5,100 Hear 'Yes'; First-Deadline Applications Up 7 Percent
Posted on Jan. 25, 2011Carolina has offered admission to this fall’s entering class to 5,104 candidates who applied by the first of two admission deadlines. The admitted students were chosen from a record first-deadline pool of 14,018 — an increase of 7 percent from last year.
The University expects 3,990 new first-year students to enroll in August.
“The students we’ve admitted are terrific, and we’re honored by their interest in Carolina,” said Stephen Farmer, associate provost and director of undergraduate admissions. “It was a privilege for us to get to know these students through their applications — to learn about their achievements and to dream about their potential. We think these students will do great things here at Carolina and far beyond. We look forward to welcoming them next fall.”
Admitted students have taken an average of eight college-level courses (either Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or dual enrollment) at their high schools. Eighty-seven percent of the students rank in the top 10 percent of their class, 50 percent rank in the top 10 and 10 percent rank first. The middle 50 percent of those admitted scored between 1240 and 1450 (critical reading and math combined) on the SAT Reasoning Test. Admitted students averaged 665 in critical reading, 679 in math and 663 in writing.
First-deadline admitted students hail from 97 N.C. counties, 45 U.S. states and 21 countries. Of those students who reported race or ethnicity, 30 percent identified themselves as American Indian, African-American, Hawaiian or Pacific Islander or Hispanic. Fourteen percent will be the first generation of their family to graduate from college.
“These students are exceptionally strong,” Farmer said. “They include award-winning writers, accomplished researchers and talented athletes, actors and musicians. They’re also exceptionally public-minded. Almost all of them have made a point of serving others — some by founding social-service organizations, others by championing causes within their schools, still others by organizing efforts to relieve suffering within their communities and around the world.”
Farmer stressed that the candidates who were not admitted also were strong students and thanked them for their interest in UNC.
“The decisions were difficult,” he said. “Each of our candidates is a student — a young person with a unique combination of strengths and talents, hopes and dreams. We’re sorry that we’ve had to disappoint so many. We wish these students well and are confident they will find colleges where they will thrive. If we may help them in any way as they complete their college search, we will be glad to try.”
The first deadline for fall admission was Nov. 1, and the final deadline was Jan. 18. Admissions officials expect to have a final overall count of applications by Feb. 1. Through midday Friday, Jan. 21, a total of 23,473 applications had been received, surpassing last year’s total of 23,271. This marks the sixth consecutive record year for applications at UNC; during this period, applications to the first-year class have increased 26 percent.
Some alumni are surprised to learn that not every high school student admitted to UNC decides to enroll. So, despite the 5,104 individuals admitted so far, there will be more. In fall 2009, 53.9 percent of the 7,342 students who were admitted later enrolled at UNC – a figure admissions officials refer to as the “yield.”
More online…
- Answering Questions About Admissions and Financial Aid at UNC
As Carolina has become more attractive, competition at the admissions office continues to increase. The Carolina Alumni Review devotes in-depth coverage each March/April to this subject; features and data dating to 1996 are available. Topics have ranged from what it takes to compete, how financial aid works – including the creation of the Carolina Covenant, ensuring students from low-income families can graduate without debt – to how Carolina uses student essays to make admission decisions.
