The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. It is a member of the University of North Carolina System and the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). UNC Chapel Hill was founded in 1789 and is the oldest public university in the United States. In 2021, UNC Chapel Hill had an undergraduate enrollment of 29,463 and a graduate enrollment of 12,323. The university offers more than 70 undergraduate majors and 100 graduate degree programs.

UNC Chapel Hill is a highly selective university. For the fall 2021 admissions cycle, UNC Chapel Hill received 50,983 applications and admitted 12,928 students, for an overall acceptance rate of 25.4%. Of the admitted students, 4,820 were in-state students and 8,108 were out-of-state students. The in-state acceptance rate was 34.6%, and the out-of-state acceptance rate was 19.2%.
Factors that Affect the UNC Chapel Hill Instate Acceptance Rate
There are a number of factors that affect the UNC Chapel Hill instate acceptance rate, including:
- High School GPA: The average high school GPA of admitted students in the fall 2021 admissions cycle was 4.35.
- SAT/ACT Scores: The average SAT score of admitted students in the fall 2021 admissions cycle was 1340. The average ACT score of admitted students was 32.
- Class Rank: The majority of admitted students in the fall 2021 admissions cycle were in the top 10% of their high school class.
- Extracurricular Activities: UNC Chapel Hill considers a student’s extracurricular activities when making admissions decisions. Students who are involved in a variety of extracurricular activities, such as sports, clubs, and volunteer work, are more likely to be admitted.
- Essays: The essays that students submit as part of their applications are an important factor in the admissions process. Students should take their time writing their essays and make sure that they are well-written and articulate their thoughts and ideas clearly.
How to Increase Your Chances of Admission to UNC Chapel Hill
If you are interested in attending UNC Chapel Hill, there are a number of things you can do to increase your chances of admission:
- Take challenging courses: Take challenging courses in high school, including honors, AP, and IB courses. This will show UNC Chapel Hill that you are capable of handling the rigors of college coursework.
- Get good grades: Get good grades in all of your courses, but especially in your core academic courses. This will show UNC Chapel Hill that you are a serious student who is committed to your education.
- Score well on the SAT/ACT: Score well on the SAT or ACT. This will show UNC Chapel Hill that you have the academic skills needed to succeed in college.
- Get involved in extracurricular activities: Get involved in a variety of extracurricular activities that you are passionate about. This will show UNC Chapel Hill that you are a well-rounded individual who is involved in your community.
- Write strong essays: Write strong essays that articulate your thoughts and ideas clearly. This will show UNC Chapel Hill that you are a good communicator and that you have the potential to succeed in college.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
There are a number of common mistakes that students make when applying to UNC Chapel Hill. Avoid these mistakes to increase your chances of admission:
- Don’t apply too late: The deadline to apply to UNC Chapel Hill is November 1st. Apply early to give yourself the best chance of admission.
- Don’t submit a weak application: Make sure that your application is complete and error-free. Submit a strong application that showcases your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and essays.
- Don’t give up: The admissions process can be stressful, but don’t give up. If you are not admitted to UNC Chapel Hill, there are other great schools that you can attend.
Pros and Cons of Attending UNC Chapel Hill
There are many pros and cons to attending UNC Chapel Hill. Here are some of the pros:
- Strong academics: UNC Chapel Hill is a highly respected university with strong academic programs. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, and its faculty are world-renowned scholars.
- Beautiful campus: UNC Chapel Hill’s campus is beautiful and historic. The campus is located in the heart of Chapel Hill, and it is surrounded by trees, gardens, and fountains.
- Vibrant student life: UNC Chapel Hill has a vibrant student life. The university offers a wide range of student organizations, clubs, and activities. There is something for everyone at UNC Chapel Hill.
- Strong alumni network: UNC Chapel Hill has a strong alumni network. Graduates from UNC Chapel Hill go on to successful careers in a variety of fields. The alumni network can provide you with valuable support and networking opportunities.
Here are some of the cons:
- High cost: UNC Chapel Hill is a relatively expensive university. Tuition and fees for in-state students are $27,124 per year. Tuition and fees for out-of-state students are $47,210 per year.
- Large class sizes: UNC Chapel Hill is a large university, and class sizes can be large. This can make it difficult to get to know your professors and classmates.
- Competitive admissions: UNC Chapel Hill is a highly selective university. The acceptance rate is low, and the admissions process is competitive.
Conclusion
UNC Chapel Hill is a great university with a strong academic reputation, a beautiful campus, and a vibrant student life. However, the university is also expensive and competitive to get into. If you are considering applying to UNC Chapel Hill, it is important to weigh the pros and cons carefully.