Undergraduate Admissions: Myths and Realities

Posted on Nov. 6, 1986

From the University Report (published by the GAA 1970-94)

As your alumni director, I find that there is no subject that holds as much interest among our alumni as admissions. Nearly every day brings a question or comment about admissions — usually coming at an alumni chapter meeting, a GAA seminar, tour, or mixer, or from an alumnus coming into or calling the Alumni House.

While not everyone can be admitted to UNC, all alumni can help the University in this critical area. Last year the General Alumni Association, working with our local chapter officers and other interested alumni, assisted our undergraduate admissions office by actively encouraging outstanding high school students to apply to Carolina. As you will note from the accompanying chart, our results were significant.

• Applications were up by 2,374.
• SAT score averages were up by 17 points.
• The percentage of entering freshmen in the top 20% of their class increased from 88% to 90%.

We hope our alumni readers will continue to help the University identify and recruit prospective students — future alumni.

To assist you in this important initiative, I share with you the following information:

Most Common Myths About Undergraduate Admissions at Chapel Hill

• The Computer decides. (Wrong) Every application is personally reviewed by one or more members of the admissions staff. The total history and high school record of the applicant is carefully considered before making a decision.
• SAT score determines admission. (Wrong) An applicant’s high school record — grades, quality and difficulty of courses, class rank — are more important than SAT scores. Extra curricular activities with an emphasis on leadership and the total involvement of the student are also considered.

Alumni Children Do Receive Some Preference

Alumni children applying from out-of-state are considered for admission with North Carolina applicants. In addition, North Carolina alumni children whose applications may be borderline are benefited by their status as alumni children.

Entering freshmen in the fall of ’86 numbered 673 alumni children. However, 302 alumni children who were admitted elected not to enroll. Only 98 alumni children were found unqualified for admission, while another 377 freshman alumni children were denied admission because of space limitations.

Bits and Pieces

Students and parents are encouraged to visit the campus. While individual interviews have no influence on the admission decision, the admissions office provides student led tours nearly every day (when school is in session) at 2 p.m. and conducts meetings for potential applicants at 3 p.m. Sessions are also held on Mondays and Fridays at 10 a.m.

• The deadline for applications is Jan. 15. The application fee is $25.
• For those completing their applications before Oct. 15, a decision will be made by Dec. 15. For those between Oct. 15 and Dec. 1, a decision will be made by Feb. 1 and for those who complete applications between Dec. 1 and Jan. 15, a decision will be made by April 15.
• Notifications to out-of-state applicants are made only twice — Dec. 1 and April 15.
• If an applicant is informed that he/she has been placed on a waiting list, he/she is unlikely to receive a decision until late June or early July.
• Letters of recommendation, specific in nature, can be helpful to the admissions office.
• The Undergraduate Admissions office is located in the Monogram Bldg. on Country Club Drive (919/966-3621), Richard G. Cashwell, Director.

Please remember that alumni assistance with admissions is a most important form of “alumni annual giving!”

NOTE: A Board of Visitors task force has been formed to review University policies regarding undergraduate admissions. The task force is chaired by Lloyd M. Jard ’43, who in addition to serving on the Board of Visitors, is also a member of the GAA Board of Directors. Alumni are encouraged to share their thoughts and concerns regarding undergraduate admissions by writing the task force c/o the GAA:
Board of Visitors Task Force On Admissions, c/o UNC General Alumni Association, 230 South Columbia St., P.O. Box 660, Chapel Hill, NC 27514.

Yours at Carolina,

 

 

 

 

Douglas S. Dibbert ’70