What makes a competitive transfer applicant?
Our holistic review of applicants looks for a variety of qualities in our applicants, from intellect, curiosity, creativity, leadership, kindness, and courage, to diversity of background and life experiences. We never turn students away on the basis of a single number, but instead consider each applicant as an individual.
While our students can't be summed up by numbers, you may find some data about our latest enrolling class helpful:
Fall 2012 Enrolling Class
3,224 applied
1,228 were admitted
746 enrolledApproximately 53% were female and 47% were male. 47% enrolled as sophomores and 53% as juniors. 24% of the enrolling class were non-traditional students older than age 22.
For enrolling sophomores, the average college GPA was 3.71 and the average SAT was 1272 (Critical Reading plus Math). For enrolling juniors, the average college GPA was 3.68 and the average SAT (not required of juniors) was 1204 (Critical Reading plus Math).
We take into consideration both your high school and college work as we evaluate your academic record. The more college work you have completed and the longer it has been since you graduated from high school, the more heavily we consider your college transcript rather than your high school record. For sophomores who are transferring with only one to two semesters of college work, your high school performance and curriculum are important factors in our decision.
Successful applicants are academically prepared to jump into their studies at Carolina with confidence. Admitted transfer students typically have a strong foundation in a challenging college curriculum, including courses in English, math, foreign language, the social sciences, and the natural sciences. You must also have at least a 2.0 GPA and be eligible to return to any college or university that you have attended in order to be considered for admission.
Minimum Course Requirements
To be eligible for transfer admission to UNC-CH, your high school preparation needs to meet certain minimum course requirements. These requirements are listed below; also listed are the three ways a student can overcome a deficiency in these requirements. Please remember that the following are minimum course requirements for eligibility; admitted candidates typically present credentials that go well beyond the minimum.
Your high school record in grades 9 through 12 must include at least the following:
four years of English;
Algebra 1, Algebra II, and Geometry; if you are applying as a sophomore transfer, at least four units of college preparatory mathematics (two algebra, one geometry and a higher level mathematics course for which Algebra II is a prerequisite);
three courses in science (one biological, one physical, and one lab science);
one course in social science; one course in United States history; and
two years of the same foreign language.
If your high school record lacks any unit in English, math, science, U.S. history, or social science or you hold a GED, you must present one of the following in order to meet minimum eligibility for admission:
at least 30 total transferable semester hours from an accredited college or university, with at least six hours in each of the following disciplines: English, math, social science, natural science, and foreign language (the six hours of foreign language is required if you graduated high school in 2004 or after); or
completion of an AA, AS, or AFA from a regionally accredited two-year school; or
status as a nontraditional applicant older than age 24.
Recommended Coursework
Successful transfer applicants to Carolina typically have a strong college foundation that reflects a breadth of coursework with courses from among all five of the major disciplines: English, foreign language, math, the social sciences and the natural sciences. Particularly for junior transfer students, this strong foundation is important as it means students will enter Carolina having met most of the general education requirements and ready to choose a major and specialize their studies.
Here are some resources that will help you learn about the Carolina curriculum and how you can prepare for certain majors here:
The Undergraduate Bulletin has information about the general education requirements at Carolina. You may also view the requirements for your major.
The Office of Academic Advising posts Advising Worksheets that help students map out the required coursework for different majors at Carolina. These are sample worksheets used by admitted UNC students and their advisor. Admitted students work directly with an academic advisor to plan their coursework.
For more information about how your previous coursework may transfer to Carolina, please see Transferring Your Courses.