, try not to spend too many words on their actions, and instead focus on how their work has made a difference in your life. It is you , after all, that UNC will be considering inviting to campus next fall.

We hope you’ll share with us the activities that you’ve found especially worthwhile. We also hope you won’t feel compelled to tell us everything you’ve ever done or, worse yet, to do things that mean little to you just because you think we want you to do them. We also hope you’ll remember—because we never forget—that low-profile pursuits can be just as meaningful as ones that draw more attention, and that fewer activities can be just as good as more, and sometimes even better. Although starting a new club, for example, can be a great experience and helpful to others, so can caring for siblings, parents, or grandparents, or working outside the home to put food on the table, or being a good and caring friend. We hope you won’t feel as though you have to do the former, especially if your doing so will keep you from doing the latter. For all these reasons, although we’re glad to receive complete résumés, we don’t require or encourage them. Instead, if you choose to submit something that goes beyond what you’re providing through your Common Application, we encourage you to keep it brief; focus less on including everything than on choosing and explaining the things that have meant the most to you; and upload it here.

Didn’t see this prompt on UNC’s application at first glance, did ya?! This long-winded prompt can be found in the “Activities” section of the Common App. As the prompt itself says, take this opportunity to elaborate on an activity, experience, or responsibility that is meaningful to you. You can write about the sense of family you found within your recreational basketball team, the friendship that grew from a tutoring gig, or the gift you were able to give your mom after weeks of flipping burgers at your local fast food joint. Whatever you choose to write about here, remember that admissions is looking for quality over quantity. Use this space to give admissions insight into what is important and poignant to you!

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Applications are now open!

December 17 – Application Deadline

All application materials must be submitted by the deadline!

Steps to Apply + –

1. Apply online.

2. Upload Unofficial Transcripts One unofficial transcript from each university attended must be uploaded within the application. All unofficial transcripts must be uploaded to your application by the application deadline in order for your application to be reviewed. Please do not mail transcripts as part of your admission application; we only accept unofficial uploads for application evaluation. If you are offered admission, one official transcript for each university attended will be required.

3.Check the status of your application Log-in to the application portal to check the status of your application. In addition, please check your email regularly for any important information.

Transcripts + –

One unofficial transcript from each university attended must be uploaded within the application. All unofficial transcripts must be uploaded to your application by the application deadline in order for your application to be reviewed. Please do not mail transcripts as part of your admission application; we only accept unofficial uploads for application evaluation. If you are offered admission, one official transcript for each university attended will be required.

UNC-CH requires official high school transcripts from students who are admitted to the BSN program. If you are selected for admission, additional details will be provided in your offer letter regarding submission of your high school transcript.

Essays + –

Essays are to be uploaded as your Personal Statement in the Documents section of the application. Because we don’t have the opportunity to meet or interview all of our applicants personally, we ask that you help us get to know you better through the required essays. Please read the questions carefully, and limit your responses to the lengths indicated.

For your essays, please create a single, double-spaced document, with a font size of 11 or higher, with a page break between each essay response. Please include your full legal name at the top of each page and number each essay or identify it with the corresponding question. Please limit your responses to a maximum of two pages per essay, or six pages total. Once you have uploaded your document, you will have the option to view or remove it. Please select PREVIEW to make sure you have uploaded the correct document. If you attempt to upload more than one document (i.e. save a separate document for each essay) only the last document uploaded will be saved.

Each essay question may contain multiple parts so be sure to address all components. Carefully check your essays for spelling and grammar. Your ability to communicate will be evident in your essays. By signing the statement at the end of application, you verify that the essays are your own and were written by you.

• Failure to adhere to the formatting guidelines may result in your application being considered incomplete.
• Failure to submit two to three distinct essays may result in your application being considered incomplete.

Essay Questions + –

• Why have you chosen to pursue a career in nursing and what are your professional goals? What are the skills and talents you possess that will contribute to your future work as a nurse? If you are a second degree student, also discuss why nursing is a better career choice at this time in your life.
• Describe a very difficult and/or rewarding experience you have had, and discuss how you dealt with it. Discuss in detail the way in which this particular experience impacted your life, and how it might influence your future practice as a nurse.
• In 2-3 sentences, please elaborate on what specifically attracts you to UNC Chapel Hill School of Nursing, the nation’s pioneering public university, and connect your personal values with our commitment to serving the public good and advancing health equity for all.

Foreign Language Fluency Definitions + –

We often receive questions about how we define foreign language fluency for the purposes of the application. Please see the guidelines below. Definitions are adapted from  American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages Proficiency Guidelines.

LOW FLUENCY Speakers at the Low level can communicate short messages on highly predictable, everyday topics that affect them directly. They do so primarily through the use of isolated words and phrases that have been encountered, memorized, and recalled. Low-level speakers may be difficult to understand even by the most sympathetic interlocutors accustomed to non-native speech.

MODERATE FLUENCY Speakers at the Moderate level are distinguished primarily by their ability to create with the language when talking about familiar topics related to their daily life. They are able to recombine learned material in order to express personal meaning. Moderate-level speakers can ask simple questions and can handle a straightforward survival situation. They produce sentence-level language, ranging from discrete sentences to strings of sentences, typically in present time. Moderate-level speakers are understood by interlocutors who are accustomed to dealing with non-native learners of the language.

HIGH FLUENCY Speakers at the High level engage in conversation in a clearly participatory manner in order to communicate information on autobiographical topics, as well as topics of community, national, or international interest. The topics are handled concretely by means of narration and description in the major times frames of past, present, and future. These speakers can also deal with a social situation with an unexpected complication. The language of High-level speakers is abundant, the oral paragraph being the measure of High-level length and discourse. High- level speakers have sufficient control of basic structures and generic vocabulary to be understood by native speakers of the language, including those unaccustomed to non-native speech.

Fall Coursework + –

If you are enrolled in fall semester courses, you have until January 15 th  to submit transcripts showing your final grades. We do not need two transcripts from the institution where you are taking fall courses, so please wait and submit your final transcript once all grades and/or degrees are posted.

International Applicants + –

English Language Proficiency If your country of origin is other than the United States and English is not the official language, you must submit test scores to demonstrate their English proficiency. The official report must be submitted to the Office of Student Affairs at UNC School of Nursing by the application deadline or you may upload it under “Test Score Report.” Contact the Office of Student Affairs for information regarding waiver eligibility. Minimum acceptable scores are as follows: TOEFL or TOEFL iBT Home Edition – 100 or higher TOEFL ITP Plus for China – 627 or higher IELTS or IELTS Indicator – 7.0 or higher

Foreign Coursework Applicants who have attended college outside of the United States must submit an official copy of an independently conducted verification of your academic credentials by an education evaluation service. The assessment must include a course-by-course evaluation showing credit hours and letter grade equivalency as well as US equivalency of all degrees earned.

Orientation and Matriculation + –

Mandatory all-day orientation sessions for incoming BSN students will be held on the two business days prior to the start of classes in mid-August.

Contact Admissions

[email protected] 919.966.4260

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Institutional and Professional Licensure Disclosures for Enrolled and Prospective Students

Institutional and Professional Licensure Disclosures for Enrolled and Prospective Students in one of UNC Chapel Hill’s nursing programs satisfy the professional and/or certification requirements in North Carolina and prepare students to sit for these exams. However, requirements in other states may be different. If you are considering a bachelor of science (BSN) in nursing program that may, would, or could potentially lead to a BSN professional license and/or certification, please note that at this time UNC may or may not be able to advise whether a program meets requirements outside of North Carolina.

This Disclosure is strictly limited to the University’s determination of whether its educational programs, if successfully completed, would be sufficient to meet the educational licensure or certification requirements. The University cannot provide verification of any individual’s ability to meet licensure or certification requirements unrelated to its educational programming, as individual states may change their requirements for licensure and certification.

Prior to enrolling in a BSN program, please make a  pre-professional advising appointment at the UNC Career Services Office  to discuss this important topic with your program of interest.

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We encourage you to start your application  to the UNC Kenan-Flagler Full-Time MBA Program today. It takes just a few minutes to get started.

Through our holistic admissions process, we’re seeking bright, motivated students who aspire to make an impact in the business world. Typically, students enter with an average of five years of work experience, but we encourage all competitive applicants to apply. There are also no prerequisite courses; however, you should have a working knowledge of financial accounting, statistics, economics, and calculus.

GMAT/GRE waivers are available for new applicants to the UNC Kenan-Flagler Full-Time MBA class of 2027. Learn more about the GMAT/GRE waiver.

We look forward to reviewing your application!

Planning to apply for next year's class? Sign up to be notified when the application for the Full-Time MBA Class of 2027 (fall 2025 start) becomes available. -->

2024-2025 application deadlines

Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on the application date. *Round 3 is the final deadline for international applicants. ** The Admissions Committee requires all applicants seeking a GMAT/GRE waiver to submit requests by the test waiver deadline for each round. Late submissions may be denied or moved to the next round.

Re-applicants

If you are re-applying to the program, we appreciate your continued interest in UNC Kenan-Flagler. We require a complete application, with new essay responses, recommenders and an updated resume. Your transcripts will rollover to the new application, as will your test scores, if they are still valid. In addition, we ask for a brief essay (100 words or less) that describes how your application differs from your previous submission and that alerts us to new test scores, a recent promotion, or other areas that demonstrate how you have strengthened your candidacy.

Application requirements & tips

To apply to the Full-Time MBA Program at UNC Kenan-Flagler, simply complete your application online . Setting up an account is the first step to applying and it takes just a few minutes. You’ll be able to take a peek at the information you’ll need to provide, and you can return to work on your application at your convenience.

Our application is robust, but it’s not difficult. More importantly, it’s a great way for you to showcase your credentials, demonstrate your communications savvy, and tell us why you’re a good fit for UNC Kenan-Flagler! If you have additional questions about the application process, please visit our FAQ page for more information.

These are the items you’ll need to provide:

You’ll start by providing some basic personal information, including your contact information, citizenship, areas of interest and affiliations.

>>Tips from Admissions: The application road map

You’ll respond to two required essay questions and one optional question. Your responses should be concise, clear, and introspective as we’ll use them to learn more about you, your motivations, and your aspirations. Essay prompts for the 2023-24 application will be available by mid-August 2023. Please check back for this year's prompts then.-->

>> Tips from Admissions: 5 tips for writing a standout MBA application essay

Essay 1 is required. Your response should be no longer than 500 words and should address the following questions:

• What are your immediate career goals and how will you benefit from earning an MBA at Kenan-Flagler Business School?
• As the business world continues to evolve, circumstances can change and guide you in a different direction. Should your goals that you provided above not transpire, what other opportunities would you explore?

Essay 2 is required. Your response should be no longer than 500 words and should address the following question:

Reflect on a project or initiative you were involved in that had a significant positive impact on a community, organization, or individual. How did this experience shape your sense of responsibility as a future leader dedicated to making a difference in the world?

Essay 3 is optional. We encourage you to tell us more about who you are so we can get to know you as a person and potential member of the Carolina community. Use this essay to convey information that you may not have otherwise been able to in the application. Your response should be no longer than 200 words .

Optional topics:

• Personal or professional accomplishments
• Interests and passions
• Gaps in work experience or inconsistent academic performance
• Context for recommender selection
• A fun fact about yourself

Essay 4 is required only for previous applicants to any UNC MBA program format.  Your response should be no longer than 100 words and should address the following prompt:

If you are re-applying to the program, we appreciate your continued interest in UNC Kenan-Flagler. We require a complete application in addition to a brief essay that describes how your application differs from your previous submission and that alerts us to new test scores, a recent promotion, or other areas that demonstrate how you have strengthened your candidacy.

The Admissions Committee requires one professional letter of recommendation, preferably from a supervisor (past or present) or someone who can speak to your strengths at work. If you do not have full-time post-graduate work experience, we will accept one academic recommendation or one professional recommendation (from part-time or summer work experience).

>>Tips from Admissions: How to choose the right recommender

UNC Kenan-Flagler’s Full-Time MBA program utilizes the Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC) Common Letter of Recommendation. In your application, you will designate your recommender(s). An e-mail will be sent automatically to the recommender(s) with specific instructions and a link to the recommendation form.

We permit a 10-business day grace period past the deadline for recommendations to be received, but please note that this will delay the processing of your application.

Optional You may provide only one additional endorsement letter to support your application from a colleague, faculty member, UNC alumni, or current MBA student.

A brief professional overview of your educational, employment, and achievement history, most often condensed to a single page (and two pages at the most). Please include titles and dates, and provide the information in reverse chronological order.

>>Tips from Admissions: How to create a resume for your MBA application

Note: You don’t have to be currently employed to apply to UNC Kenan-Flagler. We seek candidates with a variety of experiences, backgrounds and career goals. The most important thing is to show us how you’ll contribute meaningfully to our collaborative and talented community – and help us understand your career vision.

Note: You don't have to be currently employed to apply to UNC Kenan-Flagler. We seek candidates with a variety of experiences, backgrounds and career goals. The most important thing is to show us how you’ll contribute meaningfully to our collaborative and talented community – and help us understand your career vision. -->

You will need to supply transcripts of all academic work you’ve completed at the baccalaureate/undergraduate and graduate levels. This includes:

• The institution(s) at which you were conferred a degree
• Institutions that are noted as transfer credit on any transcript
• Summer sessions or extension programs
• Any other institutions at which you took one or more courses

If you studied outside of the United States, you must have a college-level education equivalent to an American undergraduate or baccalaureate degree – the same as a first-university degree and, typically, is a four-year degree. If the original language of the academic record and diploma is not English, please submit a certified literal (not interpretive) English translation with the original document.

If you received a bachelor’s degree upon completion of a three-year undergraduate program, you are eligible to apply to our Full-Time MBA program. You will need to supply copies of your academic record and the diploma, degree certificate, or other documentation indicating the conferral date of your degree.

Our school codes are: GMAT: D40-HL-72 GRE: 5046 TOEFL, IELTS or PTE Academic: 5816

You can self-report unofficial test scores on your application and your official scores are not required until after you’re admitted to the program . As you complete your application, you can disregard the “ awaiting score report ” warnings that appear on your application Checklist. If admitted and enrolled, you must submit official test results before the first day study at UNC Kenan-Flagler .

We accept test scores from either in-person or online formats and do not have a preference for which exam you take (GRE, GMAT, IELTS, TOEFL or PTE Academic), but we consider each exam score as a whole and do not super score the highest section result of one exam with another taken on a different date. GMAT/GRE waivers are available for new applicants.

English language exam

You’ll need to provide an English-language test score from TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE Academic if English is not your native language, unless: (1) you’ve earned an undergraduate or graduate degree at a U.S. college or university or (2) your education was completed exclusively in English in an English-speaking country.

In some cases, we may request scores. If an English-language test score is required, you must self-report the scores in your application and request an official score report be sent to our office by the application deadline. 

Minimum TOEFL/ IELTS/PTE academic score requirement

GMAT/GRE waivers are available for new applicants to the UNC Kenan-Flagler Full-Time MBA program. You can access the GMAT/GRE waiver request form from within your application, and we encourage you to submit your waiver request early to allow for processing time. Creating an account takes only a few minutes, and you can continue to work on your application as we process your request.

The Admissions Committee requires all applicants seeking a GMAT/GRE waiver to submit requests by the test waiver deadline for each round. Late submissions may be denied or moved to the next round.

More information about the GMAT/GRE waiver process will be available when our new application opens later this summer. Sign up to receive a notification when our application for the Class of 2024 (fall 2022 start) is available. -->

Our holistic application process is built to ensure that you’re prepared for our rigorous Full-Time MBA program. While scores from standardized tests such as the GMAT or GRE are a beneficial way for our Admissions Committee to evaluate the likelihood of academic success in our Full-Time MBA program, we recognize that some candidates can build a strong case for admission based on but not limited to the following criteria :

• Applicants who graduated with a 3.2 GPA or above and coursework in STEM, business, economics or analytical fields from a U.S. institution
• Earned an advanced or terminal degree in JD, MD or a PhD or MS degree within a STEM, business or economics academic field
• 5+ years of professional experience in a quantitative or analytical field
• Hold a CFA or U.S. CPA professional certificate
• Strong test results from the Executive Assessment, PCAT or MCAT

Consortium applicants are eligible to apply directly through the Consortium if you received a test waiver from UNC Kenan-Flagler. Please see the information on the Consortium website as a guide to navigating the test score waiver process.

Important points to consider before requesting a GMAT/GRE waiver:

• Be objective about your strengths and weaknesses in order to put together the strongest application! Consider whether a test score may help supplement your academic achievements.
• Some employers use (or require) test scores during initial screenings, particularly in finance and consulting.
• Receiving a GMAT/GRE waiver does not guarantee admission to the program, and for some applicants, formal offers of admission may be based on the successful completion of Business Foundations prior to the start of the program.

Visit our FAQ page or email us at [email protected] for more information about the GMAT/GRE waiver process.

Select candidates will be invited to interview by the admissions committee after submitting a complete Full-Time MBA application.

Applicants who are invited to interview will be able to do so in-person or virtually. The admissions committee does not have an interview format preference.

>>Tips from Admissions: 7 tips to prepare for your MBA interview

Campus Visit Program , which is an excellent way to learn about UNC Kenan-Flagler and our MBA Program.--->

If you qualify for in-state residency for tuition purposes , you’ll answer some preliminary questions within your application. If residency classification cannot be confirmed based on the information you provide within your application, you’ll be prompted to submit an additional residency form. The application process for in-state residency is separate from the application for admission and all residency decisions, and appeals, are determined by the North Carolina Residency Determination Services (RDS), a government agency. Learn more about the residency application process .

The $150 nonrefundable application fee can be paid by credit card. You may qualify for an application fee waiver if you are:

• Currently serving in the U.S. military or are a U.S. military veteran
• An active participant in the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, or Teach for America
• Participating in Forté MBA Launch or Forté MBA Launch for Undergraduate Programs
• A Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT) Fellow
• An Access member or Access Fellow

Indicating your military experience or your participation in one of the qualifying programs within your application will activate the fee waiver, which will be applied after you submit your application. In some cases, supporting documentation may be requested. Refunds cannot be issued for application fees already paid.

Consortium applicants

UNC Kenan-Flagler is a proud member school of The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management . Each year, we enroll strong, active, and engaged students from the Consortium community.

• Early Application Deadline: October 15, 2024
• Round 2 Application Deadline: January 5, 2025

Consortium applicants are eligible to apply directly through the Consortium if you received a test waiver from UNC Kenan-Flagler. Please see the information on the Consortium website as a reference to navigating the test score waiver process.

Please note that the application process and deadlines for Consortium applicants differ from UNC Kenan-Flagler, and that we can not offer application fee waivers for candidates applying through The Consortium application. Should you apply through The Consortium, you will receive your decision based on the release date for the standard UNC Kenan-Flagler application process as noted above.

Learn more about our Consortium community at UNC Kenan-Flagler .

Q: Do I need to submit a separate UNC Kenan-Flagler application in addition to The Consortium’s application?

A: No. Simply submit your application through The Consortium and select UNC Kenan-Flagler as one of your six schools. After submitting your application, it may take several weeks to receive notification of receipt from UNC Kenan-Flagler. However, the date on which you submit our Consortium application is considered your official application date, so don’t worry if your confirmation of receipt from UNC Kenan-Flagler arrives after the application deadline. If you already have a UNC Kenan-Flagler account, or if you create one in the future, please use the same e-mail address as your Consortium application so we can quickly match you.

Q: Which deadlines do I follow: UNC Kenan-Flagler’s deadlines or The Consortium’s deadlines?

A: You should follow the requirements, application process, and deadlines outlined by The Consortium. The Consortium’s application instructions provide a list of required materials and outline the application process and deadlines.

Q: If I am applying through The Consortium, am I still eligible to apply for a GMAT/GRE waiver?

A: Yes, you can still request a waiver. Please see the information on the Consortium website as a reference to navigating the test score waiver process.

Q: How do I schedule my admissions interview at UNC Kenan-Flagler?

A: Consortium applicants follow the same interview process as non-Consortium applicants. As a Consortium applicant, you do not need to start a UNC Kenan-Flagler application as your Consortium application fulfills this requirement.

Q: What fellowship opportunities are available to me if I apply via The Consortium?

A: If you are offered admission to our program, you will be automatically considered for merit-based fellowships offered by UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School. We award merit-based fellowships based on the following criteria: a superior record of achievement in academic and career settings, diverse experiences, and strong leadership potential and interpersonal skills. These criteria are also used when we consider Consortium applicants for The Consortium tuition fellowship.

Q: When will I hear if I have received a fellowship?

A: You will be notified of your UNC Kenan-Flagler fellowship award at the same as you receive your admissions decision. The Consortium fellowship decisions will be issued directly by The Consortium in mid-March.

Q: How can I learn more about what it means to be a Consortium student at UNC Kenan-Flagler?

A: Visit our Consortium webpage to learn more about the Consortium community and meet members the current Full-Time MBA class. The Consortium is available to U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents of any race or ethnicity that demonstrate the mission of helping to enhance diversity and inclusion in global business education and leadership.

Enrollment deposit

Once you are admitted and decide to attend UNC Kenan-Flagler, there is a non-refundable enrollment deposit of $1,500 USD, regardless of which round you apply in. We encourage you to apply as early as possible to maximize your chances for admission.

Campus visits and interviews

We encourage you to take a look at our events calendar to register for an upcoming event or webinar to learn more about UNC Kenan-Flagler. We host a variety of events virtually and on-campus, and travel regularly to MBA fairs and partner events. We look forward to the opportunity to share more about our Full-Time MBA experience and ROI, and answer all of your questions! Campus Visit Program , which is a great chance to meet current students, sit in on a live class, and speak with a member of the admissions committee. Candidates also have two interview options: the Campus Open Interview Season and the Invitation-Only Interview Season.--->

I’m interested.

Complete the fields below and we’ll be in touch with more information about our Full-Time MBA program.  Fields marked with “*” are required.

• Application Requirements
• View Career Statistics
• Attend an Event
• Sign up for a Campus Visit
• Meet an MBA Ambassador

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UNC Requirements for Admission

What are UNC's admission requirements? While there are a lot of pieces that go into a college application, you should focus on only a few critical things:

• GPA requirements
• Testing requirements, including SAT and ACT requirements
• Application requirements

In this guide we'll cover what you need to get into UNC and build a strong application.

School location: Chapel Hill, NC

This school is also known as: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Carolina, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, UNC

Admissions Rate: 16.8%

If you want to get in, the first thing to look at is the acceptance rate. This tells you how competitive the school is and how serious their requirements are.

The acceptance rate at UNC is 16.8% . For every 100 applicants, only 17 are admitted.

This means the school is extremely selective . Meeting their GPA requirements and SAT/ACT requirements is very important to getting past their first round of filters and proving your academic preparation. If you don't meet their expectations, your chance of getting in is nearly zero.

After crossing this hurdle, you'll need to impress UNC application readers through their other application requirements, including extracurriculars, essays, and letters of recommendation. We'll cover more below.

We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies . We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools , from state colleges to the Ivy League.

We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools.

Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.

UNC GPA Requirements

Many schools specify a minimum GPA requirement, but this is often just the bare minimum to submit an application without immediately getting rejected.

The GPA requirement that really matters is the GPA you need for a real chance of getting in. For this, we look at the school's average GPA for its current students.

Average GPA: 4

The average GPA at UNC is 4 .

(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA.

With a GPA of 4, UNC requires you to be at the top of your class . You'll need nearly straight A's in all your classes to compete with other applicants. Furthermore, you should be taking hard classes - AP or IB courses - to show that college-level academics is a breeze.

If you're currently a junior or senior, your GPA is hard to change in time for college applications. If your GPA is at or below the school average of 4, you'll need a higher SAT or ACT score to compensate . This will help you compete effectively against other applicants who have higher GPAs than you.

SAT and ACT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for standardized testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them.

UNC hasn't explicitly named a policy on SAT/ACT requirements, but because it's published average SAT or ACT scores (we'll cover this next), it's likely test flexible. Typically, these schools say, "if you feel your SAT or ACT score represents you well as a student, submit them. Otherwise, don't."

Despite this policy, the truth is that most students still take the SAT or ACT, and most applicants to UNC will submit their scores. If you don't submit scores, you'll have one fewer dimension to show that you're worthy of being admitted, compared to other students. We therefore recommend that you consider taking the SAT or ACT, and doing well.

UNC SAT Requirements

Many schools say they have no SAT score cutoff, but the truth is that there is a hidden SAT requirement. This is based on the school's average score.

Average SAT: 1416

The average SAT score composite at UNC is a 1416 on the 1600 SAT scale.

This score makes UNC Strongly Competitive for SAT test scores.

UNC SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)

The 25th percentile SAT score is 1350, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1510. In other words, a 1350 on the SAT places you below average, while a 1510 will move you up to above average .

Here's the breakdown of SAT scores by section:

SAT Score Choice Policy

The Score Choice policy at your school is an important part of your testing strategy.

UNC has the Score Choice policy of "Highest Section."

This is also known as "superscoring." This means that you can choose which SAT tests you want to send to the school. Of all the scores they receive, your application readers will consider your highest section scores across all SAT test dates you submit .

Click below to learn more about how superscoring critically affects your test strategy.

For example, say you submit the following 3 test scores:

Even though the highest total you scored on any one test date was 1000, UNC will take your highest section score from all your test dates, then combine them to form your Superscore. You can raise your composite score from 1000 to 1400 in this example.

This is important for your testing strategy. Because you can choose which tests to send in, and UNC forms your Superscore, you can take the SAT as many times as you want, then submit only the tests that give you the highest Superscore. Your application readers will only see that one score.

Therefore, if your SAT superscore is currently below a 1510, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the SAT and retaking it . You have a very good chance of raising your score, which will significantly boost your chances of getting in.

Even better, because of the Superscore, you can focus all your energy on a single section at a time. If your Reading score is lower than your other sections, prep only for the Reading section, then take the SAT. Then focus on Math for the next test, and so on. This will give you the highest Superscore possible.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

UNC ACT Requirements

Just like for the SAT, UNC likely doesn't have a hard ACT cutoff, but if you score too low, your application will get tossed in the trash.

Average ACT: 30

The average ACT score at UNC is 30. This score makes UNC Strongly Competitive for ACT scores.

The 25th percentile ACT score is 28, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 33.

Even though UNC likely says they have no minimum ACT requirement, if you apply with a 28 or below, you'll have a very hard time getting in, unless you have something else very impressive in your application. There are so many applicants scoring 30 and above that a 28 will look academically weak.

ACT Score Sending Policy

If you're taking the ACT as opposed to the SAT, you have a huge advantage in how you send scores, and this dramatically affects your testing strategy.

Here it is: when you send ACT scores to colleges, you have absolute control over which tests you send. You could take 10 tests, and only send your highest one. This is unlike the SAT, where many schools require you to send all your tests ever taken.

This means that you have more chances than you think to improve your ACT score. To try to aim for the school's ACT requirement of 33 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can. When you have the final score that you're happy with, you can then send only that score to all your schools.

ACT Superscore Policy

By and large, most colleges do not superscore the ACT. (Superscore means that the school takes your best section scores from all the test dates you submit, and then combines them into the best possible composite score). Thus, most schools will just take your highest ACT score from a single sitting.

However, in our research, we found that UNC does in fact offer an ACT superscore policy . To quote their Admissions Office:

If you send us scores from multiple test dates, we’ll take your highest score for each section of the test and consider those scores as we evaluate your application.

Superscoring is powerful to your testing strategy, and you need to make sure you plan your testing accordingly. Of all the scores that UNC receives, your application readers will consider your highest section scores across all ACT test dates you submit .

For example, say you submit the following 4 test scores:

Even though the highest ACT composite you scored on any one test date was 20, UNC will take your highest section score from all your test dates, then combine them to form your Superscore. You can raise your composite score from 20 to 32 in this example.

This is important for your testing strategy. Because you can choose which tests to send in, and UNC forms your Superscore, you can take the ACT as many times as you want, then submit only the tests that give you the highest Superscore. Your application readers will only see that one score.

Therefore, if your ACT score is currently below a 33, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the ACT and retaking it . You have a very good chance of raising your score, which will significantly boost your chances of getting in.

Even better, because of the Superscore, you can focus all your energy on a single section at a time. If your Reading score is lower than your other sections, prep only for the Reading section, then take the ACT. Then focus on Math for the next test, and so on. This will give you the highest Superscore possible.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and ACT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

SAT/ACT Writing Section Requirements

Currently, only the ACT has an optional essay section that all students can take. The SAT used to also have an optional Essay section, but since June 2021, this has been discontinued unless you are taking the test as part of school-day testing in a few states. Because of this, no school requires the SAT Essay or ACT Writing section, but some schools do recommend certain students submit their results if they have them.

UNC considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration. You don't need to worry too much about Writing for this school, but other schools you're applying to may require it.

Final Admissions Verdict

Because this school is extremely selective, getting a high SAT/ACT score and GPA is vital to having a chance at getting in . If you don't pass their SAT/ACT and GPA requirements, they'll likely reject you without much consideration.

To have the best shot of getting in, you should aim for the 75th percentile, with a 1510 SAT or a 33 ACT . You should also have a 4 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score.

For a school as selective as UNC, you'll also need to impress them with the rest of your application. We'll cover those details next.

But if you apply with a score below a 1510 SAT or a 33 ACT, you unfortunately start out with the odds against you and have a tiny chance of getting in. There are just too many students with high SAT/ACT scores and strong applications, and you need to compete against them.

Admissions Calculator

Here's our custom admissions calculator. Plug in your numbers to see what your chances of getting in are. Pick your test: SAT ACT

• 80-100%: Safety school: Strong chance of getting in
• 50-80%: More likely than not getting in
• 20-50%: Lower but still good chance of getting in
• 5-20%: Reach school: Unlikely to get in, but still have a shot
• 0-5%: Hard reach school: Very difficult to get in

How would your chances improve with a better score?

Take your current SAT score and add 160 points (or take your ACT score and add 4 points) to the calculator above. See how much your chances improve?

At PrepScholar, we've created the leading online SAT/ACT prep program . We guarantee an improvement of 160 SAT points or 4 ACT points on your score, or your money back.

Here's a summary of why we're so much more effective than other prep programs:

• PrepScholar customizes your prep to your strengths and weaknesses . You don't waste time working on areas you already know, so you get more results in less time.
• We guide you through your program step-by-step so that you're never confused about what you should be studying. Focus all your time learning, not worrying about what to learn.
• Our team is made of national SAT/ACT experts . PrepScholar's founders are Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers . You'll be studying using the strategies that actually worked for them.
• We've gotten tremendous results with thousands of students across the country. Read about our score results and reviews from our happy customers .

There's a lot more to PrepScholar that makes it the best SAT/ACT prep program. Click to learn more about our program , or sign up for our 5-day free trial to check out PrepScholar for yourself:

Application Requirements

Every school requires an application with the bare essentials - high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information. Many schools, as explained above, also require SAT and ACT scores, as well as letters of recommendation, application essays, and interviews. We'll cover the exact requirements of UNC here.

Application Requirements Overview

• Common Application Accepted
• Electronic Application Available
• Essay or Personal Statement Required for all freshmen
• Letters of Recommendation 1
• Interview Not required
• Application Fee $85
• Fee Waiver Available? Available
• Other Notes Counselor's statement required for freshmen

Testing Requirements

• SAT or ACT Considered if submitted
• SAT Essay or ACT Writing Optional
• SAT Subject Tests
• Scores Due in Office January 31

Coursework Requirements

• Subject Required Years
• Foreign Language 2
• Social Studies 1
• Electives 1

Deadlines and Early Admissions

• Offered? Deadline Notification
• Yes January 15 March 31
• Yes October 15 January 31

Admissions Office Information

• Address: 153 Chapel Hill, NC 27599
• Phone: (919) 962-2211 x2211
• Fax: (919) 962-3045
• Email: [email protected]

Our Expert's Notes

We did more detailed research into this school's admissions process and found the following information:

UNC specifically invites students who feel they have a disability or condition which has affected their academic peformance to submit documentation as part of their application. Learn more about this option here.

Other Schools For You

If you're interested in UNC, you'll probably be interested in these schools as well. We've divided them into 3 categories depending on how hard they are to get into, relative to UNC.

Reach Schools: Harder to Get Into

These schools are have higher average SAT scores than UNC. If you improve your SAT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

Same Level: Equally Hard to Get Into

If you're competitive for UNC, these schools will offer you a similar chance of admission.

Safety Schools: Easier to Get Into

If you're currently competitive for UNC, you should have no problem getting into these schools. If UNC is currently out of your reach, you might already be competitive for these schools.

Data on this page is sourced from Peterson's Databases © 2023 (Peterson's LLC. All rights reserved.) as well as additional publicly available sources.

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Gen Eds: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

By Michael, a Peer Tutor

As a double major in physics and environmental science, my main stressors in a typical semester are a pair of STEM classes. Unfortunately, this makes the other classes, namely those required by the IDEAs in Action General Education Curriculum, all the more frustrating. I often think of a writing assignment in these courses as a quick and easy project to complete after my more pressing math homework. But then I am surprised when said essay requires a good deal more time and effort than I accounted for. However, for all the complaining I do about gen eds, my overall experience has been positive. As I reflect on my classes so far, I believe I have found some patterns that can help me get the most out of my remaining gen eds.

Of course, in some negative cases I simply blame the curriculum itself. I personally learned little to nothing in Thrive and Triple-I, and it was evident that the instructors were given very limited time to prepare. I am glad I chose to take Triple-I with a friend, as even though there were other sections that sounded more interesting, I only heard negative things about them. Having a friend made me want to show up for class and gave me someone to commiserate with when the lectures dragged on.

My main regret with gen eds is History 140: not the class itself, but rather my approach to it. I took it alongside Physics 118 and Calc 233, and those eight credit hours took most of my focus and energy. The history assignments were mostly essays based on books, which I would put off reading until the final day or two. This led to rushed, subpar writing, but also meant I didn’t retain as much from the class as I could have. I was intrigued by the perspectives the books gave on topical subjects such as the Iranian revolution and the displacement of Palestinians following the Six-Day War. Now, I wish I had more from the class to draw on when discussing current events with friends and family.

My two favorite gen eds have been Linguistics 101 and Anthropology 284. I took both because of friends who were enrolled, but also because the material interested me. The classes dove deep into topics I usually take for granted: speech, human interaction, and material consumption. These factors made me engage more readily with the lectures and assignments. I had a similar STEM dilemma as I did with history: during both classes (two separate semesters) I was also taking two physics classes. However, the assignments and readings were surprisingly accommodating. Instead of large assignments and books due only a few times a semester, linguistics had weekly readings and homework, and anthropology had a few pages of reading and short responses due each class. To my brain, this was a lot less daunting, and prevented me from procrastinating. I ended up enjoying these readings and assignments and used them as a break from more frustrating physics homework.

Although I frequently lament the quantity of “unnecessary” gen eds that I have to take as a STEM major—ones that don’t count for anything else—I now find myself wishing I had more time to learn about novel and important subjects, and I hope to make the most of my final opportunities. Taking classes with my friends will still factor into my decisions, but I plan to prioritize subjects that I find intriguing, so that I will better enjoy the lectures and homework. I also hope to find classes that aren’t graded by just a few things, but that have frequent small assignments that force me to engage on a regular basis. If not, I resolve to set weekly or daily deadlines for myself as a way of avoiding procrastination and making the work more manageable and enjoyable to my easily intimidated mind.

Join Us in Chapel Hill

Our Theory and Research master’s area of study admits once annually, to begin the program in the fall semester. Apply online via the UNC Graduate School website by our fall 2025 deadline of Jan. 14, 2025 .

From Application to Enrollment

An overview of the application and admissions process to join our program:

Admissions Criteria +

Admissions decisions are based on several criteria. One of the most important parts of the application is the statement of purpose and research interests. We encourage you to be as specific as possible in outlining your scholarly interests and career goals and their fit with our program and faculty. We also consider standard criteria like grade-point averages and letters of recommendation. GRE scores are not required.

Criteria for admission include:

• A recognized undergraduate degree
• Undergraduate grade-point average of “B” or better (3.0 GPA on 4.0 scale)
• For international applicants, a minimum score of 105 on the internet-based TOEFL exam or 7.5 on the IELTS exam ( exceptions apply )
• GPA and test-score standards treated as guides, and meeting these criteria is not a guarantee of admission.

Application Requirements +

Visit the  UNC Graduate School website  to apply online, selecting “ Master’s or Doctorate Degree ” as your application type and these selections on the Program of Study page:

• Major: Media and Communication
• Degree: Master of Arts
• Are you applying for a dual degree?: No for most students; yes for students seeking admission to our J.D./M.A. dual degree with the UNC School of Law
• Area of interest: Theory and Research
• Term of Entry: Fall

The following materials are required with your online application (due at the application deadline unless otherwise noted):

• Unofficial undergraduate transcripts
• Statement of purpose
• Three letters of recommendation , submitted by recommenders
• Writing sample(s)
• Application fee

An approximate timeline for the admissions process, subject to change:

• Email list open – Any time; join via the interest form below
• Application opens – Early August
• Online info sessions – September and November
• Application deadline – Jan. 14, 2025
• Faculty review of applications – January-February
• Video interviews with finalists – February
• Admission  decisions – February
• Virtual programming for admitted applicants – Late February/early March
• Deadline to accept offer of admission and submit $250 enrollment deposit* – Mid-April (or at least three weeks after the offer of admission)

*The non-refundable $250 enrollment deposit will be credited toward your first-semester tuition and fees. Failure to respond within stated timeframe may result in the withdrawal of the offer of admission.

After Admission +

Incoming graduate students attend orientation the week before classes begin. We’ll provide information about orientation and other onboarding during mid-summer.

FAQ (Opens in a new window)

Get started.

Begin your application today, or sign up to learn more at our next online info session.

Application (Opens in a new window) Info session (date TBD)

Don’t Miss a Thing

Complete this form, and we’ll notify you of upcoming info sessions and deadlines, along with other program updates.

Or contact the Graduate Studies team at [email protected] or (919) 843-8307 .

Catch up on tech updates on campus

While students were away for the summer, ITS improved security, expanded Wi-Fi and more.

Because fewer students are on campus, summer was an ideal time for Information Technology Services to undertake major work to improve campus systems and infrastructure:

Launched a new Help Portal

ITS  launched a new Help Portal  at  help.unc.edu to connect users with tech help, answers and services. New features include an “easy button” to submit a help ticket, an option to request support via email, web-searchable help articles and a fresh look. The new portal was part of a  larger change to a new customer support tool provider , TeamDynamix, from the previous provider, ServiceNow.

Lengthened Duo ‘remember me’ period

The Information Security Office  extended the default “remember me” period  for Duo 2-Step Verification from 12 hours to seven days. This extension means that most users will verify their identities less often when they log into systems that require Duo at UNC-Chapel Hill. This provides a more convenient — yet still secure — experience.

Celebrated milestones

In July, the Digital Accessibility Office celebrated five years of making UNC-Chapel Hill a more digitally inclusive campus. Since its creation in 2019, the office has made significant strides in policy, education and culture around digital accessibility at Carolina. Here’s a look back at the  origins and timeline of UNC’s Digital Accessibility Office and you can dive deeper with these  5 fun facts about the DAO .

On Aug. 1, the  Onyen marked 24 years of service as the name for consolidated logins at UNC. Fun fact — for many years, the Onyen services page greeted users with the “Cool Onyen” mascot.

Said goodbye to Sakai

On May 15, Sakai entered restricted access, and all Sakai sites were unpublished. Now, Sakai site access is limited to site owners, except for temporary access granted to students with incomplete grades. Sakai will remain in this restricted access state, allowing site owners to review and retrieve content until the system is decommissioned in 2026. This completes the transition to Canvas and streamlines the learning experience for instructors and students.

Increased security

This summer, the Information Security Office  wrapped up a major firewall migration project . The migration, which took four years, moved about 200 unprotected virtual local area networks to campus enterprise firewalls. Moving unprotected VLANs to campus enterprise firewalls helps prevent attacks and limits the scope of attacks across the University.

As of July 22,  Adobe apps at UNC-Chapel Hill require Duo 2-Step Verification at login . This requirement includes the standalone Adobe Acrobat Pro app, Adobe Creative Cloud apps and online services. Adobe apps at Carolina power creativity, learning and essential business processes. Students and instructional staff have free access to Adobe Creative Cloud and noninstructional staff pay a greatly reduced rate.

Expanded guest Wi-Fi

The  UNC-Guest Wi-Fi network is now available in every campus building . Previously, UNC-Guest was available in select locations, usually deployed at the request of a department. To prepare for the expansion of UNC-Guest, teams in ITS configured  changes to campus guest Wi-Fi networks . These changes, which strengthen the security of University resources, include limiting access to some University websites from the guest networks.

Introduced a new way to connect with tech

Want to keep up with all the latest tech news from ITS? You can now  subscribe to a monthly newsletter , ITS News Tech Connect. You can also  follow us on Instagram  to stay up to date with news from ITS, free tech tools and perks, announcements, events and opportunities for all Tar Heels. If text is more your speed, ITS is also on  Threads  and  X .

A donor gave the memento from the Hall of Famer’s time at Carolina’s Navy Pre-Flight School to the North Carolina Collection.

Students can connect through CAPS therapy groups

Counseling and Psychological Services team offers 24 options to help Tar Heels talk through specific issues.

A message from the chancellor: Remembering Dr. Zijie Yan

In a campus email, Lee H. Roberts shared mental health resources and detailed Carolina’s plans to honor the memory of Dr. Yan as the one-year anniversary of the campus shooting approaches.

University provides support for healing after trauma

Connect with mental health professionals and a community of care to help manage trauma’s lingering effects.

AI-enabled device revolutionizes pregnancy care

Handheld ultrasound allows novices to expertly estimate gestational age, a UNC School of Medicine study shows.

Five research teams receive Creativity Hubs grants

Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research awards will fund projects to improve health care and clean energy.

Ackland offers glasses for colorblind visitors

The art museum is the first in the state to provide a tool to help them see more hues.

Carolina remembers Zijie Yan, ‘master of light and matter’

Colleagues from the applied physical sciences department reflect on Yan’s legacy a year after his death.

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Beyond 1920: the legacies of woman suffrage.

Grand Rapids Americanization Society, c. 1924, from the collections of the National Museum of American History.

Courtesy of the Virginia State University Special Collections and Archives. Used with permission.

Part of a series of articles titled The 19th Amendment and Women's Access to the Vote Across America .

Previous: Commemorating Suffrage: Historic Sites and Women’s Right to Vote

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