What are UNC Chapel Hill's Admission Requirements?

Hi all! I'm really keen on applying to UNC Chapel Hill next year, but I'm a bit confused about their admission requirements. Can someone break it down for me or suggest the most important aspects I should focus on? Much appreciated!

Absolutely, happy to help clarify UNC Chapel Hill's admission requirements. As a holistic review institution, UNC Chapel Hill pays attention to different aspects, not just academics.

1. GPA: UNC Chapel Hill is one of the top public universities in the U.S., so you can expect a competitive applicant pool. Applicants typically have a strong unweighted high school GPA. Most successful applicants rank in the top 10% of their class.

2. Academic Rigor: It's not just the grades that matter but also the level of difficulty of your courses. Schools like UNC Chapel Hill will look at the rigor of your schedule. This includes how many Honors, AP, or IB courses you've taken in the context of what's available at your school.

3. Test Scores: For the 2024-2025 application cycle, UNC Chapel Hill is still test-optional, meaning SAT or ACT scores are not required, but you may submit them if you believe they will benefit your application.

4. Extracurricular Involvement: Admission officers also consider your involvement outside of the classroom. They want to see that you've been actively engaged in a variety of activities with depth in one or more areas.

5. Application Essay: The university requires you to write an essay as part of your application, which offers the opportunity to showcase your personality, interests, and values. UNC Chapel Hill uses the Common Application, so you'll write the main essay for that and also answer specific UNC Chapel Hill supplementary essays.

6. Letters of Recommendation: UNC Chapel Hill does not require or accept recommendation letters for undergraduate admission, except in rare cases.

7. Demonstrated Interest: UNC Chapel Hill does not formally track demonstrated interest, but attending information sessions or virtual events may indirectly help your application.

It's also important to note that UNC Chapel Hill, like many universities, takes into account your personal background and how you've taken advantage of the resources available to you. Good luck with your application!