News Release

CHAPEL HILL – The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has admitted the most academically qualified class in its history for next fall, based on a comprehensive review of 18,678 freshman applications, resulting in admission offers to 6,671 students.

"We’ve had a great year. This is the strongest class we’ve ever admitted," said Stephen Farmer, assistant provost and director of admissions.

Just more than 4,600 North Carolina residents were invited to join the freshman class at an admission rate of 57 percent, and 2,057 non-residents were admitted at a rate of 19 percent. The estimated enrollment for the freshman class is 3,669, with in-state enrollment targeted at 82 percent as mandated by the UNC Board of Governors.

The university remains committed to building an extremely talented and diverse class, Farmer said, and "this group includes students from every ethnic, socioeconomic and geographic background – including every corner of the state."

The academic credentials of the admitted freshmen are the strongest ever, with an average SAT-I score of 1336, up 13 points from last year. And admitted freshmen hail from every North Carolina county, each of the nation’s 50 states, and 44 countries outside of the United States. More than 26 percent of the admitted class members indicated that they are African-American, Hispanic, Asian or Native American.

Students were carefully selected by an admissions committee whose holistic, six-month review process includes at least two evaluations of each application, Farmer said.

"We’re not just looking for students with good test scores," Farmer said. "We want bright, good-hearted students who will throw themselves into the life of our community and take advantage of every opportunity that’s given to them – from independent research and first year seminars to community outreach and study abroad. We want students who will push boundaries and encourage each other to do great things."

Carolina seeks to attract the best and brightest students throughout North Carolina and beyond while preserving affordability and accessibility for families of all income levels. The university also offers excellent merit and need-based grants.

As a result of last month's decision by the university's board of trustees to devote 25 percent of trademark licensing revenue to merit-based scholarships, the class enrolling in fall 2005 will include 60 more scholarship recipients than last year's class. All told, the freshman class is expected to have 290 merit-based scholars, including 60 Morehead, 15 Robertson and more than 130 National Merit Scholars. 

Additionally, the landmark Carolina Covenant enables qualified low-income first-year students to graduate from Carolina debt-free. Through these and other programs, Carolina meets 100 percent of demonstrated financial need of undergraduate students.

This spring, the university is hosting dozens programs, including Explore Carolina and Decision Days, to introduce admitted students to the intellectual life of the university. "We’re honored that such bright and accomplished students are interested in Carolina, and we don’t take their interest lightly," Farmer said. "We want to do everything possible to help them decide if Carolina is the best place for them, and we look forward to extending a warm welcome to each student who joins our community."

Whether the extra regional and national exposure the university has enjoyed in connection with the Tar Heel men’s basketball team’s national championship win on April 4 will provide an added boost for admissions remains unknown.

"People are asking whether our national championship will make a difference," Farmer said. "Of course, we’re very proud of the team, and everyone here is still walking on cloud nine. Whether that translates into a higher yield this year or more applications next year is everyone’s guess."

The university also completed the comprehensive review of 3,094 transfer applications and on Friday (April 15) invited 1,010 students to join the sophomore and junior class. The anticipated enrollment for the transfer class is 800. The admitted group includes 143 students from North Carolina community colleges and 270 students who are 21 years or older.

"Many students choose to transfer here after they’ve had a year or two of college work that prepares them for the rigor of Carolina," Farmer said. "Our transfer class is an integral part of the Carolina community, and we’re delighted to welcome them."

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Carolina Covenant background: http://www.unc.edu/news/archives/feb05/covenant022105.html

Merit-based scholarship expansion background: http://www.unc.edu/news/archives/mar05/merit032405.html

Note: Farmer can be reached at (919) 966-3992

News Services contact: Lisa Katz, (919) 962-2093 or lisa_katz@unc.edu