University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

With distinguished alumni including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize recipients, and Rhodes Scholars, UNC-Chapel Hill has a robust academic reputation. Educators consider it to be among the best colleges in North Carolina.

The flagship of the state’s public university system, the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill is a research school with academic standards equal to Ivy League universities. UNC Chapel Hill’s academic prestige is reflected in the low UNC acceptance rate. The UNC acceptance rate is far below the national average. 

As one of the nation’s greatest public institutions, UNC traces its roots to the post-Revolutionary war era. It began accepting students in 1795. As such, it is one of the first colleges in the U.S. that offered students an opportunity for education.

University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill Overview

As is clear from its name, UNC is located in Chapel Hill. The town of Chapel Hill has a population of roughly 61,000 residents. Centrally located in North Carolina, it is part of the Chapel Hill-Raleigh-Durham metropolitan region, which has a population of more than 500,000 residents and is a growing center of technology and innovation.

The UNC-Chapel Hill campus covers 729 acres in the heart of the city. Home to the Tar Heels sports teams, it’s part of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Women’s soccer, men’s basketball, and women’s field hockey are among the Tar Heels’ most winning teams.

When you make it through that low UNC acceptance rate and receive your acceptance letter from UNC Chapel Hill admissions, you have the chance to follow in the footsteps of the nation’s top leaders. These include United States House Representatives, senators, governors, former U.S. President James H. Polk, and basketball legend Michael Jordan.

Don’t be phased by the strong academics and low UNC acceptance rate. CollegeAdvisor has all the information you need to know to successfully navigate the selective UNC Chapel Hill acceptance rate and join the ranks of UNC students in Chapel Hill.

UNC Acceptance Rate

Acceptance Rate 19%
Acceptance Deadline January 15

The UNC acceptance rate is far below the national average. In 2021, UNC-Chapel Hill admissions accepted approximately 19% of all applicants. The UNC acceptance rate for North Carolinians was 42% . For out-of-state students, it was just over 10%.

If you aspire to join other UNC students at Chapel Hill, you have about a one in five chance of acceptance. However, you’ll have much better odds if you are a resident of North Carolina. For this reason, we consider the UNC-Chapel Hill acceptance rate rather competitive. According to U.S. News, the UNC acceptance rate makes it a ‘most selective’ school. And compared to the national average of 70.1%, the UNC acceptance rate of 19% is low. 

The UNC application deadline for Early Decision is October 15. You will hear back by January 31. The regular UNC-Chapel Hill application deadline is January 15 for a decision by March 31. Unlike other schools, UNC-Chapel Hill admissions early acceptances are not binding. Although you will learn of your acceptance early, you simply have to commit by the standard deadline of May 1.

Like many other schools, UNC-Chapel Hill accepts the Common Application. If you prefer the Coalition App, UNC-Chapel Hill admissions accepts that UNC application, too.

The current UNC enrollment is nearly 2o,000. UNC-Chapel Hill is small by state university standards. For example, Texas A&M has an undergraduate enrollment of between 55,000 and 65,000. The small enrollment is one of the many reasons for the low UNC acceptance rate.

The UNC ranking on the U.S. News National College list is 28th. UNC also ranked in the top ten for Best Value Schools. In addition, the UNC ranking among the Best Colleges for Veterans is 10th.

UNC Admissions

Students accepted by UNC-Chapel Hill admissions had UNC SAT scores between 1350-1500. About half of incoming freshmen had UNC SAT scores between 1270 and 1470. If you have similar UNC SAT scores, you have a better chance of beating the low UNC-Chapel Hill acceptance rate.

Additionally, UNC-Chapel Hill admissions accepts ACT scores. Most successful candidates scored between 27 and 33 on the ACT. Consider submitting your ACT scores rather than SAT scores for UNC-Chapel Hill admissions if they compare better to the average. Given the low UNC acceptance rate, you want to show your academic abilities in the best light possible. 

There are no stated minimum UNC GPA requirements. However, UNC-Chapel Hill admissions does consider your GPA. Based on the high UNC SAT scores, and low UNC acceptance rate,, you should view the informal UNC GPA requirements as about a 4.0. Your UNC SAT scores and UNC GPA should reflect a high standing among your classmates. Similarly, meeting the assumed UNC GPA requirements with a 4.0 will show off your strong academic skills.

Once you have sent in your application to UNC-Chapel Hill admissions, it’s time to apply for financial aid. The deadline to submit a FAFSA for UNC-Chapel Hill financial aid is March 1.

University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill Cost

As a state university, UNC-Chapel Hill tuition is not as high as, for example, that of a private Ivy League college. Like other state-funded schools, though, UNC does have one UNC-Chapel Hill tuition and fee schedule for in-state residents and another for out-of-state students. This is primarily because state residents already pay taxes that help support the state’s public universities. This means their UNC-Chapel Hill tuition will be less.

For in-state students, the 2022-2034 annual UNC expenses include:

  • UNC Chapel Hill tuition: $7,020
  • Fees: $1,978
  • Housing (if applicable): $7,014
  • Meals: $5,240
  • Books: $1240
  • Travel: $840
  • Loan fees: $56
  • Personal expenses: $1,829

UNC-Chapel Hill tuition and fees for in-state students add up to $25,258 total for the school year. If you live and eat your meals at home while at UNC-Chapel Hill, you could save around $7,000 per year.

For out-of-state students, UNC-Chapel Hill tuition is considerably more. In fact, tuition and fees come in at $35,580 annually. Given the high UNC ranking, though, it’s still a bargain when compared to similarly ranked private schools. If you want to investigate the UNC-Chapel Hill tuition and fees further, use the UNC-Chapel Hill tuition and cost calculator. 

Although the cost is high, half of the students in their first year at UNC-Chapel Hill receive financial aid. About 42% of all undergrad students depend upon some form of financial assistance. The average amount UNC students receive in need-based grants and scholarships from UNC-Chapel Hill financial aid is $15,828, according to U.S. News.

Because of this financial aid structure, 60% of UNC students graduate without any federal loan debt. Besides need-based financial help, UNC-Chapel Hill offers several programs to help students afford college. UNC awards about 200 academic scholarships to exceptional incoming students each year. There are also special scholarships for science, creative writing, and music majors.

UNC participates in the Moorhead-Cain and Robertson scholarship programs, too. It also offers the Carolina Covenant aid program for students with extreme need. UNC-Chapel Hill Covenant scholars receive a full UNC-Chapel Hill financial aid package of grants and scholarships that do not have to be repaid. Although only incoming UNC students may apply, once awarded, the UNC-Chapel Hill financial aid Covenant scholarship is applicable for all four years.

Average Cost* $12,469
Average Total Aid Awarded $17,341
Students Receiving Financial Aid 39.47%
*Average cost after financial aid for students receiving grant or scholarship aid, as reported by the college.

Want personalized guidance from an advisor who's helped our clients get into University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill?

Schedule a free strategy consultation with our expert network.
Schedule Your Meeting.

University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill Academics

UNC Chapel Hill has a strong academic reputation. This attracts a high number of applicants, making for a competitive UNC acceptance rate.

One result of this low UNC acceptance rate is a UNC student-to-teacher ratio is 15:1. Almost half of all classes at UNC-Chapel Hill have fewer than 20 students, so you’ll get plenty of facetime with your professors. This makes it an attractive option to prospective students.

The most popular UNC-Chapel Hill majors include:

  • Social Sciences (15% of UNC students)
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences (10% of UNC students)
  • Communications, Journalism, and related majors (10% of UNC students)
  • Psychology (8% of UNC students)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (7% of UNC students)
  • Business, Management and Marketing (6% of UNC students)

During your freshman and sophomore years at UNC-Chapel Hill, you will complete your academic requirements in the UNC College of Arts and Sciences. Then, you can choose from more than 70 UNC-Chapel Hill majors and minors.

In your first year at UNC-Chapel Hill, you’ll experience First-Year Seminars and First-Year Launches. The Launch is a prerequisite for declaring UNC-Chapel Hill majors, and it aims to forge a connection between you and a faculty member in your prospective field. First-Year Seminars introduce you to college academics, faculty, and ways of thinking and evaluating knowledge. They help you build stronger relationships with your fellow UNC students and a wide array of UNC faculty.

Student Faculty Ratio 16:1

University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill Online

Online courses at UNC-Chapel Hill make it easier for busy students to attend college. Whether you are juggling a job and college classes or have family responsibilities that conflict with in-person studies, UNC online provides the flexibility you need to work toward completing UNC-Chapel Hill majors.

If you love your career but would like to move up, you can study with UNC online for UNC Masters and Doctoral programs. You can also take advantage of UNC online for your undergrad studies.

UNC offers a number of online degree programs for UNC-Chapel Hill majors. These include physical therapy, health leadership business, government, library science, journalism, and pharmacy, among others. UNC online graduate programs invite you to work on advanced UNC-Chapel Hill majors on your own schedule.

Undergraduate UNC programs online are available for UNC students worldwide in dozens of disciplines. From African Diaspora studies to Women’s and Gender studies, UNC online coursework caters to a broad range of interests. Online students are eligible for UNC-Chapel Hill financial aid, too.

UNC-Chapel Hill also offers certificate courses and boot camps focusing on specific career skills. These UNC online courses take less time to complete than a UNC degree program. In fact, a certificate course at UNC online might be just what you need to advance your career.

Offers Online Courses No

Our clients got into University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill last admissions cycle. Are you next?

Our advisors graduated from the nation’s best universities and know what it takes to stand out in the admissions process.
Schedule Your Strategy Consultation.

University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill Students

The UNC enrollment currently consists of 19,743 undergraduates who attend full-time. Graduate and professional UNC students number 11,796. The number of staff members at UNC is just over 9,000.

With nearly 54,000 high school seniors applying for UNC enrollment in the class of 2025, just under 5,000 were accepted by UNC Chapel Hill admissions. The enrollment rate of 8% is much lower than the UNC acceptance rate of 19%. Remember that the UNC acceptance rate is the proportion of those given an offer, not the proportion of those who enroll. This is why UNC acceptance rate is higher than UNC enrollment rate. 

Most were students with higher UNC SAT scores who meet or exceed the assumed UNC GPA requirements. Of the nearly 5,000 freshmen, 790 UNC students were the first in their families to go to college.

As of fall 2020, about one-fourth of all undergraduate UNC students lived on campus. About 60% of UNC enrollment are women and 40% are men. Most on-campus UNC housing is coed, but there are a handful of women’s dorms and men’s dorms at UNC. Frat and sorority housing makes up about 8% of UNC on-campus accommodations.

The nearly 350,000 UNC-Chapel Hill alumni live in all 50 states, Washington D.C., and 150 foreign countries. UNC-Chapel Hill has received the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award five out of six years from 2016 through 2021. 

The demographics for UNC students break down as follows:

  • White: 60%
  • Asian: 10%
  • African American/Black: 8%
  • Hispanic/Latino: 8%
  • Two or more races: 5%
  • Native Americans and Pacific Islanders: 0.4%
Full-Time Undergrad Enrollment 19,897

University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill Advisors

If you’re starting to wonder how to get into UNC-Chapel Hill, start doing research. Learn more about UNC-Chapel Hill from people who actually joined UNC enrollment, as well as those who beat the UNC acceptance rate and gain acceptance from UNC-Chapel Hill admissions but did not attend. You’ll find out lots of insider information about the real UNC admissions process, along with invaluable tips for getting into UNC despite the low UNC acceptance rate.

It’s clear from the UNC-Chapel Hill acceptance rate and UNC enrollment that this public college is selective. So, hopeful UNC applicants must be at the top of their game. Our UNC advisors are here to help.

Wondering how to get into UNC-Chapel Hill? Our UNC advisors can provide useful tips on writing UNC supplemental essays with a competitive edge. We also offer advice on completing your UNC application.

Additionally, get insight on how to navigate UNC enrollment once you’re in. Our experienced CollegeAdvisor experts offer insider information on navigating the UNC-Chapel Hill financial aid process. Tap into their advice at no cost by creating a CollegeAdvisor profile. Then, get the help you need to write UNC supplemental essays that garner notice given the low UNC-Chapel Hill acceptance rate.

Yolanda Keith
University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill

Yolanda, a seasoned college admissions officer with over 20 years of experience, is dedicated to guiding students on their academic journeys. As a former Associate Director of Admissions at UNC-Chapel Hill, Yolanda deeply understands the college application process from institutional and student perspectives. Yolanda has a proven track record of supporting first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented students in achieving their higher education goals. With her extensive experience working with diverse institutions nationwide, Yolanda can provide expert guidance on everything from creating a college list to the enrollment process. Her expertise in leading college access programs supporting first-generation students has equipped her with the skills to assist students in identifying colleges that align with their social needs, academic strengths, and career aspirations. Yolanda's approach is tailored to each student's unique needs. She offers comprehensive support, from brainstorming potential colleges to crafting compelling applications. With a caring and empathetic demeanor, Yolanda fosters a supportive environment that encourages students to dream big and explore all their options. Additionally, her expertise extends beyond the application process. She hosts workshops and webinars to educate students, parents, and high school counselors on the college admissions landscape. Her goals are to demystify the process, provide clear guidance, and reduce stress.

Public - Private - HBCU - HSI - Ivy - Regional

While assisting students is a passion of Yolanda's, she spends her free time teaching yoga🧘🏾‍♀️ and going to the beach! 🏖️

Tanya Menezes
University of California – Berkeley

As a recent first-generation graduate and regents scholar at UC Berkeley, I can still remember how nervous I was for my first college admissions cycle. In 2020, I joined Matriculate with the hope of improving this experience for others, eventually mentoring over 120 high school students while managing a cohort of 60 college advisors. Through CollegeAdvisor, I have learned even more about supporting students towards their dream schools, while advocating for increased transparency and equity in the college admissions system. From conversations with many college admissions offices, I understand that colleges are not searching for the perfect student, but rather one that is able to articulate their story. My role as an advisor is to help students build this narrative by embracing their unique perspective and experiences, which I promise every student has! My previous students have been admitted to a wide range of schools including highly selective institutions, such as Stanford, Yale, Georgetown, and UC Berkeley. Currently, I work as a Research Analyst for LAVCA based in New York, where I cover investment/development projects in Latin American markets. During my time at UC Berkeley, I had the opportunity to study abroad for nearly a year in Chile, which led to my current career as an analyst. In my free time, I love performing at open mics, trying new dance classes, and spending time with my cats. Please reach out if you have any questions about anything I've mentioned here or would like to know more about my advising background, I'm always happy to chat!

Also Accepted to

Andrew Brennen
Harvard

I attend Columbia Law School on a full-ride, merit scholarship, where my studies focus on civil rights, education policy, and non-profit law. Before law school, I worked in philanthropy as a grantmaker on issues related to public policy, youth organizing, and technology regulations and in communications as a consultant for political campaigns. I'm a National Geographic Education Fellow and Forbes 30 Under 30 Awardee for my education policy and advocacy work. I graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor's in Political Science. I was a Robertson Scholar at Chapel Hill, a full-ride scholarship that gave me access to UNC Chapel Hill and Duke University classes. I was also a Coca-Cola Scholar and a Kevan Flagler Assured Admit. In addition to the Robertson Scholarship, I was awarded full rides to three undergraduate institutions (UK, Davidson, Wake Forest) and partial scholarships to several others. During my undergraduate studies, I interned at a political consulting firm in Washington, DC, a management consulting firm in Atlanta, Georgia, and a local community development nonprofit in New Orleans. After undergrad, I pursued a Master's in Education Policy & Management from Harvard Graduate School of Education, where my research focused on student power in the K12 education system. In high school, I founded a nonprofit organization that advocated for more student voice in the K12 education system. I also competed in speech and debate, played soccer, and practiced the cello. During my junior year, I moved to Washington, D.C., for a semester to serve as a United States Senate Page. There, I attended class in the morning and worked on the Senate floor in the evening. Outside of academic and career interests, I love live music, hiking in the woods, and a relaxing spa day. When applying to college, the key is honing your narrative to stand out to admission officers from among the dozens of qualified applications they will review.

Also Accepted to

Davidson College Logo
Alex Garcia
Cornell University

Hello! My name is Alex Garcia, and I’m a rising junior at Cornell University studying business, government, science, and technology. I’m currently interning at KPMG in NYC and aiming for a career in consulting post-grad. At Cornell I strive to stay active by serving as a senior board member of an advocacy organization and regularly take part in a variety of other student clubs ranging from the student ambassadors to weightlifting groups. Outside of school, I work with a large-scale nonprofit to review grant applications and finances of organizations across North America. My college experiences build on my high school activities, where I was President of the largest student-run organization in Maryland’s most-populated school district, collaborated directly with politicians (local-national) on legislation impacting students, and much more. I’ve learned about the business world from unique perspectives and believe it’s inclusive across disciplines. With today’s competitive college and internship landscape, creative self-branding is crucial. As a Specialty Advisor for Business at CollegeAdvisor.Com, I’ll help with brand creation to align with your experiences and suggest ways to maximize high school opportunities to attract college and internship recruiters—a process I’ve recently navigated.

Side Notes: 1) I received the International Baccalaureate Diploma in HS, but also received the AP Scholar with Distinction Award - I would love to assist with course selection. | 2) I recently received the 2024 Hispanic Scholarship Fund Award - I am able to guide students through scholarship applications. | 3) A lot of my experiences involve politics - I have lots of insights into this field as well for college/career related matters

Thank you for your time.

Also Accepted to

Gaelyn Dent
Duke University

I graduated from Duke University with a Bachelor of Arts in Neuroscience with a Minor in Psychology. During my time in college, I worked as a resident assistant fostering community for first-year students and mentoring pre-med students. Since I graduated from Duke University in 2021, I have dedicated myself to promoting equity in college access for students from rural and underserved communities. For three years, I worked with Duke College Advising Corps in Sampson County with over three hundred students over their senior year to help them realize their post-secondary goals. I have also volunteered with the Duke Center for Girls & Women with ADHD for over a year. I am currently pursuing my dual master's in Social Work and Public Administration at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill to continue my work toward increasing access to healthcare and education for women with mental health concerns. I have worked with prospective students interested in being Pre-Med, Pre-Law, and studying Engineering, Computer Science, and Communication and Media Studies. College advising is an opportunity to foster independence, introspection, and growth within students. I will be with my students every step of the way, ensuring they understand their options and find joy in choosing their next steps forward!

Also Accepted to

Morgan Johnson Quamina
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Hi! My name is Morgan and I am a student at Massachusetts Institute of Technology studying Engineering, with interests in the built environment, climate change/adaptation, and computer science. I am from Brooklyn, NY and am a current Junior (class of 2026). I grew up with a low-income immigrant single mother from the Caribbean, and attended boarding school from 9th through 12th grade. I have done a lot since starting my degree, with many of my activities revolving around engineering, research, career exploration, leadership, and the college application process. For example, I have worked in two labs during my undergrad, one of which is focused on computer science, architecture, and engineering. I have worked there for 1.5 years. Currently, I am working in a UCL lab focusing on tsunami engineering and disaster prevention. Back at MIT, I am a part of MCG (MIT Consulting Group), a club that allows me to work on real consulting cases as an undergraduate student. I understand the difficulty of the college application process, as I went through it a few short years ago. In my cycle, I was able to receive acceptances from many prestigious universities, some of which being Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Brown, Duke, and many more. With that being said, I am a huge proprietor of open and honest communication; I am here as a resource to demystify the college application and help the student reach their fullest potential. In my free time, I like to read and try new cuisines. Hope to be in contact with you soon!

Also Accepted to

Hyeyun Jeong
Northwestern University

My journey to where I stand today, ready to mentor and inspire as an advisor at CollegeAdvisor.com, has been as unique as the students I aim to guide. Bringing my love for technology and a bit of entrepreneurial flair into the mix, I believe I can leverage my diverse background and perspective to help students navigate the challenging college application process. I, too, have once struggled with finding my true voice in essays, deciding on majors, and choosing the right school. Therefore, I am eager to lead the next generation of innovators to their perfect match school with empathy and insight.

Also Accepted to

Kavasia Heath
Wake Forest University

My experience in higher education is from working as an Assistant Dean of Admissions at Wake Forest University. I reviewed thousands of applications, served as a voting member on application review committees, and interviewed hundreds of applicants. I aided in the implementation of several systems to create an equitable review process to give all applicants a fair chance. While working in Undergraduate Admissions, I made it my mission to offer the best support to families and counselors while navigating the college application process. I educated families on the uniqueness of a liberal arts education and how the holistic nature of it can be beneficial. As a first-generation college graduate and woman of color, I provided extra support to students of underserved backgrounds to help them understand the college application process and help them on their journey. I now even mentor some of those enrolled students to this day! Higher education is something that I'm truly passionate about. I look forward to working with all families from all walks of life!

Also Accepted to

Joshua Ford

Joshua Ford attended UNC-Chapel Hill as a Morehead-Cain Scholar in the Honors Program. Upon graduating, he received a Fulbright scholarship to study entrepreneurship in Mexico. He spent several years as a management consultant before moving to startups. He previously worked for Candid and Uber before becoming the CEO & Founder of HipTrain. HipTrain was acquired by FORME which Joshua helped bring public on the NASDAQ exchange in April 2023. He now serves as the Global Head of Redesign Health.

College Testimonials from Clients Who Were Accepted to University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill

At CollegeAdvisor, we recruit admissions experts and experienced advisors who have first-hand experience that can help you get into the college of your choice. Currently, we work with over 300 advisors, including former admissions officers and even current UNC students and alumni.

Anyone can fill out a UNC application. However, only those with specific knowledge about UNC-Chapel Hill are best suited to help students overcome the UNC-Chapel Hill acceptance rate. Our UNC student testimonials provide personal insights about how to get into UNC. They also speak about what it is like to work with CollegeAdvisor Admissions Experts. 

Many of these students who successfully beat the UNC acceptance rate got answers to their questions about the UNC application and the UNC admissions process from our advisors. They learned about UNC GPA requirements and sought advice on how to put forth competitive UNC SAT scores. These now-UNC students also received advice on the best ways to approach their UNC supplemental essays. 

Be sure to create your CollegeAdvisor profile today. Then, make the most of your free access to insider knowledge on colleges, admissions, and how to get into UNC-Chapel Hill. It’s a challenge, but not impossible, to get accepted to a school with stats like the UNC-Chapel Hill acceptance rate. Use CollegeAdvisor’s expertise to your benefit when filling out your UNC application.

Navneet Raam
University of Michigan

Excellent service with over the top commitment to ensuring the student succeeds and reaches their goals. Couldn’t be happier with the process! Best investment of my life.

Lucas McKamey
Cornell University

Going into the college application process, I didn’t even know what CommonApp was, much less who I was or what characteristics I wanted to present to these mysterious arbiters of my next four years. My experience with CollegeAdvisor and, specifically, my mentor, Julia, has equipped me with the confidence, supportive guidance, and sense of identity to slay that application dragon once and for all. I’m confident whoever is found underneath Julia’s congenial tutelage will embrace a similar triumph over this fire-breathing devil.

Hiya Shah
Stanford University

Great!

Allison Guo
University of Michigan

My advisor made a genuine effort to get to know me, which made the essays that we worked on together stronger and much more authentic. Working with CollegeAdvisor helped build my confidence in my college applications!

University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill Related Essay Guides

Like many colleges with rankings similar to the UNC ranking, UNC-Chapel Hill requires you to submit supplemental materials. In addition to the essay questions on the Common Application or Coalition Application, UNC supplemental essays help UNC-Chapel Hill admissions officers learn more about who you are.

Given the low UNC-Chapel Hill acceptance rate, UNC supplemental essays can be pivotal in UNC-Chapel Hill admissions decisions. CollegeAdvisor offers plenty of information, advice, and exercises designed to help you write your best. For example, when brainstorming topics for your UNC supplemental essays, try these strategies to get your creative juices flowing.

When you’re ready to start writing, take advantage of our UNC Supplemental Essays Guide. It tells you the number of UNC supplemental essays as well as a breakdown of the actual questions. Strong UNC supplemental essays can help your UNC application stand out.

These essays can be even more important than UNC SAT scores and your cumulative GPA. They offer more information than the general essay prompts on your Common/Coalition app. The UNC supplemental essays cover topics specific to UNC-Chapel Hill. The essays you write for UNC are your chance to make a positive impression on UNC-Chapel Hill admissions, especially if you have a lower-than-average GPA or UNC SAT scores. So, we recommend that you get all the information, suggestions, and tips you can before sitting down to write.

You can even check out some of the supplemental essay pages for other schools that have similar rankings to the UNC rankings. This will help you form a clear, 360-degree view of the entire supplemental essay process.

community essay examples
Community Essay Examples

Community Essay Examples When crafting your college applications, writing strong essays is essential. Through your essays, you demonstrate who you are–from your values and passions to your lived experiences. Indeed […]

UNC Supplemental Essay Examples
UNC Supplemental Essay Examples

UNC Supplemental Essay Examples The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is one of the top public universities in the United States.  Many students wonder how to get into […]

unc supplemental essays
UNC Supplemental Essays 2024-2025

UNC Supplemental Essays 2024-25 UNC Supplemental Essays: Quick Facts How many essays does the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill require? This year there are only two UNC supplemental […]

University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill Related How to Get Into Guides

Armed with the above information, you already have a handle on how to get into UNC-Chapel Hill. Beyond the assumed UNC GPA requirements and minimum UNC SAT score, though, our experts can help you increase your UNC-Chapel Hill admissions odds.

Take advantage of our knowledge of how to get into UNC-Chapel Hill. Given the low UNC-Chapel Hill acceptance rate and highly competitive UNC-Chapel Hill admissions process, you should do all you can to increase your odds. You can strengthen your application with the insider advice of our 300+ experienced college admissions advisors.

Check out our “How to Get into UNC” Guide here, for additional tips on increasing your chances of a UNC admissions offer.

how to get into unc chapel hill; collegeadvisor.com image: text "how to get into unc chapel hill a collegeadvisor guide" over yellow-blue splash image of UNC campus
How to Get Into University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill (UNC) Guide

How to Get Into UNC – General Information The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, is a public institution that was founded in 1789. It was the first public university […]

Avatar photo

University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill Merit-Based Scholarships

morehead-cain scholarship
How to win the Morehead-Cain Scholarship

How to win the Morehead-Cain Scholarship Of the many merit-based scholarships across the country, the Morehead-Cain scholarship is one of the most prestigious. There are several UNC scholarships and financial […]

University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill Related Blog Posts

test optional schools
Applications Best Colleges
Exploring Test Optional Schools: Top 35 Colleges that Don’t Require SAT/ACT

Exploring Test Optional Schools Since the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been a significant increase in test optional colleges and universities. Where test optional schools used to be a small minority, […]

why major essay
Uncategorized
Crafting a Winning Why Major Essay

Crafting a “Why Major” Essay The why major essay is one of the most common types of essays found in the college application requirements. Why is it a favorite among […]

Avatar photo
Uncategorized
Best Undergraduate Business Schools

Best Undergraduate Business Schools If you’re interested in a career in business or one day earning an MBA, there’s no better place to prepare for a successful career than at […]

Avatar photo
top public universities
Best Colleges College List Juniors Seniors
Top Public Universities

Top Public Universities – Introduction America’s top public universities offer incredible research opportunities, all-star facilities, vast alumni networks, and more. They also offer lower tuition rates to in-state students, making […]

Avatar photo
best colleges for nursing
Best Colleges College List College Major Juniors Majors Medical College Seniors
Best Nursing Schools

Best Nursing Schools The best nursing schools are located across the country, from Pennsylvania to Texas. Each of the top nursing schools offers different educational pathways to nursing. As a […]

Avatar photo
best universities for psychology
Best Colleges College List College Major Juniors Parents Seniors
Best Universities for Psychology

Best Colleges for Psychology – Introduction If you already know you want to major in psychology, you’re probably wondering about the best psychology schools. As a prospective student, you may […]

Avatar photo
best pre med schools
Best Colleges College List College Major Juniors Medical College Seniors
Best Pre Med Schools

Best Pre Med Schools If you’re interested in a career in medicine, attending one of the best pre-med schools is a critical first step. By selecting one of the top […]

Avatar photo
best colleges in north carolina
Best Colleges College List
Best Colleges in North Carolina

Best Colleges in North Carolina – Introduction Looking for your dream school? You might turn to some of the best colleges in North Carolina. With its warm climate, beautiful beaches, […]

Avatar photo
best college towns
Best Colleges College List School Spotlight
Best College Towns – A CollegeAdvisor Guide

Looking for the best college towns? Explore dozens of colleges towns in our expert guide to best college towns in America by region!

Avatar photo

Since you are interested in attending UNC-Chapel Hill, you may also be interested in similar schools. These universities have rankings similar to UNC rankings, numbers similar to the UNC enrollment, and academic standards on par with UNC. Some of them have slightly different acceptance rates from the UNC acceptance rate:

  • North Carolina State University
  • Duke University
  • Harvard
  • Virginia Tech
  • University of Virginia

Harvard and Duke University admissions have more selective acceptance rates than the UNC-Chapel Hill acceptance rate. Only about 5-8% of applicants are successful. The University of Virginia accepts 24% of students who apply by the regular admissions deadline.

North Carolina State has an acceptance rate of 45%, which is higher than that of the UNC acceptance rate. Virginia Tech accepts about 70% of applicants. Even though these schools may be easier to get into than UNC, they share an A+ ranking with the other above colleges. This is very similar to the UNC acceptance rate.

In terms of UNC-Chapel Hill tuition, you’ll find that an Ivy League university like Harvard is significantly more costly. Duke’s costs and fees are also about twice the cost of UNC-Chapel Hill tuition and fees for a year.

Although rankings, location, and acceptance rates will impact your college list, keep your priorities in mind. Each school offers a unique academic focus, specific programs, and courses of study you may not find at any other college. Make sure you are a good fit for each of the colleges you ultimately apply to. Good luck!

Duke University Durham, North Carolina 6% Acceptance Rate
North Carolina State University Raleigh, North Carolina 47% Acceptance Rate
University of Virginia Charlottesville, Virginia 17% Acceptance Rate
Virginia Tech Blacksburg, Virginia 56% Acceptance Rate

University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill Campus Videos