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UNC Chapel Hill Admission Requirements

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

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Your chances of getting into University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

20.4%
Admission Difficulty for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Difficult 
Applicant Competition Very High 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at UNC Chapel Hill is 20.4%.  Its admission rate is the 4th lowest in North Carolina and the 67th lowest the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into UNC Chapel Hill and can you get accepted?

UNC Chapel Hill is a very highly competitive school to get into. You have a low chance of acceptance even if you meet the admission criteria. It's important that you meet their GPA requirements to get through the first round of consideration. Last year, only 10,348 out of the 50,729 who applied were admitted.

The school has difficult admission requirements, generally admitting students who can score in the top 36 percent on standardized admission tests. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.83. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 45% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into UNC Chapel Hill?

20% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.83 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1260 on the SAT
  • Score 24 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 10% of your high school class
  • Submit letters of recommendation from your teachers

UNC Chapel Hill GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.83*

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into UNC Chapel Hill are to have around a 3.83 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.

Meeting these GPA requirements alone is not enough for you to gain admission as UNC Chapel Hill is a very selective school.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at UNC Chapel Hill is 3.83 on the 4.0 scale. 93% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #3 in North Carolina for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since UNC Chapel Hill is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.8 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 93.0% Avg
3.75 to 3.99 3.0% Avg -
3.50 to 3.74 2.0% Reach
3.25 to 3.49 1.0% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 1.0% Low
2.50 to 2.99 0% Low
2.00 to 2.49 0% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

*This school has not published high school GPA data for its incoming freshman class. In these cases, CollegeSimply uses an algorithm to predict GPA based on this school's test scores and a large sample of college GPA data. 3.83 is a prediction of the school's average incoming freshman GPA.

Calculate My Chances 

UNC Chapel Hill SAT Scores

Test Optional

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. If you submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 2% of students submitted SAT scores and 12% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1140-1380

Applicants Submitting SAT 

2%
SAT Scores for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 570
Math 25th Percentile 570
Composite 25th Percentile 1140
SAT Scores for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 680
Math 75th Percentile 700
Composite 75th Percentile 1380
Average SAT Score 1260

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at UNC Chapel Hill is 1260 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1140-1380. Students who get into University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill score in the top 34 percent of all SAT test takers..  UNC Chapel Hill ranks #6 in the state of North Carolina and #207 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1260 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. UNC Chapel Hill regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1140 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1140, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1020, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "considered but not required".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1260 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1260, you have around a 20% chance of being admitted. A 1380 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 32% chance of getting in.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1380 and Above Good >32%
1260 to 1380 Avg + 20%-32%
1140 to 1260 Avg - 12%-20%
1020 to 1140 Reach 6%-12%
Less than 1020 Low <6%
Calculate My Chances 

UNC Chapel Hill ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

22-27 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

12%
ACT Scores for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 20
Math 25th Percentile 22
Composite 25th Percentile 22
ACT Scores for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 26
Math 75th Percentile 27
Composite 75th Percentile 27
Average ACT Score 24

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into UNC Chapel Hill?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to UNC Chapel Hill is 24, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 22 and 27.  The school ranks #13 in North Carolina for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 24. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 22 and score in the score in the top 37 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 20.

12 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "considered but not required".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into UNC Chapel Hill for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 24 score has around 20% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 35% with a 27 ACT score.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
27 and Above Good >35%
24 to 27 Avg + 20%-35%
22 to 24 Avg - 13%-20%
20 to 22 Reach 8%-13%
Less than 20 Low <8%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

74% of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.

High School Class Rank for admitted University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 74%
Top 25% of class 94%
Top 50% of class 99%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 30,452 20,277 50,729
Accepted 6,352 3,996 10,348
Acceptance Rate 21% 20% 20%
Enrolled 2,954 1,736 4,690
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 47% 43% 45%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 15, 2024

Days left to Apply

110

Applicants have 110 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Jan 15, 2024.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is $85.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and what student information is used for admission decisions?

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Application Requirements
Test Scores Considered but not required
High School GPA Required
High School Class Rank Recommended
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required
Recommendations Required
Demonstration of Competencies Neither required nor recommended

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because UNC Chapel Hill is very highly competitive, you have a low likelihood of acceptance. It is important that you earn at least a 3.83 GPA to have a good shot at getting in. Additionally, you need to score a 1260 on the SAT and optimally 1380 to place yourself in a strong position. For ACT scores, you need a 24 to have a competitive chance of getting in.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=199120 IPEDS survey data for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

FAQs

Does University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill prefer SAT or ACT?

2% of students submit their SAT scores to UNC Chapel Hill. 12% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.

What is my chance of getting into University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?

20% of those who apply are granted admission to UNC Chapel Hill. Admission competition is very high and the college has difficult admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.

What SAT score is required for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 1140 and 1380. The average SAT score is 1260. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.

What ACT score is required for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 22 and 27. The average ACT score is 24. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.