UNC-Chapel Hill Out-of-State Acceptance Rate 2024
Interested in the UNC-Chapel Hill Out-of-State Acceptance Rate? Then this blog post is what you need to read.
Finding a college with an annual tuition figure only four digits long is rare, especially one offering elite undergraduate education and top-ranked academic programs at such an affordable cost. UNC-Chapel Hill stands out as one of the finest higher education bargains in the United States, particularly for North Carolina residents who often consider it a first-choice option. However, with its premier product at a bargain price, there’s inevitably a lengthy line of applicants vying for admission. UNC receives many applications annually, with an acceptance rate of 17%.
While being at the top of your class enhances your chances, gaining acceptance as a state resident is relatively easier than being an out-of-state or international student. Those aspiring to join UNC-Chapel Hill should fully understand of the admissions landscape ahead. This article aims to provide insights into various aspects, including:
- UNC-Chapel Hill’s acceptance rate
- UNC out-of-state acceptance rate
- UNC-Chapel Hill’s early action (EA) acceptance rate
- SAT scores and class rank of accepted applicants
- Admissions trends
- UNC-Chapel Hill’s applicant rating system
- Demographics of current undergraduates
- Percentage of accepted students attending UNC-Chapel Hill (yield rate)
- Tips for applying
- Approaching supplemental essays
- Assessing the value of applying considering the $85 application fee
Let’s delve into the latest admissions data to highlight these aspects.
UNC-Chapel Hill Acceptance Rate
Class of 2027 data is unavailable. The UNC Chapel Hill acceptance rate for the Class of 2026 was 16.8%. It is important to note that gaining acceptance to this university is far more difficult if you are not a North Carolina resident. In-state students make up 82% of the student body, and the state government has set a hard cap of 18% non-residents, so the school does not have an inch of wiggle room (more in a moment). There were 57,219 total applications received last year.
Historical UNC acceptance rates are as follows:
- Class of 2025: 19%
- Class of 2024: 24%
UNC Out-of State Acceptance Rate
Getting into UNC Chapel Hill as a North Carolina resident is far less challenging than doing so as a non-resident. Last year, the UNC out-of-state acceptance rate was 8% compared to an in-state rate of 43%.
UNC-Chapel Hill: Early Action Acceptance Rate
Applying early action to UNC-Chapel Hill may give applicants a quantifiable advantage. The EA deadline for this school is October 15th. EA applicants are typically accepted at higher rates than those in the regular decision (RD) round. However, it’s important to note that much of this difference may be attributed to special populations, such as recruited athletes applying in the Early round. In one recent year, the UNC-Chapel Hill Early Action acceptance rate was 13 points higher than the overall acceptance rate.
UNC-Chapel Hill Admissions – SAT and Class Rank
According to the most recent statistics (Class of 2026), the mid-50% SAT range for enrolled freshmen was 1360-1500. North Carolinians possessed scores in the 1340-1500 range, while out-of-state students sported a mid-50% range of 1400-1540. Among enrolled 2022-23 first-year students, an impressive 74% hailed from the top 10%, while 92% earned a place in the top 20%. Twelve percent of freshmen were either the valedictorian or salutatorian of their graduating cohort, with 42% ranking among the top ten students.
Admissions Trends & Notes
Here are some notable trends and statistics regarding admissions at UNC-Chapel Hill:
- Top 5 Majors: The top five majors among incoming students for the Class of 2026 were Biology, Business, Psychology & Neuroscience, Computer Science, and Political Science. This reflects the diverse academic interests of incoming students.
- Advanced Degree Pursuit: A significant majority, 80% of the Class of 2026, plans to pursue an advanced degree. This highlights the aspirations of UNC-Chapel Hill students for further academic and professional advancement beyond their undergraduate studies.
- Community Service Participation: A commendable 74% of the Class of 2026 participated in community service during high school, demonstrating a commitment to civic engagement and social responsibility among incoming students.
- First-Generation College Students: A noteworthy 18% of enrolling students for the Class of 2026 are first-generation college students. This underscores UNC-Chapel Hill’s commitment to promoting diversity and providing access to higher education for students from all backgrounds.
- Geographic Diversity: Students come from a wide range of backgrounds, with representatives from 98 different North Carolina counties. This reflects the university’s efforts to attract and enroll students from diverse geographic regions within the state.
- Test-Optional Policy: Lastly, it’s important to note that UNC-Chapel Hill will remain test-optional through Fall 2024. This policy provides flexibility for applicants, allowing them to choose whether or not to submit standardized test scores as part of their application, thereby ensuring equitable consideration for all prospective students.
How UNC-Chapel Hill Rates Applicants
UNC-Chapel Hill assesses applicants based on a comprehensive set of criteria, categorizing various factors into levels of importance:
Very Important Factors:
1. Rigor of high school course load
2. Essays
3. Test scores
4. Recommendation letters
5. Extracurricular activities
6. Talent/ability
7. Character/personal qualities
8. State residency (North Carolina residency confers a significant advantage)
Important Factors:
1. GPA
2. Class rank
3. Volunteer work
4. Paid work experience
Considered Factors:
1. First-generation status
2. Legacy status
3. Racial/ethnic status
The admissions staff meticulously evaluates each application, engaging in thorough discussions before extending offers. Rather than seeking an “ideal” student, they value each applicant’s unique qualities and talents. Common characteristics among favored applicants include intelligence, motivation, service orientation, curiosity, creativity, and courage.
It’s noteworthy that recruited athletes enjoy a substantial advantage in the admissions process, given UNC-Chapel Hill’s pride in its 28 NCAA Division I sports teams. Approximately 870 student-athletes are enrolled at the university, reflecting the institution’s commitment to athletics and academic excellence.
Who Gets Into UNC-Chapel Hill?
Analyzing the student body’s demographics provides insight into the geographic distribution of enrolled students. In a recent freshman class, the highest number of students originated from the following U.S. states:
1. North Carolina
2. Virginia
3. Florida
4. Georgia
5. New York
6. Maryland
7. Pennsylvania
8. Texas
9. California
10. South Carolina
Conversely, the fewest students hailed from the following U.S. states:
1. Vermont
2. Maine
3. New Mexico
4. Hawaii
5. North Dakota
6. Alaska
7. South Dakota
8. Iowa
9. Nebraska
10. Wyoming
Competition among non-residents is particularly fierce for applicants from states with large populations and high numbers of qualified candidates, such as the Northeast and the West Coast. Conversely, applicants from states in the Deep South, like Alabama or Mississippi, or from less-populated states like Wyoming or North Dakota may have a comparative advantage in the admissions process due to their location.
Demographic Breakdown of UNC-Chapel Hill Class of 2026
Ethnic Identity:
- Caucasian/White: 65%
- Asian American: 22%
- Hispanic: 10%
- African American: 10%
- American Indian: 1%
Gender Distribution:
- Men: 40%
- Women: 60%
Additional Statistics for the Class of 2025:
- Completed an internship in high school: 17%
- Participated in arts and music: 45%
- Demonstrated mastery on AP tests (by tests, not applicant): 85%
- Played varsity sports: 64%
Yield Rate and Application Tips for UNC-Chapel Hill
Yield Rate:
UNC-Chapel Hill boasts a yield rate of 45%, which indicates the percentage of accepted students who choose to enroll. This figure is comparable to that of other prestigious state universities such as the University of Michigan, UVA, and UCLA.
Tips for Applying:
If you’re considering joining the 57,000+ applicants vying for a spot at UNC-Chapel Hill, here are some essential tips to keep in mind:
1. No Interviews: UNC-Chapel Hill does not conduct interviews as part of their evaluation process, so focus on presenting your best self through your application materials.
2. Legacy Status: Having a parent who attended UNC-Chapel Hill can provide special consideration in the admissions process. Over 20% of undergraduates have a family legacy at the university.
3. No Demonstrated Interest: The university does not consider demonstrated interest, so you won’t be judged based on factors like campus visits or contacting admissions officers.
4. Supplemental Essays: Dedicate ample time and effort to the two short supplemental essays UNC-Chapel Hill requires. Choose from the three provided prompts and use them to showcase your personality, values, and aspirations.
Understanding these application tips and crafting a strong application can enhance your chances of success in securing admission to UNC-Chapel Hill.
Conclusion on UNC-Chapel Hill Out-of-State Acceptance Rate
The acceptance rate for out-of-state students at UNC-Chapel Hill is considerably lower than in-state applicants. With an acceptance rate of only 8% for non-residents versus 43% for North Carolina residents, gaining admission as an out-of-state student is significantly more competitive. The university’s commitment to maintaining a diverse student body while adhering to state residency quotas further underscores the challenges faced by non-resident applicants.
As such, out-of-state applicants should be well-prepared and demonstrate exceptional academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, and personal qualities to maximize their chances of acceptance to UNC-Chapel Hill.
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