5,393 Hear 'Yes'; Initial Applications Up 15 Percent

Posted on Jan. 31, 2013

Carolina has offered admission to this fall’s entering class to 5,393 candidates who applied by the first of two admission deadlines.

The admitted students were chosen from a record first-deadline pool of 15,169 — an increase of 15 percent from the previous year.

“We considered them one by one, and they impressed us as true individuals,” said Stephen Farmer, vice provost for enrollment and undergraduate admissions. “Students are more than their test scores and grades, and we don’t admit or deny anyone on the basis of a single number. From this day forward until our enrollment deadline of May 1, we’ll be helping them understand just how Carolina can help them meet the high standards they set for themselves.”

Examples of public service reported by admitted students include:

• Developing a civic action curriculum for use in local school systems;
• Working for peace through national Model United Nation assemblies;
• Founding an organization to provide services to small-business entrepreneurs and charities;
• Creating a program to raise funds and awareness for homeless children;
• Starting organizations to prevent substance abuse in schools and communities;
• Establishing gender equality and diversity initiatives in schools and communities; and
• Raising funds for global immunizations.

First-deadline admitted students come from 92 North Carolina counties, 47 U.S. states and 25 countries. Of those students who reported race or ethnicity, 17 percent identified themselves as American Indian, African-American, Hawaiian or Pacific Islander or Hispanic. Thirty percent identified themselves as students of color. Fourteen percent would represent the first generation of their family to graduate from college.

Overall, Carolina received 30,689 applications, surpassing last year’s total of 29,497. It is the eighth consecutive record year for applications at UNC; during this period, applications to the first-year class have increased 64 percent.

Decisions for second-deadline applicants will be released by the end of March. The University expects 3,960 new first-year students to enroll in August.

Each spring, the GAA hosts receptions for admitted students and their families. In April, seven are planned in North Carolina and three are planned out of state. For more, visit bit.ly/ASR2013.

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More online…

• Admissions Applications Soar With First Use of Common App
  January 2012 news report
• 5,100 Hear ‘Yes’; Initial Applications Up 7 Percent
  January 2011 news report
• 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.
• GAA Admissions Initiatives, with details about Admitted Student Receptions planned in April 2013

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