Students

Carolina receives record-setting number of first-year applications for 14th consecutive year

44,784 students applied to join Carolina’s class of 2023.

Students walk on campus.

(Chapel Hill, N.C.— Jan. 25, 2019) – For the 14th consecutive year, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill received a record-setting number of first-year applications. The 44,784 applications for fall 2019 reflect a 3 percent increase over applicants for fall 2018.

“Each year, we’re humbled by the motivated, engaged, and talented students who apply to Carolina,” said Stephen Farmer, vice provost for enrollment and undergraduate admissions. “As we individually read each student’s application, we see what a vital force they are in their families, schools, and communities. We’re honored that they’ve chosen Carolina, where they will receive an outstanding education at one of the top research universities in the world and be among classmates and faculty who will support and challenge them.”

First-year applicants who applied by Oct. 15 will receive their decisions by the end of January; first-year applicants who applied by Jan. 15 will receive their decisions by the end of March. While first-year application deadlines for fall 2018 have passed, the University accepts transfer applications from students currently enrolled at other institutions through Feb. 15.

The University expects to enroll a first-year class of 4,200 students and an additional 800 transfer students.

Admitted students will be joining a world-class university that consistently ranks at the top of the list for best value in public higher education. This recognition reflects the University’s commitment to opening access to a high-quality, affordable education to well-qualified students from all backgrounds. The University spends more than $1 billion annually on research and development, continuing to rise as one of the world’s top universities for sponsored research.

UNC-Chapel Hill is one of the few public flagships to practice need-blind admissions and proudly meets 100 percent of the documented need of undergraduates qualifying for need-based aid who apply on time. Carolina meets more than two-thirds of that need with grants and scholarships and the average debt of graduating students is 22 percent below the national average. Fourteen percent of the Class of 2022 qualified for the Carolina Covenant, the University’s commitment to debt-free financial aid for its neediest students. More than 700 students are designated as Covenant Scholars each year.

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About the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the nation’s first public university, is a global higher education leader known for innovative teaching, research and public service. A member of the prestigious Association of American Universities, Carolina regularly ranks as the best value for academic quality in U.S. public higher education. Now in its third century, the University offers 74 bachelor’s, 104 master’s, 65 doctorate and seven professional degree programs through 14 schools including the College of Arts & Sciences. Every day, faculty, staff and students shape their teaching, research and public service to meet North Carolina’s most pressing needs in every region and all 100 counties. Carolina’s nearly 330,000 alumni live in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, US Territories and 161 countries. Over 178,000 live in North Carolina.

University Communications: Kate Luck, (919) 445-8555, mediarelations@unc.edu