does unc charlotte require an essay

We have extended the  enrollment deadline to May 15, 2024 . View the announcement .

Application Prompts for 2023-2024

Your essay and short answer responses help us get to know you.

We’ve selected the following prompts for the UNC-specific portion for the first-year and transfer applications for 2023-2024. We’re proud of the Carolina community and how each student makes us better through their excellence, intellect, and character. In reading your responses, we hope to learn what being a part of the Carolina community would mean to you.

Short answer prompts

We’d like to know how you’d contribute to the Carolina community and ask that you respond to each prompt in up to 250 words.

• Discuss one of your personal qualities and share a story, anecdote, or memory of how it helped you make a positive impact on a community. This could be your current community or another community you have engaged.
• Discuss an academic topic that you’re excited to explore and learn more about in college. Why does this topic interest you? Topics could be a specific course of study, research interests, or any other area related to your academic experience in college.

Common Application essay

You’ll choose one Common Essay prompt to respond to in 250-650 words. These prompts are common to all schools who accept the Common Application, and you can view the prompts here. Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don’t feel obligated to do so. The Common Application also has an optional section where you’ll have the opportunity to write about how COVID-19 has affected you.

Your responses will be evaluated not only for admission, but also for possible selection for scholarships and other special opportunities. We look forward to learning more about you!

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UNC Charlotte Requirements for Admission

Choose your test.

What are UNC Charlotte's admission requirements? While there are a lot of pieces that go into a college application, you should focus on only a few critical things:

• GPA requirements
• Testing requirements, including SAT and ACT requirements
• Application requirements

In this guide we'll cover what you need to get into UNC Charlotte and build a strong application.

School location: Charlotte, NC

This school is also known as: University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Admissions Rate: 79.6%

If you want to get in, the first thing to look at is the acceptance rate. This tells you how competitive the school is and how serious their requirements are.

The acceptance rate at UNC Charlotte is 79.6% . For every 100 applicants, 80 are admitted.

This means the school is lightly selective . The school will have their expected requirements for GPA and SAT/ACT scores. If you meet their requirements, you're almost certain to get an offer of admission. But if you don't meet UNC Charlotte's requirements, you'll be one of the unlucky few people who gets rejected.

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We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools.

Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.

UNC Charlotte GPA Requirements

Many schools specify a minimum GPA requirement, but this is often just the bare minimum to submit an application without immediately getting rejected.

The GPA requirement that really matters is the GPA you need for a real chance of getting in. For this, we look at the school's average GPA for its current students.

Average GPA: 3.55

The average GPA at UNC Charlotte is 3.55 .

(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA.

With a GPA of 3.55, UNC Charlotte requires you to be around average in your high school class. You'll need a mix of A's and B's, and very few C's. If you have a lower GPA, you can compensate with harder courses like AP or IB classes. This will help boost your weighted GPA and show your ability to take college classes.

If you're currently a junior or senior, your GPA is hard to change in time for college applications. If your GPA is at or below the school average of 3.55, you'll need a higher SAT or ACT score to compensate . This will help you compete effectively against other applicants who have higher GPAs than you.

SAT and ACT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for standardized testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them.

UNC Charlotte hasn't explicitly named a policy on SAT/ACT requirements, but because it's published average SAT or ACT scores (we'll cover this next), it's likely test flexible. Typically, these schools say, "if you feel your SAT or ACT score represents you well as a student, submit them. Otherwise, don't."

Despite this policy, the truth is that most students still take the SAT or ACT, and most applicants to UNC Charlotte will submit their scores. If you don't submit scores, you'll have one fewer dimension to show that you're worthy of being admitted, compared to other students. We therefore recommend that you consider taking the SAT or ACT, and doing well.

UNC Charlotte SAT Requirements

Many schools say they have no SAT score cutoff, but the truth is that there is a hidden SAT requirement. This is based on the school's average score.

Average SAT: 1216

The average SAT score composite at UNC Charlotte is a 1216 on the 1600 SAT scale.

This score makes UNC Charlotte Competitive for SAT test scores.

UNC Charlotte SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)

The 25th percentile SAT score is 1090, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1280. In other words, a 1090 on the SAT places you below average, while a 1280 will move you up to above average .

Here's the breakdown of SAT scores by section:

SAT Score Choice Policy

The Score Choice policy at your school is an important part of your testing strategy.

UNC Charlotte has the Score Choice policy of "Highest Section."

This is also known as "superscoring." This means that you can choose which SAT tests you want to send to the school. Of all the scores they receive, your application readers will consider your highest section scores across all SAT test dates you submit .

Click below to learn more about how superscoring critically affects your test strategy.

For example, say you submit the following 3 test scores:

Even though the highest total you scored on any one test date was 1000, UNC Charlotte will take your highest section score from all your test dates, then combine them to form your Superscore. You can raise your composite score from 1000 to 1400 in this example.

This is important for your testing strategy. Because you can choose which tests to send in, and UNC Charlotte forms your Superscore, you can take the SAT as many times as you want, then submit only the tests that give you the highest Superscore. Your application readers will only see that one score.

Therefore, if your SAT superscore is currently below a 1090, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the SAT and retaking it . You have a very good chance of raising your score, which will significantly boost your chances of getting in.

Even better, because of the Superscore, you can focus all your energy on a single section at a time. If your Reading score is lower than your other sections, prep only for the Reading section, then take the SAT. Then focus on Math for the next test, and so on. This will give you the highest Superscore possible.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

UNC Charlotte ACT Requirements

Just like for the SAT, UNC Charlotte likely doesn't have a hard ACT cutoff, but if you score too low, your application will get tossed in the trash.

Average ACT: 23

The average ACT score at UNC Charlotte is 23. This score makes UNC Charlotte Moderately Competitive for ACT scores.

The 25th percentile ACT score is 20, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 26.

Even though UNC Charlotte likely says they have no minimum ACT requirement, if you apply with a 20 or below, you'll have a harder time getting in, unless you have something else impressive in your application.

ACT Score Sending Policy

If you're taking the ACT as opposed to the SAT, you have a huge advantage in how you send scores, and this dramatically affects your testing strategy.

Here it is: when you send ACT scores to colleges, you have absolute control over which tests you send. You could take 10 tests, and only send your highest one. This is unlike the SAT, where many schools require you to send all your tests ever taken.

This means that you have more chances than you think to improve your ACT score. To try to aim for the school's ACT requirement of 20 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can. When you have the final score that you're happy with, you can then send only that score to all your schools.

ACT Superscore Policy

By and large, most colleges do not superscore the ACT. (Superscore means that the school takes your best section scores from all the test dates you submit, and then combines them into the best possible composite score). Thus, most schools will just take your highest ACT score from a single sitting.

However, in our research, we found that UNC Charlotte does in fact offer an ACT superscore policy . To quote their Admissions Office:

If you send us scores from multiple test dates, we’ll take your highest score for each section of the test and consider those scores as we evaluate your application.

Superscoring is powerful to your testing strategy, and you need to make sure you plan your testing accordingly. Of all the scores that UNC Charlotte receives, your application readers will consider your highest section scores across all ACT test dates you submit .

For example, say you submit the following 4 test scores:

Even though the highest ACT composite you scored on any one test date was 20, UNC Charlotte will take your highest section score from all your test dates, then combine them to form your Superscore. You can raise your composite score from 20 to 32 in this example.

This is important for your testing strategy. Because you can choose which tests to send in, and UNC Charlotte forms your Superscore, you can take the ACT as many times as you want, then submit only the tests that give you the highest Superscore. Your application readers will only see that one score.

Therefore, if your ACT score is currently below a 20, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the ACT and retaking it . You have a very good chance of raising your score, which will significantly boost your chances of getting in.

Even better, because of the Superscore, you can focus all your energy on a single section at a time. If your Reading score is lower than your other sections, prep only for the Reading section, then take the ACT. Then focus on Math for the next test, and so on. This will give you the highest Superscore possible.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and ACT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

SAT/ACT Writing Section Requirements

Currently, only the ACT has an optional essay section that all students can take. The SAT used to also have an optional Essay section, but since June 2021, this has been discontinued unless you are taking the test as part of school-day testing in a few states. Because of this, no school requires the SAT Essay or ACT Writing section, but some schools do recommend certain students submit their results if they have them.

UNC Charlotte considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration. You don't need to worry too much about Writing for this school, but other schools you're applying to may require it.

Final Admissions Verdict

Because this school is lightly selective, you have a great shot at getting in, as long as you don't fall well below average . Aim for a 1090 SAT or a 20 ACT or higher, and you'll almost certainly get an offer of admission. As long as you meet the rest of the application requirements below, you'll be a shoo-in.

But if you score below our recommended target score, you may be one of the very few unlucky people to get rejected.

Admissions Calculator

Here's our custom admissions calculator. Plug in your numbers to see what your chances of getting in are. Pick your test: SAT ACT

• 80-100%: Safety school: Strong chance of getting in
• 50-80%: More likely than not getting in
• 20-50%: Lower but still good chance of getting in
• 5-20%: Reach school: Unlikely to get in, but still have a shot
• 0-5%: Hard reach school: Very difficult to get in

How would your chances improve with a better score?

Take your current SAT score and add 160 points (or take your ACT score and add 4 points) to the calculator above. See how much your chances improve?

At PrepScholar, we've created the leading online SAT/ACT prep program . We guarantee an improvement of 160 SAT points or 4 ACT points on your score, or your money back.

Here's a summary of why we're so much more effective than other prep programs:

• PrepScholar customizes your prep to your strengths and weaknesses . You don't waste time working on areas you already know, so you get more results in less time.
• We guide you through your program step-by-step so that you're never confused about what you should be studying. Focus all your time learning, not worrying about what to learn.
• Our team is made of national SAT/ACT experts . PrepScholar's founders are Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers . You'll be studying using the strategies that actually worked for them.
• We've gotten tremendous results with thousands of students across the country. Read about our score results and reviews from our happy customers .

There's a lot more to PrepScholar that makes it the best SAT/ACT prep program. Click to learn more about our program , or sign up for our 5-day free trial to check out PrepScholar for yourself:

Application Requirements

Every school requires an application with the bare essentials - high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information. Many schools, as explained above, also require SAT and ACT scores, as well as letters of recommendation, application essays, and interviews. We'll cover the exact requirements of UNC Charlotte here.

Application Requirements Overview

• Common Application Not accepted
• Electronic Application Available
• Essay or Personal Statement
• Letters of Recommendation
• Interview Not required
• Application Fee $75
• Fee Waiver Available? Available
• Other Notes Medical history, no criminal record required for freshmen

Testing Requirements

• SAT or ACT Considered if submitted
• SAT Essay or ACT Writing Optional
• SAT Subject Tests
• Scores Due in Office June 1

Coursework Requirements

• Subject Required Years
• Foreign Language 2
• Social Studies 1

Deadlines and Early Admissions

• Offered? Deadline Notification
• Yes June 1 November 1
• Yes November 1 January 30

Admissions Office Information

• Address: 9201 Charlotte, NC 28223-0001
• Phone: (704) 687-8622 x8622
• Fax: (704) 687-1664
• Email: [email protected]

Other Schools For You

If you're interested in UNC Charlotte, you'll probably be interested in these schools as well. We've divided them into 3 categories depending on how hard they are to get into, relative to UNC Charlotte.

Reach Schools: Harder to Get Into

These schools are have higher average SAT scores than UNC Charlotte. If you improve your SAT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

Same Level: Equally Hard to Get Into

If you're competitive for UNC Charlotte, these schools will offer you a similar chance of admission.

Safety Schools: Easier to Get Into

If you're currently competitive for UNC Charlotte, you should have no problem getting into these schools. If UNC Charlotte is currently out of your reach, you might already be competitive for these schools.

Data on this page is sourced from Peterson's Databases © 2023 (Peterson's LLC. All rights reserved.) as well as additional publicly available sources.

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UNC Charlotte: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics

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The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is a public research university with an acceptance rate of 65%. Located in North Carolina's largest city, UNC Charlotte has grown from a small teacher's college to a large comprehensive university since its founding in 1946. The university is comprised of seven colleges, and undergraduates can choose from over 75 bachelor's degree programs. Majors in business and computer science are among the most popular with undergraduates. On the athletic front, the Charlotte 49ers compete in the NCAA Division I Conference USA (C-USA).

Considering applying to UNC Charlotte? Here are the admissions statistics you should know, including average SAT/ACT scores and GPAs of admitted students.

Acceptance Rate

During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, UNC Charlotte had an acceptance rate of 65%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 65 students were admitted, making UNC Charlotte's admissions process somewhat competitive.

SAT Scores and Requirements

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte requires that all applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, 71% of admitted students submitted SAT scores.

This admissions data tells us that most of UNC Charlotte's admitted students fall within the top 35% nationally on the SAT. For the evidence-based reading and writing section, 50% of students admitted to UNC Charlotte scored between 560 and 640, while 25% scored below 560 and 25% scored above 640. On the math section, 50% of admitted students scored between 560 and 650, while 25% scored below 560 and 25% scored above 650. Applicants with a composite SAT score of 1290 or higher will have particularly competitive chances at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Requirements

UNC Charlotte does not require the optional SAT essay section or SAT Subject tests. Note that UNCC participates in the scorechoice program, which means that the admissions office will consider your highest score from each individual section across all SAT test dates.

ACT Scores and Requirements

UNC Charlotte requires that all applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, 61% of admitted students submitted ACT scores.

This admissions data tells us that most of UNC Charlotte's admitted students fall within the top 36% nationally on the ACT. The middle 50% of students admitted to UNCC received a composite ACT score between 22 and 26, while 25% scored above 26 and 25% scored below 22.

Note that UNC Charlotte superscores ACT results; your highest subscore from each ACT section will be considered. UNC Charlotte does not require the optional ACT writing section.

In 2019, the average high school GPA of UNC Charlotte's incoming freshmen class was 3.92, and over 70% of incoming students had average GPAs of 3.75 and above. These results suggest that most successful applicants to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte have primarily A grades.

Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph

The admissions data in the graph is self-reported by applicants to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. GPAs are unweighted. Find out how you compare to accepted students, see the real-time graph, and calculate your chances of getting in with a free Cappex account.

Admissions Chances

The University of North Carolina Charlotte has moderately selectively admissions. Admitted students tend to have grades and standardized test scores that are a little above average. Strong grades in challenging classes and solid SAT/ACT scores will be the most important part of your application. The university does not require an essay or letters or recommendation. Note that Art, Architecture, and Music have additional application requirements such as portfolios and auditions.

In the graph above, the blue and green dots represent accepted students. As the data points show, most admitted students had high school grade point averages of "B" or higher, SAT scores of 1000 or higher (ERW+M), and ACT composite scores of 20 or better. Your chances are best if your numbers are a little above this range.

Note that there are a few red dots (rejected students) and yellow dots (waitlisted students) mixed in with the green and blue of the graph. This is because the UNC Charlotte admissions process isn't based entirely on grades and test scores. Applicants must have completed the required number of college preparatory courses (four units of English, four units of math, two units of social studies, three units of science, and two units of the same foreign language). The admissions officers will also be looking for students who continue to take the most challenging coursework during their senior year, and successful applicants often complete additional math, science, and language courses beyond the minimum requirements.

All admissions data has been sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte Undergraduate Admissions Office .

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Frequently Asked Admissions Questions

Can i apply to more than one graduate program.

Applicants may apply to more than one graduate program during any application cycle.  Applicants must submit their application materials for  each application  including Statement of Purpose, resume, and recommendations. Test scores and transcripts need to be submitted only once because they can be applied to multiple program applications.  Payment of the application fee is required for each program application submitted.  

Can I pursue my graduate education on a part-time basis?

There are many graduate programs at UNC Charlotte that can be taken on a part-time basis.  However, some graduate programs require students to be enrolled full-time.  The best source for this answer is to check the program’s website or speak to the graduate program director for details.

Do I need to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) language proficiency test?

If English is not your native language and you have not earned an associate's degree or higher from a United States institution. you must provide an English proficiency test.  See English Proficiency webpage for details.   

Do you have an application processing fee?

UNC Charlotte charges an application processing fee for every application submitted.  Applicants may use a credit card to pay the fee which is required before the online application can be submitted. Once you have submitted your application for admission, you will see a confirmation display.  The application processing fee is not refundable or transferable for any reason.  

How can I check the status of my application?

You may review your application status in your  applicant portal  at any time.

All I-20/visa/financial certification questions should be directed to the  International Student Scholars Office  (ISSO).

How can I find information about the course registration process?

Once you've been admitted to UNC Charlotte, you may view information about course registration on the NinerCentral self service website.  You can also find out information about what courses are offered each semester there as well: NinerCentral .

Is funding or financial aid available at UNC Charlotte?

UNC Charlotte has numerous avenues for graduate students to pursue financial opportunities in funding their education.  Please start with the Graduate School's Funding web pages to learn more about these opportunities.  We also encourage you to talk with your graduate program director for funding opportunities found within their College or department.

Is housing available for graduate students?

While many graduate students live off campus in nearby apartments, condominiums and houses, the university does provide limited  housing  on campus for graduate students.  Our campus is also linked to Uptown Charlotte through  Light-Rail  train making the entire metro area easily accessible to students living off campus.  View a  map of Charlotte .

May I transfer credit from previous graduate study toward graduate study at UNC Charlotte?

While policies differ from program to program, most will accept up to six credits of coursework taken from a college or university accredited by an accepted accrediting body.  See the  Graduate Catalog Glossary  for a list of accrediting bodies. Please refer to the Graduate Catalog for more information, and consult with your graduate program director.

My address has changed. Who should I notify?

If you are an admitted or current student, your contact information can be updated using the student portal  my.charlotte.edu . If you have applied for admission but have not been admitted, contact the  Office of Graduate Admissions  directly to update your address.

My application status is “incomplete” due to missing transcripts. Can I upload my transcripts to my application?

No, once you submit your application you cannot make changes to it.  The transcript can be emailed to  [email protected] .  A final, official transcript showing proof of the bachelor's degree is required only if you are admitted.

My recommendation provider did not receive the email about completing a recommendation for me. What should I do?

If your recommender has not received an email with a subject line of UNC Charlotte Graduate School Recommendation Request , please ask them to check their spam or junk folders. If the email is not there, the email domain may have filters in place blocking our email. Your recommender may contact their IT department to request the email be approved through their firewalls. Another option is to have your recommender provide an alternate email address you can enter in your application. If your recommender has further questions, please ask them to email us directly at [email protected] .

What are the application procedures?

All applicants must use our online application .  This online application is a common application used for all programs, certificates and post-baccalaureate study.  However, some programs may have special application requirements such as essays or portfolios in addition to this online application. Please review your program's website or contact the graduate program director for details.

What are the requirements to be classified as an in-state student for tuition purposes? And how can I change my classification?

North Carolina Residency Determination Service (RDS) makes residency classification.  Visit the  RDS website , and/or contact the RDS at (844) 319-3640 or by email at [email protected] .

What are the test score submission procedures?

Note, if you are applying as a post-baccalaureate (non-degree) student, a standardized admissions test is not required. Learn more about test score s.

What are the transcript requirements?

Applicants are required to provide transcripts from any institution where college credit was earned.  For applicants who earned college credit while in high school, a transcript is not necessary. Please upload a current unofficial transcript from each institution from where you attempted college credit. Transfer credit posted on one transcript cannot be substituted for another institution's transcript. 

Transcripts are not required from study abroad programs.  International transcripts from India, Bangladesh, and Nepal must include individual marks sheets  combined into one pdf before they can be attached to your application.

You can upload your transcript(s) within your application or after you submit it.

What is required to apply for graduate study at UNC Charlotte?

To be considered for admission to the Graduate School at UNC Charlotte, applicants must complete a bachelor’s degree or its U.S. equivalent, from a college or university accredited by an accepted accrediting body.  See the  Graduate Catalog Glossary  for a list of accrediting bodies. Details about admissions requirements for the various types of admissions and programs, are available online on our  Admissions Information webpage.

What is the cost of graduate school at UNC Charlotte?

UNC Charlotte is a publicly supported, doctoral and research intensive institution, accredited by the Commission of Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. It is the largest institution of higher education in the Charlotte region and the second largest of 16 constituent members of the University of North Carolina System. As a public institution, our tuition can be one of the best values in higher education.  Current tuition and fees may be found on the NinerCentral self service website.

What is the policy on deferred admission?

We are happy to consider you for admission to a different term.  A new application is required as admission is not deferred. 

What is the procedure for submitting recommendations?

If the program to which you are applying requires recommendations, you will enter the names and email address of your recommenders in your application.  After entering their information, you will click send.  An email is sent directly to your recommender with a link for the recommender to complete a brief, online form.  The recommender may also upload a written letter.  See Recommendations for details.

What is the procedure to submit my statement of purpose?

Some graduate programs have specific instructions and guidelines for what should be included in the statement of purpose.  As such, please follow the guidelines recommended by the program to which you are applying for admission. If specific guidelines are not listed on a program website, the Graduate School recommends you describe your reasons for applying to the proposed program, your preparation for this field of study, future career plans, and other aspects of your background and interests which may aid the admissions committee in evaluating your motivation for graduate study.

We recommend that you write your statement of purpose in MS Word before applying. When you apply online, you will be asked to upload your statement of purpose. Note that many people upload the statement of purpose as a pdf, which works very well.

What should I write in my statement of purpose?

Some programs (i.e. Social Work) have specific instructions and guidelines for what should be included in the statement of purpose, so please follow the guidelines recommended by the program to which you are applying for admission. If specific guidelines are not listed, the Graduate School recommends you describe your reasons for applying to the proposed program, your preparation for this field of study, future career plans, and other aspects of your background and interests which may aid the admissions committee in evaluating your motivation for graduate study.

When is the application deadline?

The application deadline is the date by which the Office of Graduate Admissions should receive your online application and supporting documents, including test scores and recommendation forms. Thus, you are strongly encouraged to apply and submit your materials early. While most graduate programs follow the Graduate School’s standard/priority application deadlines, some programs have early deadline dates and only admit students to specific terms. Consult the Programs web page for details on the Graduate School’s priority application deadlines as well as the early deadlines for specific programs.

When reapplying for admission, what is the process?

To reapply to a different term or program, submit a new application and an application processing fee: 

• Test Scores:  Official scores sent to the Graduate School will automatically attach to all of your applications.  
• Recommendations:   Within the application, if recommendations are required and you want to use previously submitted ones, you can choose to import them. Recommendations are only valid for one year.
• Transcripts:  Please upload copies of your transcripts and make sure the transcript is up-to-date.
• Other Requirements:  Follow directions for providing or uploading other requirements.

If you were denied admission to a program, you might want to review your previous application and look for areas of improvement such as your statement of purpose or test scores.

When will a decision be made on my application?

Most decisions are made in March and April (for fall), and in November (for spring).  Academic programs have different timelines and admission committees review applications in different ways; some review applications on a “rolling” or continual basis while others review files at certain times of the year. Continue to monitor the status of your application by logging back into your portal.  If you have questions about the decision, please contact the program you applied to directly through their web page.

Where is the Graduate Admissions office?

The Graduate School and Graduate Admissions are located near the center of campus in the  Reese building . Both offices are located on the fifth floor of Reese.

With over 150 graduate programs at UNC Charlotte, where can I find information about them?

The  Programs  webpage lists all graduate programs offered, links to departmental websites, and contact information for each program.  

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Undergraduate Program Information

The English Department offers degree-concentrations in a variety of specialized areas of study: literature, creative writing, digital technology, and pedagogy. All of these concentrations promote in their specific ways the crucial liberal-arts skills of advanced literacy: critical reading and high-quality writing.

Although it’s difficult to identify a single key experience that Undergraduate English Majors at UNC Charlotte all share, there are central questions to which our majors pursue answers. “What does the text (a novel, a poem, an essay, a film, a website, a speech, a story, a brochure) mean? How do meanings change over time, across historical periods? How do we come to our own interpretations? What can we teach others? What does it mean to revise? How can we best use technologies to research, draft, edit, and publish our work?”

If these are the kind of questions that intrigue you, consider an English Major at UNC Charlotte.

Major Concentrations:

• English B.A.
• Creative Writing Concentration, English B.A.
• Language and Digital Technology Concentration, English B.A.
• Literature and Culture Concentration, English B.A.
• Pedagogy Concentration, English B.A.
• Interdisciplinary Minor in Children’s Literature and Childhood Studies
• Interdisciplinary Minor in Diverse Literature and Cultural Studies
• Minor in English
• Interdisciplinary Minor in Linguistics
• Interdisciplinary Minor in Technical/Professional Writing

Students in the English Learning Community attend the Renaissance Festival in Fall 2021.

Links to the Undergraduate Catalog

Admission and Progression Requirements, and all Program Requirements can be found in the Undergraduate Catalog. Please see the information below:

Catalog Information on English Major Concentrations

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Catalog Information on English Minors

• Children’s Literature and Childhood Studies
• Diverse Literatures and Cultural Studies
• English Minor
• Linguistics Minor
• Technical/Professional Writing Minor

Catalog Information on the Honors Program

Catalog information on early entry, academic plans of study, additional resources for students.

Undergraduate Advising

Professional Internships Students are strongly encouraged to participate in an internship during their undergraduate career. Internships provide a real-life work experience, so take a few moments to review the information and consult with the internship coordinator for additional information.

Teacher licensure If, as part of your B.A. in English, you are seeking licensure to teach English in grades 9-12, you should consult with your advisor in the Department of Middle, Secondary, and K-12 Education for specific requirements. You can also download a teacher licensure worksheet.

For students interested in signing up for writing courses, see: University Writing Program

Freshman Admission Requirements

Candidates for admission to freshman standing, including transfer applicants who present fewer than 24 hours of transferred credit, must:

• Submit a completed application for admission. A completed application is defined as the application, essay, and the official transcripts from all schools attended.
• Have graduated from an approved or accredited high school or have earned an equivalency certificate or G.E.D.
• Present the following High School Course Units : 4 units in English , emphasizing grammar, composition and literature; 4 units in mathematics , including Algebra I, Algebra II, and geometry, and a higher level mathematics course for which Algebra II is a prerequisite; 2 units in social studies , including one unit in U.S. history; and 3 units in science , including at least one unit in a life or biological science (e.g., biology), at least one unit in a physical science (e.g., chemistry, physics, physical science), and at least one laboratory course; and 2 units of the same foreign language . It is recommended that the candidate for admission also complete a third unit of the same foreign language. Seniors should select a challenging academic schedule that includes English, math, science, social studies (history), and a foreign language.
• Present satisfactory high school grades.
• Present all college-level work completed in high school by submitting one official copy from any college or university attended.
• Request official Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and Cambridge Exam test results to be sent directly to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions (Code 5105).
• Satisfy any additional requirements for acceptance into their chosen major (if any).
• Present verification of specific immunizations required by North Carolina state law described later in this section of the Catalog. An Immunizations Form is available to download online at studenthealth.uncc.edu .

Transfer Admission Requirements

Candidates for admission as transfer students must:

• Submit a completed application for admission. A completed application is defined as the application and the official transcripts from all schools attended, including summer sessions and dual enrollment courses from high school.
• Satisfy the requirements for freshman admission if they do not present at least 24 hours of transferred credit accepted by UNC Charlotte.
• Present the High School Course Units (required of all students under the age of 21) specified in the Freshman Admission Requirements. Transfer applicants who did not complete the required course units in high school may earn an Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, or Associate in Fine Arts, Associate of Engineering degree or complete 24 hours of transferable credit.
• Present an academic average of at least C (a grade point average of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale) on all post-secondary courses attempted, as calculated by the UNC Charlotte Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
• Be in good standing at the last college or university attended.
• Satisfy any additional requirements for acceptance into their chosen major (if any). For more information concerning selective major requirements, please consult the Admissions website at admissions.uncc.edu .

Refer to the Undergraduate Admissions website for the most current requirements.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Failure to indicate all institutions of higher education attended on any application for admission or readmission to UNC Charlotte is considered falsification of the application and will result in forfeiture of the transfer of all credits from those institutions attended, as well as possible disciplinary action.

Non-Degree Students

Non-degree students are those who are not seeking a degree at UNC Charlotte.  On very rare occasions, if space is available, they may enroll in undergraduate courses at the University until they have attempted a total of 18 credit hours with grade evaluation.  Students who did not gain admission to a degree-seeking program will not be admitted as a non-degree student.  Admission as a non-degree student is up to the discretion of the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.  Regular degree students will have preference for places in classes.  Non-degree students are expected to conform to the standards required of all students.  After reaching the 18-hour limit, non-degree students must be reviewed and be acceptable for regular degree status before continuing at the University. Non-degree international exchange and senior citizen course audit students are exempt from this requirement.

Non-degree students who have done previous college work (including UNC Charlotte) must be eligible to return to the institution last attended.

The student must be 18 years of age or over and must understand at the time of his/her registration that the work completed in non-degree student status will be evaluated in terms of major department and degree requirements only after the student’s formal admission to a degree program.

Visiting Students

Students enrolled at other colleges and universities who wish to take specific courses at the University in a given semester or term may be admitted as visiting students.  They register on a space available basis after UNC Charlotte degree-seeking students and must submit a new application for each term they would like to attend as a visiting student.

Pre-Collegiate Enrichment Program (PEP)

The Pre-Collegiate Enrichment Program (PEP) provides an opportunity for highly qualified students to take college credit courses while enrolled in secondary school.  Records of credit earned will be maintained for use at the University or at another institution of higher learning.  The program is designed for those students who have exhausted their course offerings at their high school and need to supplement their high school curriculum with college courses.  The program is not designed for students who wish to take courses to fulfill high school requirements.

Applicants recommended for participation in the program usually have shown very advanced ability in particular academic areas.  The recommendations are normally made by the secondary school principal and are reviewed by the Director of Undergraduate Admissions on an individual basis.  PEP students are not permitted to live in campus housing.

University of North Carolina at Charlotte | UNC Charlotte

Cost & scholarships.

• Essay prompt

Your chances

Acceptance rate, acceptance rate breakdown, applicant breakdown, average net cost after aid.

Published costs and averages can be misleading: they don’t fully account for your family’s finances (for financial aid) or your academic profile (for scholarships).

Want to see your personalized net cost after financial aid and scholarships?

Applications

How to apply, tests typically submitted, enrolled breakdown by gender, race & ethnicity diversity, special academic offering, study abroad, credit for ap exams, offers graduate degree, academic and career counseling, similar schools.

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Pre-Medicine

UNC Charlotte offers pre-medical preparation for undergraduate, graduate, and post-baccalaureate students interested in pursuing a career in medicine. Opportunities and services available to students include:

• Strong academic preparation in the required pre-medical “core” of classes
• Broad selection of recommended science and non-science classes
• Pre-Medical Advising for academic and nonacademic requirements for medical school admissions
• Assistance with the application process, including essay preparation and interviews
• UNCC Pre-Professional Faculty Evaluation Committee that prepares recommendation letters for students with competitive academic credentials
• Opportunities to become involved in research
• Student clubs that offer guest speakers, community service opportunities, and support

The following classes are recommended for completion of the basic pre-medical core at UNCC. The classes are recommended to cover the basic requirements at the majority of medical schools and/or prepare you for the MCAT.

Remember that each medical school establishes their specific prerequisites; always check the websites of the schools that you want to attend .

UNC School of Medicine: In addition to the above, add 1 semester of 3000/4000-level biology (such as Genetics, Animal Physiology, or Microbiology) (no plant/insect/ecology courses).

* Advanced Placement Credit: All medical schools have policies regarding acceptability of advanced placement (AP) credits for required courses. One of the problems with AP credit is that there is no grade available to evaluate the student’s performance in the class, and no grade available to compute into the GPA. For these reasons, many medical schools will not accept AP credit alone to fulfill the requirements for science and math. Some medical schools will accept AP to meet non-science course requirements. Usually, if a medical school requires a certain number of hours of subject X, they want you in a college classroom for that number of hours. Some medical schools have a more lenient policy on AP than others. If you have questions about AP credits, contact the admissions office of the medical schools to which you want to apply, or contact the Pre-Health Advising office.

STUDENT CLUBS

American Medical Student Association (AMSA)

email: [email protected]

Black Women in Medicine

email: [email protected]

Minority Association of Pre-medical Students (MAPS)

email: [email protected]

Pre-Student Osteopathic Medical Association (PreSOMA)

email: [email protected]

Professional Associations

• American Medical Association
• Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)
• American Osteopathic Association
• American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine
• Association of Schools & Programs of Public Health

MCAT and MCAT Preparation

• Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)

Applying to Medical Schools

• American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS)
• American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS)

Financial Planning

• FIRST for Medical Education (basic financial planning information for med school from AAMC )
• AAMC’s State and Other Loan Forgiveness and Scholarship Programs (database)
• National Health Services Corps
• Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program: Army , Navy , Air Force
• Indian Health Service
• NC Forgiveable Education Loans for Service (FELS)

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Resources

• Minorities in Medicine
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Diversity in the Physician Workforce (publication)

Post-Baccalaureate Programs

• AAMC (searchable database of postbacc programs)

Medical Publications

• New England Journal of Medicine
• Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA)
• National Library of Medicine (NLM)

Medical Licensing

• Federation of State Medical Boards

Medical Ethics

• AMA Code of Medical Ethics
• The Hastings Center Report
• University of Washington SOM: Ethics in Medicine

Health-related Organizations

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• US Food & Drug Administration (FDA)
• World Health Organization

Summer Enrichment Programs

• Summer Programs
• AAMC Aspiring Docs
• Explore Health Careers Diversity Links Page
• Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP)(formerly SMDEP)
• Medical Education & Development Program (MED)
• Summer Program for Future Doctors (SPFD)

Summer Internships & Research Programs

• National Institutes of Health Summer Internship Program
• National Science Foundation
• R.I.T. (huge listing of research internships/coops)
• Syracuse University (large listing of summer programs)
• GREAT Group (summer research programs affiliated with medical schools)
• Native Health Initiative

Go to Charlotte.edu

Prospective Students

• About UNC Charlotte
• Campus Life
• Graduate Admissions

Faculty and Staff

• Human Resources
• Auxiliary Services
• Inside UNC Charlotte
• Academic Affairs

Current Students

• Financial Aid
• Student Health

Alumni and Friends

• Alumni Association
• Advancement
• Make a Gift

UNC Charlotte Academic Policy and Procedure: Transfer Credit and Advanced Academic Standing

I. executive summary.

This policy and procedure details the types of transfer credit that are accepted at UNC Charlotte.

II. Policy and Procedure Statement

Evaluation of college transfer credits is coordinated through the Office of the Registrar. CLEP, AP, Cambridge, and IB are coordinated through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Prospective students who desire further information about policies and procedures for awarding credit should contact the respective office mentioned above or utilize the “Transfer Credit Advisor” tool online at admissions.charlotte.edu .

UNC Charlotte will accept appropriate undergraduate credits earned through AP, IB, CLEP, Cambridge, armed forces service schools, and college level courses completed prior to graduation from high school. In addition, UNC Charlotte will accept or transfer appropriate undergraduate credits earned at a college or university accredited by an accepted accrediting body or through credit by examination. Credit toward a degree is not awarded for Continuing Education Units (CEUs) or for remedial level college courses.

Advanced Placement Course Credit (AP)

The University will accept appropriate undergraduate credits earned through Advanced Placement Program Tests completed prior to graduation from high school. Students must request that official Advanced Placement test results be sent directly to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions for evaluation (UNC Charlotte code 5105). Prospective students who desire further information about policies and procedures for awarding credit should view score requirements and other related information at admissions.charlotte.edu . No more than 8 credit hours can be awarded for any single Advanced Placement exam.

International Baccalaureate Program (IB)

The University will award credit for subjects in which students score appropriate scores on the IB examinations. View score requirements at admissions.charlotte.edu.

Cambridge Exams

The University will award credit for subjects in which students score appropriate scores on Cambridge examinations. View score requirements at admissions.charlotte.edu.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP) General Examination

An undergraduate student may receive up to 23 credit hours of elective credit. CLEP credit will be awarded according to UNC Charlotte policy in place at the time of evaluation. View score requirements at admissions.charlotte.edu . The amount of CLEP credit that is applicable to a specific degree program is determined by the department offering the program.

Transfer Credit from Other Institutions

Official transcripts are evaluated in the Office of the Registrar and the results are provided to the applicant and to the major department/college. Determining the applicability of transferred credits to major or program requirements is the responsibility of the department chairperson or program director. General rules governing transfer credit:

• Only courses taken at a college or university accredited by an accepted accrediting body will be considered for transfer credit.
• Provisional transfer credit may be granted for study at foreign institutions or a college or university not accredited by an accepted accrediting body, but must be validated by 30 credit hours of successful performance in residence at UNC Charlotte.
• Courses for which credit is accepted must be appropriate for approved University programs and curricula in which the student is enrolled.
• No credit below C level will be accepted; grade points and averages do not transfer.
• Transfer credit is awarded only upon receipt, in the UNC Charlotte Offices of Undergraduate Admissions or the Registrar, of an official transcript from the institution where the credit was earned.

Students who hold a baccalaureate degree from a college or university accredited by an accepted accrediting body will not be required to satisfy the UNC Charlotte General Education Requirements for a second degree. Students will be issued a transfer credit report and will have their credit from their first degree evaluated.

Credit for Military Training

The University will approve academic credit for military training equivalent to UNC Charlotte courses required for the students’ major, minor, or General Education requirements. The credit must be approved by the student’s major department chair, college dean, and the department that offers the course.

Documentation of the training, such as a license of completion, Joint Services Transcript, or notation on the student’s DD Form 214, is required. The same requirements apply to transfer or military training credit approved by another institution. Contact the Office of the Registrar for further information.

Credit from Two-Year Institutions

The University accepts a maximum of 64 credit hours from two year institutions for undergraduate students. Remedial and technical courses will not transfer.

Transient Study

Courses undertaken by UNC Charlotte undergraduate degree students at a college or university accredited by an accepted accrediting body may be transferred to the University subject to the following regulations:

• The University is not obligated to accept any credit from another institution unless the student has obtained the prior approval of the dean of the college in which he/she is enrolled. A “Permit for Transient Study” form should be completed and filed with the UNC Charlotte Office of the Registrar prior to enrollment at another institution.
• No credit will be accepted for courses below C level for undergraduate students.
• The student must request that an official transcript be sent to the UNC Charlotte Office of the Registrar upon completion of the course(s). A form for this purpose is available in the Office of the Registrar at the institution where the course is taken.
• Grades do not transfer.

Credit by Examination

A student currently enrolled at UNC Charlotte may pass a specially prepared challenge examination and receive credit for a University course without having to do the normal course work. The student contacts the chair of the department in which credit is sought to request administration of an examination. Since it may not be appropriate to award credit by examination for some courses, the decision to offer an examination is that of the department. If the chair authorizes an examination, the student is instructed to pay the required fee for credit by examination and to bring the receipt of payment to the examination. Hours earned through credit by examination will be indicated on the transcript, but no grade points will be awarded. Hours attempted will be assigned equal to the hours earned. Failure on such an examination will incur no grade point penalty or hours attempted. A department may allow a student to take examinations for courses not offered at UNC Charlotte, if it deems it appropriate to do so. No student may challenge a course for which either a passing or failing grade has been received at UNC Charlotte.

Exemptions to General Education Requirements

First-Year Writing Requirements

Students will be deemed to have fulfilled the First-Year writing requirement (WRDS 1103 or WRDS 1104) if either of the following apply: a) exemption from first-year writing (without credit) at another college or university; or b) 64 or more transferred credit hours from U.S. institution(s) of higher education. (Some exceptions may apply for students with transferred credit hours from institutions where English is not the language of instruction.)

Lower-Division Requirements

Some transfer students are exempt from General Education requirements* if they are admitted to the University in Fall 2003 or thereafter. These include:

• Students from North Carolina Community Colleges who receive an Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Science (AS), Associate of Fine Arts (AFA), or Associate of Engineering (AE) degree
• Students from North Carolina Community Colleges who have completed the 31 credit hour general education core. (Comprehensive Articulation Agreement, CAA)
• Students who graduate from a North Carolina Community College with an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) and enroll at UNC Charlotte in an approved 2+2 degree completion program. (this exemption becomes invalid if the student changes programs)

Transfer Students from out-of-state and private institutions of higher education who receive an Associate Degree from that institution will have the degree evaluated for the same General Education exemption on a case by case basis by the Office of the Registrar. The criteria used in the evaluation will be the amount of college-level English, math, natural science, social science, and humanities course work that is included in the degree’s curriculum. Curriculums that are more technical in nature or lack key features of the UNC Charlotte General Education core may not be approved for an exemption from lower division General Education requirements, but individual courses will be accepted towards the UNC Charlotte requirements.

Critical Thinking and Communication (CTC) Requirement

See the General Education Program for details on transfer credit and the CTC requirement.

III. Definitions

• Accepted Accrediting Body – The following are accepted accrediting bodies: Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Higher Learning Commission (HLC), Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), and WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
• Advanced Placement (AP) – Standardized courses administered by The College Board offered in high school, the completion of which may result in credit for some of the courses normally required for an undergraduate degree. Awarding of credit based on AP is granted to a student based on prior study or experience (usually indicated by the student’s performance on the AP examination).
• Bachelor’s degree or baccalaureate – The degree of bachelor of arts (B.A.) or bachelor of science (B.S.), typically requiring a minimum of 120 hours of specified course work. A bachelor’s degree is comprised of General Education courses, a major program(s), elective courses, and, in some cases, a minor program(s), and, in general, is completed in four years.
• Cambridge International Examinations – Standardized courses administered by Cambridge Assessment International offered in high school, the completion of which may result in credit for some of the courses normally required for an undergraduate degree. Awarding of credit based on Advanced (A-Level) or Advanced Subsidiary (AS-Level) examinations is granted to a student based on prior study or experience (usually indicated by the student’s performance on the A- or AS-level examinations).
• 750 minutes of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of 1500 minutes of out of class student work for one semester hour of credit. Each credit hour corresponds to 50 minutes per week of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of 100 minutes of out of class work per week for a 15 week semester, or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time, whether instruction is delivered face to face, or in a hybrid or distance mode and regardless of the type of academic work leading to the award of credit hours, such as lecture, seminar, internship, practica, studio, to name a few. Regardless of the length of term, the standard of 750 minutes of contact minutes and 1500 minutes of out of class work for each credit hour remains the same.
• 1500 minutes of direct faculty instruction for one semester hour of credit for a lab course.
• Degree – Diploma or title awarded to a student who completed a prescribed course of study.
• General Education Requirements – These courses provide undergraduate students, regardless of their majors, with the foundations of a liberal education. For details, see the General Education Program section of the Undergraduate Catalog.
• International Baccalaureate (IB) – Standardized courses offered in high school, the completion of which may result in credit for some of the courses normally required for an undergraduate degree. Awarding of credit based on IB is granted to a student based on prior study or experience (usually indicated by the student’s performance on IB examinations).
• Registrar – The official at the University who is responsible for maintaining student records. The Office of the Registrar plans and oversees registration, academic record maintenance, transcript preparation, graduation, a degree audit report system, and curricular records.

IV. Policy and Procedure Contact(s)

• Authority : Faculty Council [Faculty Academic Policy and Standards Committee]
• Responsible Office : Office of the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
• Additional Contact(s) : Office of the Registrar , Office of Undergraduate Admissions
• Revised: February 23, 2012 [limit added to number of credits awarded for AP exams]
• Revised: Summer 2014 [required ENGL courses changed to UWRT prefix]
• Revised: April 11, 2017 [changes approved by Faculty Council to the General Education Program (see the Approval Memo ) prompted additional Exemption to Gen Ed Requirements for CTC Course for Transfer Students]
• Revised: March 27, 2020 [added Cambridge Exams in compliance with UNC Policy 700.10.1]
• Revised: June 18, 2018 [updated language from “an accredited institution” to “a college or university accredited by an accepted accrediting body”]
• Revised: December 14, 2020 [required UWRT courses changed to WRDS prefix]
• Revised: May 5, 2021 [removed list of subject matter examinations under CLEP]
• Revised: August 30, 2022 [removed University College from list of colleges that do not allow full-time students to take classes at another institution]
• Revised : December 19, 2022 [removed clause that College of Liberal Arts & Sciences does not allow full-time students to take classes at another institution, effective Spring 2023 term]
• Revised: October 4, 2023 [Updated transfer credit evaluation from Undergraduate Admissions to Office of the Registrar and updated to reflect the changes to the 2023 General Education Curriculum]

VI. Related Policies, Procedures, and Resources

• Credit by Exam Form
• Permit for Transient Study
• Transfer Credit Reevaluation Form
• UNC Charlotte Academic Policy and Procedure: Reverse Transfer
• UNC Policy 700.10.1 Policy on Awarding Undergraduate Credit on the Basis of Advanced Course Examination Scores

VII. Frequently Asked Questions

• Where is this policy and procedure referenced? The policy and procedure is published on the Academic Policies & Procedures webpage of the Provost website and in the Degree Requirements & Academic Policies section of the Undergraduate Catalog .
• Which students are covered under this policy and procedure? This policy and procedure applies to all undergraduate students at UNC Charlotte.
• If students attended a four-year institution prior to attending a two-year institution, are those credit hours also accepted? Yes. The University accepts a maximum of 64 credit hours from two-year institutions for undergraduate students, and an unlimited number of transferable credits from four-year institutions, regardless of when attended.

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First-Year Applicants

It's never too early to start preparing for your future, and we are here to help. If you're graduating from high school or have never enrolled in college, you will apply as a first-year applicant. If you've already graduated from high school and begun your college education at another institution, you will need to apply as a transfer applicant . If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you'll need to apply as an international applicant .

How To Apply

Apply online.

Choose to apply through one of our two applications – we do not have a preference which application you choose.

Pay the Fee

A non-refundable application fee of $85 is required. If you think you may qualify for a fee waiver, view fee waiver eligibility requirements and learn how to submit documentation here .

Select a Major

On the application, you’ll be asked to select up to two majors based on your interests. We encourage you to select two different majors because if we determine you’re not competitive for your first-choice major, you’ll be reviewed for your second-choice major.

Students interested in a studio-based major (Architecture, Art + Design, Fashion and Textile Design, Graphic & Experience Design, Industrial Design) must apply by November 1 in addition to submitting a 10-piece portfolio and design essay.

• 100+ Majors Options
• First-Year Programs

Self-Report Your Test Scores (optional)

As a part of the UNC System, NC State will be test-optional for 2024 spring and fall first-year applicants.

A determination as to whether or not NC State will remain test-optional beyond the 2024 application cycle has not yet been made by the UNC System.  We recommend that prospective students take a standardized test as part of their college application preparation. However, as long as NC State remains test-optional, standardized test scores are not required to be submitted as part of a complete application.

On the admission application you will be required to indicate whether or not you plan to submit SAT or ACT scores for consideration in the admission review process. You will not be disadvantaged if you indicate you do not want scores to be considered in your application review. Learn more about test score consideration in the review process here .

• If you choose to submit your test scores, you should self-report them on your application. We encourage you to submit all scores, and we will consider your highest sub-score from each section across your test dates to create a super-score .
• We can not guarantee scores received after the application materials deadline will be used in our review. See which test dates we accept for our application deadlines here .
• SAT Essay or ACT Writing scores are not required.
• After you have applied, any additional test scores can be added on your wolfPAW account. We will not accept standardized test scores on your high school transcript.
• If you choose to enroll at NC State and opted for test scores to be considered during your application review, official SAT (code: 5496) or ACT (code: 3164) test scores will be required prior to enrollment.

Complete the Essay Prompts

You’ll choose an essay prompt from the list provided by Common App or Coalition App so you can share your story with us in 650 words or less. We also have some additional short answer questions to help us get to know you better. These responses will be included in your application.

If you want to leverage an AI tool like ChatGPT for help writing your college essay, we encourage you to use it as a learning experience that can help brainstorm ideas and structure thoughts. In the end, we want to hear about your experience in your own unique voice.

Required Short Answer Questions

• Explain why you selected the academic program(s) above and why you are interested in studying these at NC State.

University Honors Program

If you are interested in being considered for NC State’s University Honors Program , there is an additional question required with a response of no more than 600 words available on the admissions application or on your wolfPAW account after you apply. Learn more about admissions criteria for these programs here .

Submit Your Transcript

To complete your application, you must send an official high school transcript to our office . Your high school counselor can submit your transcript through Common App, Coalition App, slate.org or another secure sending service such as Naviance or Parchment. Students studying at participating public high schools in North Carolina can request official transcripts be sent to our office using CFNC .

How To Be Competitive

Learn what factors we take into consideration during application review and how to be a competitive first-year applicant. 

See how you may be provided college credit for courses and exams completed in high school using our transfer credit database. 

Early College Students

View application options for North Carolina high school students studying at an early college.  

Already applied? Log in to wolfPAW to check your application status.  

High School Counselors and Community-Based Organizations

High school counselors and CBO’s play a vital role in a student’s college selection and application processes. We are here to do everything we can to support you.

After You Apply

Check your email.

After you submit your application to NC State, you will receive an email with credentials to log in to wolfPAW , your applicant portal. Please note: it may take up to 24 hours after you submit your application for you to receive wolfPAW log in credentials . Here, you can check for missing items and stay up-to-date on the status of your application.

We encourage you to check your email often , as we may email you about additional items needed to complete your application. Using your school-assigned email address? Sometimes our emails may be blocked by the server, so we recommend using a non-school email to receive our communications.

Submit the FAFSA

You don’t need to wait for an official admission decision to submit your FAFSA , and we encourage students to apply as soon as possible .

• Priority filing date for NC State: March 1
• NC State school code: 002972

View Your Decision

You will be notified of your admission decision on your wolfPAW account. If you completed your application on time and submitted all required materials by the deadline, you will receive a decision on the notification date corresponding to the application deadline for the semester you applied for.

Types of Decisions

• Admit – Some students we are able to admit right away. Head to our admitted student page to learn about next steps for joining the Wolfpack family, a view the New Student Checklist here .
• Defer – When we review applications, we find some applicants who may benefit from the opportunity to provide improved fall grades before receiving a final decision in March.
• Waitlist – We are unable to admit all qualified students into our class. Some applicants are placed on the waitlist who we believe would be successful at NC State if space is available.
• Deny – Unfortunately, some students will not be considered competitive for first-year admission. We encourage denied applicants to consider applying to NC State in the future as a transfer applicant .

Prepare to Apply

Many factors go into choosing the right college for you. It’s never too early to start thinking about your future and creating a plan for success. We consider your academic record beginning with the ninth grade and encourage you to make the most of your time in high school by doing the following.

• Identify your academic interests – NC State offers 100+ majors and minors in a wide variety of academic fields.
• Explore your personal interests – Many times, your personal and academic interests influence each other. NC State is home to more than 600 student organizations to help you find your Wolfpack.
• Challenge yourself in the classroom – Schools offer a variety of curricula. In addition to taking at least the  UNC minimum course requirements , we recommend students take challenging courses. For students applying to STEM or business majors, this usually means taking precalculus as one of their mathematics courses. When given the opportunity we encourage students to take calculus. While first year students applying to NC State for fall 2024 or a later semester are no longer required to take two units of world language, the completion of two sequential world language courses is recommended to satisfy the NC State General Education Program’s Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement.   If a student does not take two sequential units of a world language in high school those two additional courses must come from English, mathematics, science, social studies or computer science.

Pre-college resources

We offer pre-college programs to help you prepare for college while also experiencing life at NC State.

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Planning for College Guide

Your journey to college begins in high school. Use this college road map to navigate your road to success.

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Eligibility

Understanding if you are eligible for readmission is the starting point for your journey back to Charlotte. You would need to apply for undergraduate readmission if you:

EARNED YOUR FIRST DEGREE AT UNC CHARLOTTE and would like to return to earn a minor, second major, or second degree.

Second degree seeking students cannot apply as an undecided major. You must choose a major during the readmission application process if you will be seeking a second bachelor’s degree.

ARE A PREVIOUS DEGREE-SEEKING STUDENT who transferred out of UNC Charlotte, did not complete a degree elsewhere and now you want to return or have earned your first bachelor’s degree at another institution and want to return to Charlotte for another undergraduate program.*

HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY PLACED ON ACADEMIC SUSPENSION or Disciplinary Suspension. Read more about readmission qualifications after being suspended .

HAVE NOT BEEN ENROLLED FOR 12 CONSECUTIVE MONTHS after the semester last attended at UNC Charlotte.

Example: You attended the Spring 2022 semester and did not enroll by the Spring 2023 semester.

READMIT STUDENTS ARE FORMER DEGREE-SEEKING UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS OF UNC CHARLOTTE.

If you have never been a degree-seeking undergraduate student at UNC Charlotte, you should NOT apply for readmission ; however, one of the following scenarios may apply to you.

I AM NOT A FORMER DEGREE-SEEKING UNC CHARLOTTE STUDENT…

Apply for undergraduate admission as a new student.

Apply for undergraduate admission as a visiting student. You apply to be a visiting student with Undergraduate Admissions even if you have been a visiting student at UNC Charlotte previously.

Apply as a post-baccalaureate student with Graduate Admissions. The post-bac admissions type is only available for students who have previously earned a bachelor’s degree.

Visit the Graduate Admissions website for more information about applying for graduate admission into certificate, master’s and doctoral programs.

University of North Carolina at Charlotte 2023-24 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Regular Decision Deadline: Feb 1

You Have: 

University of North Carolina at Charlotte 2023-24 Application Essay Question Explanation

The Requirements: Why

Supplemental Essay Type(s): 1 essay of 250 words

Please describe why you are interested in attending UNC Charlotte. Your statement lets us get to know you beyond your coursework and test scores. Your response will distinguish you from other qualified candidates within the applicant pool. (250 words)

The admissions department at UNC Charlotte wants to get to know you beyond your GPA, test scores, and classes. Admissions essays are a way to humanize your application, to let admissions know who you are and what it’s like to spend time with you, so in your response to this prompt, you’re going to want to do exactly that. What is it about University of North Carolina at Charlotte that lead you to apply? Does UNC Charlotte offer a major that most other schools in the region do not? Has your older sibling been talking nonstop about what a blast they’re having on campus, and you want in on the fun? Which clubs and organizations can you see yourself joining when you get to campus? Let your authentic voice shine through and admissions is bound to be impressed.

About Kat Stubing

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