Just today Carolina was named as the number one value in American public higher education according to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine because of its stellar academics, reasonable sticker price and generous financial aid.
For the 12th time in a row, Carolina ranked first on Kiplinger’s list of the 100 universities and colleges that provide the best value to in-state students. The magazine also listed Carolina second for the best value offered to out-of-state students.
Kiplinger’s periodically has ranked the best public campus values since 1998; Carolina has been first every time. The new ranking appears in the February issue, posted today (Dec. 27).
“Access and affordability are what allow us to attract great students from a broad range of backgrounds with different interests and different career goals,” said UNC Chancellor Holden Thorp. “I can’t think of an aspect of this University that is more crucial to who we are. It’s the marriage of that with the academic excellence that creates the environment and the unique nature of Carolina.”
Read more.
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
For Ben in the UK
Earlier this year, our intern Will Rimer made a few videos featuring the admissions counselors. One of the questions he asked us was "If you could be a Carolina student for a day, what would you do?" One of our counselors, Patty Baum, responded that she would take all the courses she wanted to take but couldn't fit into her four years at Carolina. We heard from one student, Ben in the UK, who wanted more specifics--exactly what courses would she take if she could be a student again?
So Will asked her just that, and this is what she had to say. As always, if you'd like to peruse the many courses that are available at Carolina, you can check out the Undergraduate Bulletin.
So Will asked her just that, and this is what she had to say. As always, if you'd like to peruse the many courses that are available at Carolina, you can check out the Undergraduate Bulletin.
Friday, December 14, 2012
Carolina Celebrates
See. You learn something new every day. So now that you know it exists, you can probably understand why at Carolina, we believe this is cause for celebration. Stress is an unavoidable part of life. The key is finding healthy options for managing and relieving it. Luckily, Carolina has that covered. From two multipurpose gyms to test-prep services to a beautiful arboretum, there are plenty of ways to get through even the most stressful of times without even breaking a sweat.
Check out MyCarolina to learrn how Tar Heels minimize stress, and please remember to keep calm. It will all work out in the end.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Stress can be a real "Bear"
This time of year seems to lend itself to feeling stressed. From homework to application deadlines to the utter agony of waiting to hear back from the schools you've applied to, you have a lot on your plate - and we haven't even gotten to the Mayan apocalypse yet.
Here at Carolina, we're feeling the pressure, too. Today is a "reading day" for students: classes ended yesterday and final exams start tomorrow, so all across campus, Tar Heels are burrowed into their books. Davis Library is even tweeting status reports for those searching for a study spot:
For the admissions committee this time of year, almost every day has to be a reading day. Because we don't make decisions based off any one factor like your GPA or your test scores, it takes time to build our class. We know this can be frustrating and can leave you wondering why this all takes so long. We know that with the approach of our Regular Decision deadline on January 7 and the release of Early Action decisions at the end of January, your stress levels are going to creep up over the next few weeks. But in the spirit of keeping calm, here are a few tips from Bear, one of several therapy dogs on campus today and next week:
For the admissions committee this time of year, almost every day has to be a reading day. Because we don't make decisions based off any one factor like your GPA or your test scores, it takes time to build our class. We know this can be frustrating and can leave you wondering why this all takes so long. We know that with the approach of our Regular Decision deadline on January 7 and the release of Early Action decisions at the end of January, your stress levels are going to creep up over the next few weeks. But in the spirit of keeping calm, here are a few tips from Bear, one of several therapy dogs on campus today and next week: |
| Feeling tired? Be sure to get enough sleep. |
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| Don't forget to eat healthily, either. |
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| Ask for a helping hand. |
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| Remember, stress is a normal part of life... |
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| ...but we're all in this together. |
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| (I don't actually have a caption for this one; I just really like puppy cheeks.) |
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Join our New Facebook Group: UNC Academics 4-1-1
Join the discussion on Facebook!
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Our 48th Rhodes Scholar, Rachel Myrick
On campus, she serves as the student body vice president and was the driving force behind last year's very successful TEDxUNC conference. She'll also graduate as both a Public Service Scholar and a Carolina Research Scholar.
Rachel plans to use her Rhodes Scholarship to pursue a master’s degree in international relations, studying the causes and consequences of ethnic conflict in world politics. Read more about Rachel.
Monday, November 19, 2012
Early Action Applicants: Is Your Application Complete?
This weekend, we sent out emails to Early Action applicants whose applications are still missing critical items. If you get one of these emails, DON'T PANIC! But do take action! The first thing you should do is read the entire email (you'd be surprised how many people don't do this). The email has very clear instructions on how to follow up on your application materials to make sure they get to us quickly.
Whether or not you received the email this weekend, it's easy to check the status of your application and your submitted materials online. Here's how:
Log into MyCarolina for Applicants. You'll log in with the UNC Guest ID and password that you created after you submitted your application. If you haven't created a Guest ID yet, go back to the email we sent you when you submitted your application and follow the instructions. (And if you don't have the email anymore, email us at unchelp@admissions.unc.edu and we'll re-send it.)
Once you log into MyCarolina you should see this:
Click on "Connect Carolina Student Center" to view your application information. Once you do that, you'll go straight to your Student Center, which looks like this:
Your To Do List is in the right-hand column. Click on "Admissions Items" to find out which items are missing from your application.
If you did get the email regarding missing items, we're asking that you re-send any materials that were sent before November 14. It's a good idea to double-check your To-Do List before re-sending anything, as it's possible the materials have been received in the past few days. Also, if you sent your items electronically through the Common App, Naviance, Docufide, or CFNC but they're still showing up on your To-Do List, give us a call or email us. It's possible that we have the materials but weren't able to link them to your application (this happens sometimes if your identifying information--name, email, address--doesn't match what we have on file).
Transcripts must be official copies sent by mail or secure electronic submission and test scores must come directly from the testing service, but all other materials may be submitted by email to uncsubmit@admissions.unc.edu.
As I said before, don't panic! We still want to consider you for Early Action and there's still time to get your missing materials in. But we can't review your application until we have all of the required items. If we haven't received everything by the end of the month, we'll either go ahead and review your application based on the material we have or unfortunately, we'll need to withdraw your application from consideration.
Questions? Leave a comment below, or if you have a specific question about your application or a submitted document, email us at unchelp@admissions.unc.edu or give us a call at (919) 966-3621.
Whether or not you received the email this weekend, it's easy to check the status of your application and your submitted materials online. Here's how:
Log into MyCarolina for Applicants. You'll log in with the UNC Guest ID and password that you created after you submitted your application. If you haven't created a Guest ID yet, go back to the email we sent you when you submitted your application and follow the instructions. (And if you don't have the email anymore, email us at unchelp@admissions.unc.edu and we'll re-send it.)
Once you log into MyCarolina you should see this:
Click on "Connect Carolina Student Center" to view your application information. Once you do that, you'll go straight to your Student Center, which looks like this:
Your To Do List is in the right-hand column. Click on "Admissions Items" to find out which items are missing from your application.
If you did get the email regarding missing items, we're asking that you re-send any materials that were sent before November 14. It's a good idea to double-check your To-Do List before re-sending anything, as it's possible the materials have been received in the past few days. Also, if you sent your items electronically through the Common App, Naviance, Docufide, or CFNC but they're still showing up on your To-Do List, give us a call or email us. It's possible that we have the materials but weren't able to link them to your application (this happens sometimes if your identifying information--name, email, address--doesn't match what we have on file).
Transcripts must be official copies sent by mail or secure electronic submission and test scores must come directly from the testing service, but all other materials may be submitted by email to uncsubmit@admissions.unc.edu.
As I said before, don't panic! We still want to consider you for Early Action and there's still time to get your missing materials in. But we can't review your application until we have all of the required items. If we haven't received everything by the end of the month, we'll either go ahead and review your application based on the material we have or unfortunately, we'll need to withdraw your application from consideration.
Questions? Leave a comment below, or if you have a specific question about your application or a submitted document, email us at unchelp@admissions.unc.edu or give us a call at (919) 966-3621.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Q&A with Assured Education Student Stephanie Cassell
Today's Q&A is with Stephanie Cassell, a first-year from Mint Hill, NC who is a student in the Assured Admission program in the School of Education. Last year was our first year offering assured admission to the education program, so Stephanie is a part of the inaugural class. Assured Education students are able to start their education coursework early with a special first-year seminar and other classes. It's just one of the nine special opportunities that we offer each year to enrolling first-year students. (Get more info about these opportunities in this blog post from last year.)
What do you hope to do with your degree in education? What experiences have led you to this field?
With my degree in mathematics education, I plan to be a high school math teacher in North Carolina. Currently I am open to teaching any type of high school math once I become a teacher. Quite a few experiences led me to this field. I knew that I wanted to teach when I taught classes at my church, and I knew that I wanted to teach math because it was my favorite subject. I was also a tutor for a few years. I tutored students who were in the 3rd grade all the way up to 11th grade students. I loved tutoring. Many parents cosigned on my dream to be a teacher when they would tell me how their child’s success in math was partially my responsibility. I also took two years of Teacher Cadet. Teacher Cadet introduced me to the different forms of teaching and the many different types of teachers.
What are some of the benefits of being in the Assured Education program?
One of the benefits of being in the Assured Education Program is that I am able to take education courses during my freshman year. By being able to take education classes during my freshman year, I have more time to decide if education is truly the field for me. By taking education courses early, I am also able to network with those who have worked in the education field and I can possibly meet a future mentor.
Any study abroad, internship, extracurricular, or other interesting experiences you’ve had or plan to pursue?
In the near future, I plan to tutor students in nearby high schools in the subject of math. Also, here at Carolina, students are able to take some math courses abroad. It would be very interesting to take a class in my favorite subject while being in a country that I have never visited before.
What else would you tell prospective students who are considering Carolina?
I would tell future students that there is something for everyone here at Carolina. No matter what a student’s interests may be, there is a club or a group for it. If there is no group already formed, there is a great chance that there are a group of people who have the same interests as you. I would also tell prospective students that there are so many resources on campus to help students succeed. For example, there are resources ranging from a writing center to multiple tutoring services. Finally, there are many ways for students to improve themselves outside of the classroom. There are sessions that focus on improving study skills as well as improving reading speed. By taking one of the study skill sessions, I have gained multiple tips on how to take better notes and how to prepare for exams. Not only can students improve their minds but their bodies as well. There are multiple places to work out that offer a variety of group fitness classes. Some personal favorites of mine are Zumba and belly dancing. Here at Carolina, you can do it all!
With my degree in mathematics education, I plan to be a high school math teacher in North Carolina. Currently I am open to teaching any type of high school math once I become a teacher. Quite a few experiences led me to this field. I knew that I wanted to teach when I taught classes at my church, and I knew that I wanted to teach math because it was my favorite subject. I was also a tutor for a few years. I tutored students who were in the 3rd grade all the way up to 11th grade students. I loved tutoring. Many parents cosigned on my dream to be a teacher when they would tell me how their child’s success in math was partially my responsibility. I also took two years of Teacher Cadet. Teacher Cadet introduced me to the different forms of teaching and the many different types of teachers.
What are some of the benefits of being in the Assured Education program?
One of the benefits of being in the Assured Education Program is that I am able to take education courses during my freshman year. By being able to take education classes during my freshman year, I have more time to decide if education is truly the field for me. By taking education courses early, I am also able to network with those who have worked in the education field and I can possibly meet a future mentor.
Any study abroad, internship, extracurricular, or other interesting experiences you’ve had or plan to pursue?In the near future, I plan to tutor students in nearby high schools in the subject of math. Also, here at Carolina, students are able to take some math courses abroad. It would be very interesting to take a class in my favorite subject while being in a country that I have never visited before.
I would tell future students that there is something for everyone here at Carolina. No matter what a student’s interests may be, there is a club or a group for it. If there is no group already formed, there is a great chance that there are a group of people who have the same interests as you. I would also tell prospective students that there are so many resources on campus to help students succeed. For example, there are resources ranging from a writing center to multiple tutoring services. Finally, there are many ways for students to improve themselves outside of the classroom. There are sessions that focus on improving study skills as well as improving reading speed. By taking one of the study skill sessions, I have gained multiple tips on how to take better notes and how to prepare for exams. Not only can students improve their minds but their bodies as well. There are multiple places to work out that offer a variety of group fitness classes. Some personal favorites of mine are Zumba and belly dancing. Here at Carolina, you can do it all!
Monday, November 12, 2012
Q&A with Assured Business Student May Chang
Today we have a Q&A with May Chang, a sophomore from Plainsboro, NJ who is a student in the Assured Admission program in the Kenan-Flagler Business School. The Assured Business program is one of nine special opportunities that we offer to enrolling first-year students. (Get more info about these opportunities in this blog post from last year.) Thank you, May, for sharing your experiences with us!
How did you choose to study business and what would you like to do with your degree?
In high school, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to study, I only knew what I didn’t want to study. Eventually I realized that I wanted to do business because I liked interacting with people, and knew business was applicable to everything and was a necessary skill not only for jobs, but also for managing personal finances.
As I was exposed to the business school at UNC, I discovered that I wanted to focus on marketing and finance; I’m interested in how people think and how their backgrounds, values, and beliefs impact their purchasing decisions, and enjoy working with numbers. As of now, I only have a hazy idea of what I would like to do after graduation – I’m considering working within a marketing or finance department of a corporation then branching out to international locations, and later use my business knowledge and apply it to a job within the U.S. government. As I go through my studies, I feel that my classes and experiences will help better shape what I want to do with my degree.
What are some of the benefits of being in the Assured Business program?
The best thing about being in the Assured Admit Program is the early exposure to Kenan-Flagler’s culture and community through the classes, the professors, and the students. I had the opportunity to take classes at KFBS early on and loved interacting with business school professors as well as learning about the different aspects of business, which solidified my desire to study business. You can’t put a numerical value to how beneficial the early exposure is – you can see the intelligence and drive that the students possess and attend the social and professional events that KFBS hosts. Because I was an Assured Admit, I was able to establish a connection and relationship with KFBS early on in my undergraduate year.
As an Assured Admit, I was required to take two business school classes specifically organized for first-year students to teach us about the different areas of business. We not only learned about what business was, but also about ourselves – what our strengths and weaknesses were, how we could improve our public speaking skills, and how we could develop as a leader. There were several workshops that I participated in to develop my hard and soft skills, as well as to go over my resume. Mr. Mur’ray, the head of undergraduate business, brought in several speakers from companies as well which was quite interesting.
Being an Assured Admit also allows you to participate in some KFBS activities that normal first-years and sophomores can’t do such as the Global Immersion Electives and Undergraduate Business Symposium. You also are able to start working on the core curriculum for the business major as early as fall semester sophomore year.
Any study abroad, internships, or other interesting experiences you’ve had or plan to pursue?
As an Assured Admit, I had the opportunity to participate in one of Kenan-Flagler Business School’s Global Immersion Elective (GIE) Programs as a first-year student. Last semester, I traveled with 30 other business school students to Dubai and Abu Dhabi over spring break to study business in the Middle East.
It was a truly fantastic educational and travel experience – it was amazing to see how rapidly Dubai and Abu Dhabi are growing and the amount of modernization that has occurred in Middle Eastern business practices and the city scape.
We met with several prominent companies in the area, including Emirates Airlines, and heard their executives speak about their companies’ growth and future goals. In my free time, I went to the beach, sampled some of the different restaurants, went on a scavenger hunt around the entire city, rode a camel, and went dune bashing and sand boarding. I had a great time bonding with my peers and learning about Middle Eastern culture. Next fall, I plan on studying abroad for a semester because I believe that it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that you only get when you’re at college.
One of the things I do on campus is represent General Mills as their Campus Ambassador. I act as a liaison between the company’s headquarters and recruiting team and UNC, letting students and staff understand who General Mills is, what they do as a company, and what opportunities they offer for undergraduate students. It is one of the best jobs I have had at Carolina and has given me an incredible amount of exposure to General Mills. I organize information sessions and work at the career fairs throughout the school year. I also give out free samples across campus and am known as the “General Mills girl”!
One of the best things about Carolina is that there are so many exciting opportunities to pursue and activities to try out – you just have to be proactive about it. I’ve built an strong base here at Carolina with the Club Cross country team, UNC Campus Recreation, and the Delta Sigma Pi business fraternity just to name a few.
What else would you tell prospective students who are considering Carolina?
If you’re hesitant, come to Carolina and get a tour or better yet, reach out to a student who is pursuing something that interests you and spend the day with them – go to their classes, walk with them to wherever they are going, and grab a meal with them. That way, you really get a feel of what it’s like to be a part of the Carolina community. Make sure that you not only fit Carolina, but Carolina fits you. In the end, it is you, not your parents or friends, that will be at this amazing university for the next four years. Also, take the time to enjoy and have fun during your senior year of high school – don’t stress too much!
 |
| Camel Riding in Dubai |
In high school, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to study, I only knew what I didn’t want to study. Eventually I realized that I wanted to do business because I liked interacting with people, and knew business was applicable to everything and was a necessary skill not only for jobs, but also for managing personal finances.
As I was exposed to the business school at UNC, I discovered that I wanted to focus on marketing and finance; I’m interested in how people think and how their backgrounds, values, and beliefs impact their purchasing decisions, and enjoy working with numbers. As of now, I only have a hazy idea of what I would like to do after graduation – I’m considering working within a marketing or finance department of a corporation then branching out to international locations, and later use my business knowledge and apply it to a job within the U.S. government. As I go through my studies, I feel that my classes and experiences will help better shape what I want to do with my degree.
What are some of the benefits of being in the Assured Business program?
The best thing about being in the Assured Admit Program is the early exposure to Kenan-Flagler’s culture and community through the classes, the professors, and the students. I had the opportunity to take classes at KFBS early on and loved interacting with business school professors as well as learning about the different aspects of business, which solidified my desire to study business. You can’t put a numerical value to how beneficial the early exposure is – you can see the intelligence and drive that the students possess and attend the social and professional events that KFBS hosts. Because I was an Assured Admit, I was able to establish a connection and relationship with KFBS early on in my undergraduate year.
 |
| KFBS Undergraduate Business Symposium |
Being an Assured Admit also allows you to participate in some KFBS activities that normal first-years and sophomores can’t do such as the Global Immersion Electives and Undergraduate Business Symposium. You also are able to start working on the core curriculum for the business major as early as fall semester sophomore year.
Any study abroad, internships, or other interesting experiences you’ve had or plan to pursue?
 |
| KFBS Students at Dubai Media Center |
It was a truly fantastic educational and travel experience – it was amazing to see how rapidly Dubai and Abu Dhabi are growing and the amount of modernization that has occurred in Middle Eastern business practices and the city scape.
We met with several prominent companies in the area, including Emirates Airlines, and heard their executives speak about their companies’ growth and future goals. In my free time, I went to the beach, sampled some of the different restaurants, went on a scavenger hunt around the entire city, rode a camel, and went dune bashing and sand boarding. I had a great time bonding with my peers and learning about Middle Eastern culture. Next fall, I plan on studying abroad for a semester because I believe that it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that you only get when you’re at college.
One of the things I do on campus is represent General Mills as their Campus Ambassador. I act as a liaison between the company’s headquarters and recruiting team and UNC, letting students and staff understand who General Mills is, what they do as a company, and what opportunities they offer for undergraduate students. It is one of the best jobs I have had at Carolina and has given me an incredible amount of exposure to General Mills. I organize information sessions and work at the career fairs throughout the school year. I also give out free samples across campus and am known as the “General Mills girl”!
 |
| UNC Club XC Women -- Southeast Regional Champions |
What else would you tell prospective students who are considering Carolina?
If you’re hesitant, come to Carolina and get a tour or better yet, reach out to a student who is pursuing something that interests you and spend the day with them – go to their classes, walk with them to wherever they are going, and grab a meal with them. That way, you really get a feel of what it’s like to be a part of the Carolina community. Make sure that you not only fit Carolina, but Carolina fits you. In the end, it is you, not your parents or friends, that will be at this amazing university for the next four years. Also, take the time to enjoy and have fun during your senior year of high school – don’t stress too much!
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Dinner with a Carolina Alum
Song of the Day: “Monster Mash,” Bobby Pickett
Hello, admissions intern Will Rimer again. UNC has many famous alumni. There’s a lengthy Wikipeia entry about them all. I suggest you give it a read, although it might take you a while.
If you could eat dinner with just one of them, who would it be? Tough question, right? Well, I asked the admissions counselors. They thought it was a pretty difficult too, but below you’ll find what they think.
Who would you choose? Let me know, and if you have any questions you’d like to ask admissions counselors, tell me.
PS-My choice: Thomas Wolfe, Billy Crudop, Adam Greenberg, Rick Fox, Andy Griffith, Stuart Scott, Davis Love III, Bomani Jones, Woody Durham, Charles Kuralt, Jim Lampley, Walt Weiss, Rob Nelson, James K. Polk, Rasheed Wallace ….
PPS-Yes, I know that’s more than one, but I make the rules, so I get to choose.
PPPS-Yes, I want to be a sports broadcaster.
Hello, admissions intern Will Rimer again. UNC has many famous alumni. There’s a lengthy Wikipeia entry about them all. I suggest you give it a read, although it might take you a while.
If you could eat dinner with just one of them, who would it be? Tough question, right? Well, I asked the admissions counselors. They thought it was a pretty difficult too, but below you’ll find what they think.
Who would you choose? Let me know, and if you have any questions you’d like to ask admissions counselors, tell me.
PS-My choice: Thomas Wolfe, Billy Crudop, Adam Greenberg, Rick Fox, Andy Griffith, Stuart Scott, Davis Love III, Bomani Jones, Woody Durham, Charles Kuralt, Jim Lampley, Walt Weiss, Rob Nelson, James K. Polk, Rasheed Wallace ….
PPS-Yes, I know that’s more than one, but I make the rules, so I get to choose.
PPPS-Yes, I want to be a sports broadcaster.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
EA Update and this Week's FAQs
Thanks to all who submitted their applications for the Early Action deadline. We received about 15,000 applications, and we're now hard at work reviewing them. At this point, all EA applicants should have received the email with instructions on how to create your Guest ID so that you can sign into MyCarolina and review the status of your application and supplemental materials. (This email goes out within a few days after you submit your application.) From your Student Center, you can view your Admissions To-Do List which will list any outstanding application materials. You can also scroll to the bottom of the page to view the official test scores we've received.
As you check your To-Do List, please keep in mind that it can take us a bit of time to link submitted materials to your application. If materials are sent separately from the rest of your application (especially via postal mail), it can take several weeks for us to link these documents to your application and update your To-Do List. There's no need to contact us about missing items unless it's been more than four weeks since you submitted them. In all likelihood, your To-Do List will update in good time.
Below are some of the FAQs we're getting this week. Let us know what other questions you have! (But first you might want to check out our previous FAQ post, as you may find the answer to your question there). Thanks!
I already submitted my application. Can I add information to it now?
If you have an important addition or revision to your application, feel free to email it to us at uncsubmit@admissions.unc.edu. Please include your full name and birth date so we can easily link this information to your application.
Do I need to send an official AP score report?
Supplemental testing, including AP, IB, and SAT II testing, is entirely optional, so it's up to you whether you'd like us to consider this information. We don't need an official score report for the admissions review, you can self-report these scores on your application. However, keep in mind that if you are admitted and choose to enroll at Carolina, we'll need the official score report in order to award placement/credit for the scores.
I'm planning to change my course schedule. Do I need to notify UNC?
Yes. It's important that you let us know if you make any changes to your schedule after submitting your application. Email us at schedule@admissions.unc.edu and let us know what changes you've made to your schedule, as well as the reason for the change. We'll include this information with your application.
As you check your To-Do List, please keep in mind that it can take us a bit of time to link submitted materials to your application. If materials are sent separately from the rest of your application (especially via postal mail), it can take several weeks for us to link these documents to your application and update your To-Do List. There's no need to contact us about missing items unless it's been more than four weeks since you submitted them. In all likelihood, your To-Do List will update in good time.
Below are some of the FAQs we're getting this week. Let us know what other questions you have! (But first you might want to check out our previous FAQ post, as you may find the answer to your question there). Thanks!
I already submitted my application. Can I add information to it now?
If you have an important addition or revision to your application, feel free to email it to us at uncsubmit@admissions.unc.edu. Please include your full name and birth date so we can easily link this information to your application.
Do I need to send an official AP score report?
Supplemental testing, including AP, IB, and SAT II testing, is entirely optional, so it's up to you whether you'd like us to consider this information. We don't need an official score report for the admissions review, you can self-report these scores on your application. However, keep in mind that if you are admitted and choose to enroll at Carolina, we'll need the official score report in order to award placement/credit for the scores.
I'm planning to change my course schedule. Do I need to notify UNC?
Yes. It's important that you let us know if you make any changes to your schedule after submitting your application. Email us at schedule@admissions.unc.edu and let us know what changes you've made to your schedule, as well as the reason for the change. We'll include this information with your application.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Q&A with Assured Journalism Student Thomas Gooding
Next up in our Q&A series: the Assured Journalism program. Through Assured Journalism, students not only get assured admission to the J-school, but early exposure to all the resources within the school and special coursework that allows them to jump-start their studies. To tell us more about the program, here's Thomas Gooding, a first-year from High Point, NC. (Get more info about all nine special opportunities that we offer to incoming first-year students here and here.)
What do you hope to do with your degree in journalism?
I plan to pursue a specialization in reporting, multimedia or electronic communication. With my degree, I hope to investigate human rights and international conflict as a reporter or foreign correspondent for a national news organization.
What past experiences made you want to study journalism?
My mom is a graduate of the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Journalism, and her experiences as a reporter have inspired me to pursue a career as a journalist. She helped convey the significant influence of journalism in facilitating conversation and inspiring change.
In addition, many experiences in high school nurtured my interest in journalism. I had the opportunity to write a monthly opinion column for my local paper, through which I realized the value of challenging readers to consider important issues that affect our community. Overall, my experiences helped me understand the importance of informing the world and thus fostering positive change.
What are some of the benefits of being in the Assured Journalism program?
Students in the program have the opportunity to explore the field early in their careers at UNC-Chapel Hill. A wonderful benefit of the program is the opportunity to interact with top professors at the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, which allows students to build relationships and gain the individual attention necessary to excel at the school. The program challenges students to think creatively and profoundly, gain new perspectives of mass communication and discover their potential as journalists. Through the Assured Journalism program, I have developed confidence as a student and gained an opportunity to pursue my goals in my first year of college.
Any study abroad, internship, extracurricular, or other interesting experiences you’ve had or plan to pursue?
The opportunities available through the Assured Journalism program and the School of Journalism and Mass Communication are many. I hope to write for The Daily Tar Heel, the student-run newspaper at UNC-Chapel Hill, which has earned numerous national awards and honors. I also hope to participate in broadcast and multimedia journalism through Carolina Week and Reese News.
Academically, the school offers a unique opportunity in conjunction with UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School to pursue business journalism. It is just one of the many specializations offered, from photojournalism to electronic communication.
In addition, I would love to take advantage of the study abroad opportunity in London, which boasts state-of-the-art multimedia studios and contact with professionals from the BBC, The Times and The Guardian. The study abroad programs in Spain, Argentina, France and Australia are also exceptional opportunities.
Why did you choose Carolina?
The liberal arts education that Carolina offers can be summed up in one word: opportunity. The diversity of disciplines and fields of study at Carolina allows students to explore beyond their immediate interests and discover their greatest passions. It allows students to learn how to think critically, search for innovative solutions to problems and make important decisions.
Community and diversity are incredible aspects of the Carolina family. Not only racial and cultural diversity, but also diversity of study, opportunity, and exposure to new ideas and issues. At Carolina, students know that they can be themselves. We celebrate the value of each individual and the uniqueness of his or her background.
Most importantly, the Carolina family is dedicated to helping students and faculty succeed. Opportunities inside the classroom and in the community, local and international, provide every student with what it is he or she needs to excel. The Carolina community is dedicated to each Tar Heel with the trust that he or she will make a positive impact on the world.
What else would you tell prospective students who are interested in studying journalism at Carolina?
The UNC-Chapel Hill School of Journalism and Mass Communication is one of the most distinguished in the United States. Students in the school learn from top professors who have worked with major news organizations and come from diverse backgrounds of journalism experience. There are numerous opportunities on campus for students to immerse themselves in journalism. It is truly an exceptional and rewarding program.
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| Madison Morgan (left), Elizabeth Gooding, and me at Relay for Life on campus |
I plan to pursue a specialization in reporting, multimedia or electronic communication. With my degree, I hope to investigate human rights and international conflict as a reporter or foreign correspondent for a national news organization.
What past experiences made you want to study journalism?
My mom is a graduate of the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Journalism, and her experiences as a reporter have inspired me to pursue a career as a journalist. She helped convey the significant influence of journalism in facilitating conversation and inspiring change.
In addition, many experiences in high school nurtured my interest in journalism. I had the opportunity to write a monthly opinion column for my local paper, through which I realized the value of challenging readers to consider important issues that affect our community. Overall, my experiences helped me understand the importance of informing the world and thus fostering positive change.
What are some of the benefits of being in the Assured Journalism program?
Students in the program have the opportunity to explore the field early in their careers at UNC-Chapel Hill. A wonderful benefit of the program is the opportunity to interact with top professors at the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, which allows students to build relationships and gain the individual attention necessary to excel at the school. The program challenges students to think creatively and profoundly, gain new perspectives of mass communication and discover their potential as journalists. Through the Assured Journalism program, I have developed confidence as a student and gained an opportunity to pursue my goals in my first year of college.
Any study abroad, internship, extracurricular, or other interesting experiences you’ve had or plan to pursue?
The opportunities available through the Assured Journalism program and the School of Journalism and Mass Communication are many. I hope to write for The Daily Tar Heel, the student-run newspaper at UNC-Chapel Hill, which has earned numerous national awards and honors. I also hope to participate in broadcast and multimedia journalism through Carolina Week and Reese News.
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| Neha Kukreja, a fellow UNC student, and me in Alaska through a scholarship program at Carolina |
In addition, I would love to take advantage of the study abroad opportunity in London, which boasts state-of-the-art multimedia studios and contact with professionals from the BBC, The Times and The Guardian. The study abroad programs in Spain, Argentina, France and Australia are also exceptional opportunities.
Why did you choose Carolina?
The liberal arts education that Carolina offers can be summed up in one word: opportunity. The diversity of disciplines and fields of study at Carolina allows students to explore beyond their immediate interests and discover their greatest passions. It allows students to learn how to think critically, search for innovative solutions to problems and make important decisions.
Community and diversity are incredible aspects of the Carolina family. Not only racial and cultural diversity, but also diversity of study, opportunity, and exposure to new ideas and issues. At Carolina, students know that they can be themselves. We celebrate the value of each individual and the uniqueness of his or her background.
Most importantly, the Carolina family is dedicated to helping students and faculty succeed. Opportunities inside the classroom and in the community, local and international, provide every student with what it is he or she needs to excel. The Carolina community is dedicated to each Tar Heel with the trust that he or she will make a positive impact on the world.
What else would you tell prospective students who are interested in studying journalism at Carolina?
The UNC-Chapel Hill School of Journalism and Mass Communication is one of the most distinguished in the United States. Students in the school learn from top professors who have worked with major news organizations and come from diverse backgrounds of journalism experience. There are numerous opportunities on campus for students to immerse themselves in journalism. It is truly an exceptional and rewarding program.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Carolina Student for a Day
Admissions Intern Will is back today with another video featuring our admissions counselors--if you missed the first video in which we introduced ourselves, you can check it out here.
Song of the Day: “Another Day In Paradise,” Phil Collins
What would you do if you were a Carolina student for a day? I know what I do. Click here to read all about it. I spend a lot of time in Carroll Hall and other places, but my days are numbered. (Shhh! Don’t remind me.) I only have a few more days in paradise… err Chapel Hill. (Seriously! Shut up!) At least as a student. Who knows where I’ll be after I graduate. (That’s better.)
Find out what our admissions counselors would do, where they would go, what they would see if they could get out of Jackson Hall for 24 hours.
Tell us what you would do in the comments, and let us know what questions you want the admissions counselors to answer. I’ll make sure to ask them.
Song of the Day: “Another Day In Paradise,” Phil Collins
What would you do if you were a Carolina student for a day? I know what I do. Click here to read all about it. I spend a lot of time in Carroll Hall and other places, but my days are numbered. (Shhh! Don’t remind me.) I only have a few more days in paradise… err Chapel Hill. (Seriously! Shut up!) At least as a student. Who knows where I’ll be after I graduate. (That’s better.)
Find out what our admissions counselors would do, where they would go, what they would see if they could get out of Jackson Hall for 24 hours.
Tell us what you would do in the comments, and let us know what questions you want the admissions counselors to answer. I’ll make sure to ask them.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Q&A with Global Gap Fellow Maggie Armstrong
Ever consider a gap year? More students than ever are taking a year off after high school to travel, serve, and get some real-world experiences before starting college. Maggie Armstrong is a first-year student at Carolina who was in the inaugural class of Global Gap Year Fellows. This program, run by the Campus Y, awards $7500 to seven incoming first-year students to fund a gap year that combines international travel and service. The Campus Y also provides support and planning resources before, during, and after the gap year. Learn more about the Fellowship, and read on for Maggie's amazing stories of her gap year.
How did you decide to take a gap year? Did you have a hard time convincing your parents?
I decided to take a gap year for many reasons. Like many others, I was burnt out after a rigorous high school experience. I wanted to continue learning, but I desperately wanted to do so outside of the classroom. When I told my parents that I wanted to take a Gap Year they actually laughed. They were certain that I couldn't figure out how to finance the trip. They were also worried about my safety in a place that neither of us understood.
After months of research, assuring them that I was capable of handling myself, and receiving the Global Gap Year Fellowship, they were finally both on board. Once I had convinced them that a gap year was the right step for me my life got much easier.
Where did you go? What did you do?
I went to Yumen, Gansu, China, a small northwestern town located in the outskirts of the Gobi Desert. I was an oral English teacher in a public high school. I was a part of the Amity Young Teachers Program, a program consisting of 12 college-age students teaching in Gansu, China.
How did you fund your gap year?
I funded my gap year almost entirely with the Global Gap Year Fellowship.
Best day abroad?
My best day abroad was the day that I entered Lhasa, Tibet. After a thirty-seven hour train ride, I stepped out into a refreshingly cold city that was entirely different than anything I had previously experienced. Every winter Tibetan Buddhists go on pilgrimages to the holiest of Buddhist temples, such as Drepung Potala Palace. The winter is also a season devoid of tourists, because few people are enticed by the bitter cold of a Tibetan winter. As a result, I believe that I witnessed the most authentically holy and spiritual version of Tibet possible. The market streets of Lhasa were crammed with men and women performing daily prayer, and lively market people selling prayer flags, fruits for sacrifice, and jewelry. The monasteries were alive with elderly and young people alike praying aloud, chanting mantras and singing. The countryside was littered with devout Buddhists trekking to the nearest and the farthest temples. I knew in just my first day that I was witnessing something mind-numbingly authentic, spiritual, and human.
Toughest day abroad?
Honestly, my toughest day abroad was my first. Of course, as with any given period of time, there were many days to follow that were less than spectacular. However, looking back, the only day that I remember being truly scared, or bewildered, and the only day that I remember doubting my choice to go on a gap year was my first full day. Before I made my way to Yumen, the town that would later become my home, I spent four days in Nanjing, China meeting with and learning about my position from the Amity Foundation. The orientation with Amity was great, however, afterwards I was alone, in a strange city, in a strange country, that spoke a language that I knew nothing of. Unlike many countries, essentially no one in China speaks more than 10 words of English. This meant that I had no way to figure out where I was going, what I could do, or even what food I was eating. I found myself aimlessly wandering around the city, and while this was thrilling, and I at times I was elated with where I was, I was also terrified.
How did the Campus Y and the Fellowship resources help with support/planning/transition?
The best thing that the Fellowship has done for me is helping me transition into life at UNC. After spending a year abroad, learning on my feet, and experiencing cultures entirely different from my own, I find that I want to share how I have changed, what I have changed, and how I hope to change the world in the future. The Gappl, the Campus Y and the Fellowship have provided a great outlet for this, because the other people in my life can only deal with so much of this. I also find that these experiences have put me in a very different place than many of my classmates. I am thrilled that there is an established group of people who I know can relate to my struggles, my joys and my interests.
How did your time abroad change you and your outlook?
My single year abroad changed me more than any other time period in my entire life. Some of the changes are obvious. I am more relaxed. I can speak Chinese. I can barely go two days without craving tofu.Alternatively, some changes happened deep within me. I look at the world entirely differently than before. When someone does something strange, I am conscious to consider why they have done it, rather than how uncomfortable it is or how it affects me. I understand that differences in culture always come from something basic, and in that way even the strangest things have a beauty.
What would you tell prospective first-year students who are considering a gap year?
I would tell them to stop considering and start actively looking for a placement. I do not know a single person who regrets their gap year, and I know very few people who do not consider their gap year to be the most influential experience of their lives. I honestly wish that everyone would take gap years because they do great things for individuals and great things for the world.
Thank you, Maggie, for sharing your story with us!
I decided to take a gap year for many reasons. Like many others, I was burnt out after a rigorous high school experience. I wanted to continue learning, but I desperately wanted to do so outside of the classroom. When I told my parents that I wanted to take a Gap Year they actually laughed. They were certain that I couldn't figure out how to finance the trip. They were also worried about my safety in a place that neither of us understood.
After months of research, assuring them that I was capable of handling myself, and receiving the Global Gap Year Fellowship, they were finally both on board. Once I had convinced them that a gap year was the right step for me my life got much easier.
Where did you go? What did you do?
I went to Yumen, Gansu, China, a small northwestern town located in the outskirts of the Gobi Desert. I was an oral English teacher in a public high school. I was a part of the Amity Young Teachers Program, a program consisting of 12 college-age students teaching in Gansu, China.
How did you fund your gap year?
I funded my gap year almost entirely with the Global Gap Year Fellowship.
Best day abroad? My best day abroad was the day that I entered Lhasa, Tibet. After a thirty-seven hour train ride, I stepped out into a refreshingly cold city that was entirely different than anything I had previously experienced. Every winter Tibetan Buddhists go on pilgrimages to the holiest of Buddhist temples, such as Drepung Potala Palace. The winter is also a season devoid of tourists, because few people are enticed by the bitter cold of a Tibetan winter. As a result, I believe that I witnessed the most authentically holy and spiritual version of Tibet possible. The market streets of Lhasa were crammed with men and women performing daily prayer, and lively market people selling prayer flags, fruits for sacrifice, and jewelry. The monasteries were alive with elderly and young people alike praying aloud, chanting mantras and singing. The countryside was littered with devout Buddhists trekking to the nearest and the farthest temples. I knew in just my first day that I was witnessing something mind-numbingly authentic, spiritual, and human.
Toughest day abroad?
Honestly, my toughest day abroad was my first. Of course, as with any given period of time, there were many days to follow that were less than spectacular. However, looking back, the only day that I remember being truly scared, or bewildered, and the only day that I remember doubting my choice to go on a gap year was my first full day. Before I made my way to Yumen, the town that would later become my home, I spent four days in Nanjing, China meeting with and learning about my position from the Amity Foundation. The orientation with Amity was great, however, afterwards I was alone, in a strange city, in a strange country, that spoke a language that I knew nothing of. Unlike many countries, essentially no one in China speaks more than 10 words of English. This meant that I had no way to figure out where I was going, what I could do, or even what food I was eating. I found myself aimlessly wandering around the city, and while this was thrilling, and I at times I was elated with where I was, I was also terrified.
How did the Campus Y and the Fellowship resources help with support/planning/transition?The best thing that the Fellowship has done for me is helping me transition into life at UNC. After spending a year abroad, learning on my feet, and experiencing cultures entirely different from my own, I find that I want to share how I have changed, what I have changed, and how I hope to change the world in the future. The Gappl, the Campus Y and the Fellowship have provided a great outlet for this, because the other people in my life can only deal with so much of this. I also find that these experiences have put me in a very different place than many of my classmates. I am thrilled that there is an established group of people who I know can relate to my struggles, my joys and my interests.
How did your time abroad change you and your outlook?
My single year abroad changed me more than any other time period in my entire life. Some of the changes are obvious. I am more relaxed. I can speak Chinese. I can barely go two days without craving tofu.Alternatively, some changes happened deep within me. I look at the world entirely differently than before. When someone does something strange, I am conscious to consider why they have done it, rather than how uncomfortable it is or how it affects me. I understand that differences in culture always come from something basic, and in that way even the strangest things have a beauty.
What would you tell prospective first-year students who are considering a gap year?
I would tell them to stop considering and start actively looking for a placement. I do not know a single person who regrets their gap year, and I know very few people who do not consider their gap year to be the most influential experience of their lives. I honestly wish that everyone would take gap years because they do great things for individuals and great things for the world.
Thank you, Maggie, for sharing your story with us!
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Meet Melody Levy
Next up in our new staff introductions is Melody Levy. Welcome Melody!
Title: Assistant Director
Hometown: This is a tough question…I have lived in the Chapel Hill/Carrboro area since 2000, but previously I lived in upstate New York for 10 years. Before that, I moved a lot because my dad was in the military. I have made North Carolina my home, and my parents have since moved to Macon GA so that's my second home.
Alma Mater: UNC-Chapel Hill (bachelor’s in political science and African-American studies; master’s in education)
Time at Carolina: 12 years (six as a student; six as an employee)
Area of specialty in the office: I am the director of the Admissions Ambassadors program, which is our troop of 130 student volunteers who lead campus tours, sit on recruitment event panels, host visitors, and represent the best of Carolina!
Why I love my job: I get to serve my alma mater and work with incredible Carolina students (to recruit more incredible students to Carolina)!
Why I believe you should apply to Carolina: To be one of the incredible students I mentioned above. Carolina offers an outstanding academic experience at an affordable cost. Plus, our students make an indelible mark while enrolled and after graduation. Our students arrive well-rounded and leave more equipped and prepared to tackle their careers or graduate/professional school. This is what you can look forward to and the legacy that you can be a part of!
When out on recruiting trips, I like to: Live in the moment, enjoy the place I am visiting, and help students gather the information necessary to make the best decision about their educational journey.
If I didn't work in admissions, I would be: Creating children's books! I've actually self-published two titles already.
If I were a fictional character, I would be: A Marvel Comics super-heroine!
Favorite ice cream flavor: Strawberry cheesecake (and many others)
Favorite song to sing when I’m in the car by myself: Anything upbeat and/or uplifting that I know the words to
Hometown: This is a tough question…I have lived in the Chapel Hill/Carrboro area since 2000, but previously I lived in upstate New York for 10 years. Before that, I moved a lot because my dad was in the military. I have made North Carolina my home, and my parents have since moved to Macon GA so that's my second home.
Alma Mater: UNC-Chapel Hill (bachelor’s in political science and African-American studies; master’s in education)
Time at Carolina: 12 years (six as a student; six as an employee)
Area of specialty in the office: I am the director of the Admissions Ambassadors program, which is our troop of 130 student volunteers who lead campus tours, sit on recruitment event panels, host visitors, and represent the best of Carolina!
Why I love my job: I get to serve my alma mater and work with incredible Carolina students (to recruit more incredible students to Carolina)!
Why I believe you should apply to Carolina: To be one of the incredible students I mentioned above. Carolina offers an outstanding academic experience at an affordable cost. Plus, our students make an indelible mark while enrolled and after graduation. Our students arrive well-rounded and leave more equipped and prepared to tackle their careers or graduate/professional school. This is what you can look forward to and the legacy that you can be a part of!
When out on recruiting trips, I like to: Live in the moment, enjoy the place I am visiting, and help students gather the information necessary to make the best decision about their educational journey.
If I didn't work in admissions, I would be: Creating children's books! I've actually self-published two titles already.
If I were a fictional character, I would be: A Marvel Comics super-heroine!
Favorite ice cream flavor: Strawberry cheesecake (and many others)
Favorite song to sing when I’m in the car by myself: Anything upbeat and/or uplifting that I know the words to
Friday, October 12, 2012
Q&A with an Assured Business Student
Over the next couple weeks, I'll be sharing some Q&As with students who are taking part in some of the special opportunities that we offer to enrolling first-year students. (Get more info about these opportunities in this blog post from last year.) Today, we welcome Myles Robinson, a sophomore who is a part of the Assured Business Program offered by the Kenan-Flagler Business School.
How did you choose to study business and what would you like to do with your degree?
I was selected as a member of the Assured Admission Program during my freshman year. I'd like to concentrate in marketing and use my degree to work in the sports business industry. My ultimate goal is to become a marketing executive for an NBA franchise.
What are some of the benefits of being in the Assured Business program?
The biggest benefit of being in the program is the network one is able to build early in his or her academic career. Students have the ability to not only engage with Kenan-Flagler faculty and staff during their first year but also benefit from their peers in the Assured Admission class, who are some of the most talented young business leaders at Carolina. Through the various career and professional development sessions offered through the program, I’ve been able to discover my leadership capabilities and move in a positive direction in pursuit of my short-term and long-term goals.
Any study abroad, internships, or other interesting experiences you’ve had or plan to pursue?
As a member of the Minority Business Student Alliance (MBSA), a club with the Kenan-Flagler Business School, I was in charge of a six-person committee during my first year. Our team was instructed with creating a program catered to freshman students interested in gaining acceptance into the Kenan-Flagler Business School. With the help of my committee members and the utilization of my social media marketing skills on Facebook and Twitter, I was able to attract more than 75 freshman students to a standing-room only venue.
Moreover, the Assured Admission Program has afforded me the opportunity to stay abroad in Costa Rica during spring break and China during the summer. Lastly, I worked as a financial analyst intern for the Charlotte Bobcats (NBA team) during the summer.
What else would you tell prospective students who are considering Carolina?
When I began applying to prospective schools, UNC’s dedication to diversity and familial atmosphere attracted me the most. Although other schools may have African American, Asian American, Latin American, Native American, and Hispanics represented on their campus, I don’t think they integrate these groups like UNC does. The Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs intentionally recruits and targets minorities who are first generation college students and come from low income and rural backgrounds to come to campus.
But diversity here isn’t limited to race and/or socioeconomic condition. There’s a diversity of thought as well as background and geography. Whether I walk across the pit or walk into the Student Union for a quick study break, I constantly see students of different ethnicities and backgrounds intermingling with each other. So much of what people at Carolina learn, I’m discovering, they learn through their interrelations with one another. Having diversity on campus from students of such assorted backgrounds enhances the overall learning experience. Since day one, my feelings about the people here and the overall campus vibe haven’t changed. I think it’s important for prospective students to understand they really can find their own niche here at UNC-Chapel Hill.
I was selected as a member of the Assured Admission Program during my freshman year. I'd like to concentrate in marketing and use my degree to work in the sports business industry. My ultimate goal is to become a marketing executive for an NBA franchise.
What are some of the benefits of being in the Assured Business program?
The biggest benefit of being in the program is the network one is able to build early in his or her academic career. Students have the ability to not only engage with Kenan-Flagler faculty and staff during their first year but also benefit from their peers in the Assured Admission class, who are some of the most talented young business leaders at Carolina. Through the various career and professional development sessions offered through the program, I’ve been able to discover my leadership capabilities and move in a positive direction in pursuit of my short-term and long-term goals.
Any study abroad, internships, or other interesting experiences you’ve had or plan to pursue? As a member of the Minority Business Student Alliance (MBSA), a club with the Kenan-Flagler Business School, I was in charge of a six-person committee during my first year. Our team was instructed with creating a program catered to freshman students interested in gaining acceptance into the Kenan-Flagler Business School. With the help of my committee members and the utilization of my social media marketing skills on Facebook and Twitter, I was able to attract more than 75 freshman students to a standing-room only venue.
Moreover, the Assured Admission Program has afforded me the opportunity to stay abroad in Costa Rica during spring break and China during the summer. Lastly, I worked as a financial analyst intern for the Charlotte Bobcats (NBA team) during the summer.
What else would you tell prospective students who are considering Carolina?
When I began applying to prospective schools, UNC’s dedication to diversity and familial atmosphere attracted me the most. Although other schools may have African American, Asian American, Latin American, Native American, and Hispanics represented on their campus, I don’t think they integrate these groups like UNC does. The Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs intentionally recruits and targets minorities who are first generation college students and come from low income and rural backgrounds to come to campus.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Get to Know Admissions
Song of the Day: “Video Killed the Radio Star,” The Buggles
Everyone knows big, bad, evil UNC admissions, right? Well, now you get to see their big, bad, evil, smiling (… wait, what?) faces. That’s right. I’m Will Rimer, a senior at UNC. (No, I don’t have a job, and no I don’t know what I’m going to do for the rest of my life. I know what I want to do, but I haven’t met Emma Watson or Anna Kendrick yet, so we’ll see about that. PS-If you haven’t seen Pitch Perfect, kindly go to your nearest overpriced movie theater and watch it. Then come back and finish this.)
Right, about me. Well, I’m also a social media intern in the admissions office. I started all the way back in August. When I walked into Jackson Hall for the first time (yup, I’d never been inside the all-powerful Office of Undergraduate Admissions (did you read “all-powerful Office of Undergraduate Admissions” in the fear-inducing tone I intended you to read it in? No? Well, do it over again)), you know what I found? People. Real human beings actually work in admissions. And you know what? They’re actually pretty normal human beings too.
They’re just like us. They have names and are from all over the map and have lived in all kinds of places, like Chicago, Los Angeles and Belgium (wait a minute… Belgium)!
I think this video I put together by interviewing some admissions counselors will prove to you that they’re not as evil as you might think. They’re here to help, and they’re approachable. Just some of them after they’ve had their morning coffee.
I hope you enjoy it and let me know what questions you want to ask them. (If you don’t enjoy it, you will enjoy Pitch Perfect. It’s great. Have I told you that?)
Everyone knows big, bad, evil UNC admissions, right? Well, now you get to see their big, bad, evil, smiling (… wait, what?) faces. That’s right. I’m Will Rimer, a senior at UNC. (No, I don’t have a job, and no I don’t know what I’m going to do for the rest of my life. I know what I want to do, but I haven’t met Emma Watson or Anna Kendrick yet, so we’ll see about that. PS-If you haven’t seen Pitch Perfect, kindly go to your nearest overpriced movie theater and watch it. Then come back and finish this.)
Right, about me. Well, I’m also a social media intern in the admissions office. I started all the way back in August. When I walked into Jackson Hall for the first time (yup, I’d never been inside the all-powerful Office of Undergraduate Admissions (did you read “all-powerful Office of Undergraduate Admissions” in the fear-inducing tone I intended you to read it in? No? Well, do it over again)), you know what I found? People. Real human beings actually work in admissions. And you know what? They’re actually pretty normal human beings too.
They’re just like us. They have names and are from all over the map and have lived in all kinds of places, like Chicago, Los Angeles and Belgium (wait a minute… Belgium)!
I think this video I put together by interviewing some admissions counselors will prove to you that they’re not as evil as you might think. They’re here to help, and they’re approachable. Just some of them after they’ve had their morning coffee.
I hope you enjoy it and let me know what questions you want to ask them. (If you don’t enjoy it, you will enjoy Pitch Perfect. It’s great. Have I told you that?)
Monday, October 8, 2012
Meet David Hetrick
We've had several new members join our staff this fall, so we're introducing them here on the blog. We've already met Olivia Hammill and Brandon Carter and today we introduce David Hetrick, our third admissions representative. He's an alum of both UNC and the Carolina College Advising Corps, and we're so glad to have him working in our office.
Title: Admissions Representative
Hometown: Mount Airy, NC
Alma Mater: UNC-Chapel Hill
Time at Carolina: A little more than six years (four as a student, two as a Carolina College Advising Corps member, and three months in the Admissions Office)
Area of specialty in the office: Daily visit and recruitment travel
Why I love my job: Simply stated, I love telling people about Carolina.
Why I believe you should apply to Carolina: Carolina has a lot to offer á…³ great academics, friendly people, and an abundance of opportunities.
When out on recruiting trips, I like to: Sample the local cuisine.
If I didn't work in admissions, I would be: Trying to find a job in admissions.
If I were a fictional character, I would be: Aragorn from The Lord of the Rings
Favorite ice cream flavor: Cookie dough with M&Ms
Favorite song to sing when I’m in the car by myself: “Danny’s Song” by Loggins & Messina
Hometown: Mount Airy, NC
Alma Mater: UNC-Chapel Hill
Time at Carolina: A little more than six years (four as a student, two as a Carolina College Advising Corps member, and three months in the Admissions Office)
Area of specialty in the office: Daily visit and recruitment travel
Why I love my job: Simply stated, I love telling people about Carolina.
Why I believe you should apply to Carolina: Carolina has a lot to offer á…³ great academics, friendly people, and an abundance of opportunities.
When out on recruiting trips, I like to: Sample the local cuisine.
If I didn't work in admissions, I would be: Trying to find a job in admissions.
If I were a fictional character, I would be: Aragorn from The Lord of the Rings
Favorite ice cream flavor: Cookie dough with M&Ms
Favorite song to sing when I’m in the car by myself: “Danny’s Song” by Loggins & Messina
Thursday, October 4, 2012
FAQs this Week
Early Action is right around the corner, so we're getting lots of questions from you all about your applications. Here are the most common questions we're getting this week--let us know in the comments below what else you are wondering about!
I submitted my application. When will I get confirmation that you’ve received it?
We recently began downloading submitted applications from both the Common Application and from CFNC, so we have started sending daily emails to students confirming receipt of their application and telling them how to track the status of their application online. After you submit your application, you will receive this email within two days. The email will be sent to the email address you indicated on your application. If it's been more than two days since you submitted your application and you haven't heard from us, first double-check your spam filter. If you don't find it there, you can email us at unchelp@admissions.unc.edu to request that we resend the email. (You might want to add unchelp@admissions.unc.edu to your safe-sender list, as that is the email address we'll use to send you information.)
What must be submitted by the October 15 deadline for Early Action?
Only your application, your payment method, and your UNC-CH Supplement (if you're applying via the Common App) must be received by the deadline. All other materials, such as your letter of recommendation, test scores, transcript, and School Form, may arrive after the deadline.
How late can I take the SAT/ACT?
We can consider scores for tests taken through November for Early Action, and through December for Regular Decision, so long as the scores are sent promptly. If you are planning to take the October or November tests, indicate on the test that you would like your scores to be sent to us (our SAT code is 5816 and our ACT code is 3162), so that the testing service will send us your scores as soon as they are available.
Can I submit an Arts Supplement to Carolina through the Common App?
We don't accept the arts supplement though the Common App, but we do still want to hear about your artistic achievements! The best way to share this information is on the main part of your application. You can list it in the Extracurricular Activities section of the application, and you're welcome to include a URL of where your work can be found online. Please don't send DVDs or CDs, as we just can't review them. It's best to post your work online, or you could create a resume-style document that includes a brief description of your work and 1-2 samples--this can be sent directly to us at uncsubmit@admissions.unc.edu.
**Update 10/31: this comment stream has gotten unwieldy, so I am closing it to comments. Please see our latest FAQ post.***
I submitted my application. When will I get confirmation that you’ve received it?
We recently began downloading submitted applications from both the Common Application and from CFNC, so we have started sending daily emails to students confirming receipt of their application and telling them how to track the status of their application online. After you submit your application, you will receive this email within two days. The email will be sent to the email address you indicated on your application. If it's been more than two days since you submitted your application and you haven't heard from us, first double-check your spam filter. If you don't find it there, you can email us at unchelp@admissions.unc.edu to request that we resend the email. (You might want to add unchelp@admissions.unc.edu to your safe-sender list, as that is the email address we'll use to send you information.)
What must be submitted by the October 15 deadline for Early Action?
Only your application, your payment method, and your UNC-CH Supplement (if you're applying via the Common App) must be received by the deadline. All other materials, such as your letter of recommendation, test scores, transcript, and School Form, may arrive after the deadline.
How late can I take the SAT/ACT?
We can consider scores for tests taken through November for Early Action, and through December for Regular Decision, so long as the scores are sent promptly. If you are planning to take the October or November tests, indicate on the test that you would like your scores to be sent to us (our SAT code is 5816 and our ACT code is 3162), so that the testing service will send us your scores as soon as they are available.
Can I submit an Arts Supplement to Carolina through the Common App?
We don't accept the arts supplement though the Common App, but we do still want to hear about your artistic achievements! The best way to share this information is on the main part of your application. You can list it in the Extracurricular Activities section of the application, and you're welcome to include a URL of where your work can be found online. Please don't send DVDs or CDs, as we just can't review them. It's best to post your work online, or you could create a resume-style document that includes a brief description of your work and 1-2 samples--this can be sent directly to us at uncsubmit@admissions.unc.edu.
**Update 10/31: this comment stream has gotten unwieldy, so I am closing it to comments. Please see our latest FAQ post.***
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Consider Public Health at Carolina
Charletta, what’s a good working definition of ‘public health’?
Public health is everywhere. It’s about protecting and improving the health of communities through health education, promotion of healthy lifestyle, and disease and injury prevention. Unlike medicine, which addresses problems as they occur and diagnoses individual problems, public health focuses on improving the health of populations through prevention.
Students can pursue several different areas of public health here at UNC, including biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental health, health behavior, health policy and management, maternal and child health and nutrition.
What types of careers do students find themselves in after graduation?
They go into all sorts of different careers. They work in a variety of sectors from non-profits, commercial firms and pharmaceutical companies to hospitals and health care organizations, university research settings, government and consulting. A large number of them also pursue graduate work in public health.
What are some examples of public health initiatives students might know about?
Often when I’m talking with students about public health, I’ll ask them to think of what they see or read in the media on a daily basis. So much in the news relates to public health problems and potential solutions. Does your local drug store offer flu vaccinations? We have folks who can give you data about why the vaccination is a good idea. Did you read about the drought in the southwestern U.S.? Our environmental sciences and engineering researchers can tell you about water scarcity and climate change. What do you think of first lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! program? Our nutrition department knows all about why eating healthful foods and exercising regularly are important.
What is the one thing you'd like students to know about the programs or undergraduate experience at the Gillings School of Global Public Health?
Our school ranks as the top public school of public health in the country and is in second place among all public health schools (U.S. News & World Reports, 2012). Undergraduates are given opportunities to help with research and often are taught by and interact with professors who are renowned experts across many public health disciplines including cancer, global health, health disparities, and obesity and water safety, among others.
Our students also love to volunteer. They are very active on campus and in the community. Through their experiences here, they are able to gain fabulous skill sets and are more than qualified when they leave UNC to make a real difference in public health. Many join the Peace Corps or Teach for America, or enter competitive graduate programs.
Learn more about public health at Carolina.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Meet Us in Your Town
Fall is travel time for many of our admissions counselors, and we're traveling across the state, country, and even the globe to meet great students and tell them about Carolina.
Want to find out if we're traveling to your area? Check out Tar Heels in Your Town. We'll continue to update this list of our travels in the coming weeks.
Here are a few highlights of where we're traveling this week:
Want to find out if we're traveling to your area? Check out Tar Heels in Your Town. We'll continue to update this list of our travels in the coming weeks.
Here are a few highlights of where we're traveling this week:
- Melissa Kotacka (@makunc) is on Long Island, attending college fairs in Cambria Heights, Rockville Center, and Uniondale.
- Andrew Parrish (@bowtieguyunc) is in Tennessee (his home state) at college fairs in and around Nashville.
- Patty Baum (@PattyBaumUNC) is all the way across the pond in the UK, meeting with students in and around London.
Friday, September 14, 2012
Meet Olivia Hammill
Last week we introduced Brandon Carter to the blog, and today we'd like you to meet Olivia Hammill, another new admissions representative in our office. Olivia will be heading out for recruitment travel in just a week or two, so you might just see her in your school or at a college fair soon!
Title: Admissions Representative
Hometown: Raleigh, NC
Alma Mater: UNC-Chapel Hill
Time at Carolina: Five years (four as a student, almost one as an employee)
Area of specialty in the office: Counseling and guiding prospective students through the admissions process
Why I love my job: After I graduated from Carolina, I didn’t want to leave. Now, I don’t have to! Being an Admissions Representative gives me the opportunity to share my love for this university with prospective students from all over North Carolina, across the country, and around the world.
Why I believe you should apply to Carolina: Carolina offers a college experience unlike any other. You have the opportunity to interact with the most incredible students, collaborate with world-renowned professors, and challenge yourself to be even more than you thought you could be. Once you’re here, no matter what you choose to pursue, you’re part of the Carolina family. That never changes, even after you graduate.
If I didn’t work in admissions, I would be: In the White House (eventually)
If I were a fictional character, I would be: Scarlett O’Hara, from “Gone with the Wind”
Favorite ice cream flavor: Coffee, even though I don’t drink coffee
Favorite song to sing when I’m in the car by myself: “Wannabe” by the Spice Girls
Hometown: Raleigh, NC
Alma Mater: UNC-Chapel Hill
Time at Carolina: Five years (four as a student, almost one as an employee)
Area of specialty in the office: Counseling and guiding prospective students through the admissions process
Why I love my job: After I graduated from Carolina, I didn’t want to leave. Now, I don’t have to! Being an Admissions Representative gives me the opportunity to share my love for this university with prospective students from all over North Carolina, across the country, and around the world.
Why I believe you should apply to Carolina: Carolina offers a college experience unlike any other. You have the opportunity to interact with the most incredible students, collaborate with world-renowned professors, and challenge yourself to be even more than you thought you could be. Once you’re here, no matter what you choose to pursue, you’re part of the Carolina family. That never changes, even after you graduate.
If I didn’t work in admissions, I would be: In the White House (eventually)
If I were a fictional character, I would be: Scarlett O’Hara, from “Gone with the Wind”
Favorite ice cream flavor: Coffee, even though I don’t drink coffee
Favorite song to sing when I’m in the car by myself: “Wannabe” by the Spice Girls
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Carolina Moments
A group of our admissions ambassadors asked their fellow students, "What's your favorite Carolina moment?" What's the one moment that epitomizes their experience as a Carolina student? Check it out!
If you're a current student interested in applying to become an admissions ambassador, see their website for all the details!
Monday, September 10, 2012
Game Days at Carolina
Today we welcome Kelsey Pan to the blog. Kelsey is one of our admissions ambassadors who also serves as a football ambassador, introducing prospective athletes to Carolina. She got to attend the opening game against Elon last week, and shared these great photos and thoughts of her experiences so far as a football ambassador.I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not the most knowledgeable person when it comes to the game of football. Yet gameday Saturdays are still without a doubt one of the highlights of my week. Carolina football is so much more than just watching our incredibly athletic peers score touchdown after touchdown; it is seeing all of Kenan Stadium covered in a sea of Carolina blue, arriving an hour before kickoff to secure a spot by the tunnel, melting under the 90-degree sun with our closest friends, savoring every last drop of chilled water, and seeing alumni of all ages return with their everlasting Tar Heel pride.
--Kelsey Pan
Friday, September 7, 2012
A Family Member Lost
Today we lost a member of our Tar Heel family. We are deeply saddened by this loss, and our hearts are with the family and friends of Faith Danielle Hedgepeth.
Please visit The Daily Tar Heel for more information.
Please visit The Daily Tar Heel for more information.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Meet Brandon Carter
We've been excited to welcome some new members to the admissions staff this year, so we'll be introducing you to each of them here on the blog over the next few weeks. If you meet us out on the road this fall in your school or at a college fair, you may well see some of these friendly faces! First up is Brandon Carter, who first worked in our office as an undergraduate student. We are so happy to have him back as a full-time member of our staff!
Title: Admissions Representative
Hometown: Green Level, NC
Alma Mater: UNC-Chapel Hill
Time at Carolina: A little more than six years (four as a student, two as a Carolina College Advising Corps member, and two months in the Admissions Office)
Area of specialty in the office: Visit and Travel
Why I love my job: Spreading the message of overwhelming joy and ample opportunities Carolina provides its students rewards my heart and soul every day. I’m always looking to turn every person I meet into a Tar Heel!
Why I believe you should apply to Carolina: You work hard, and you play hard. Carolina has established and perfected the mixture of academic success and achievement with extracurricular and athletic excitement. It’ll be the most challenging four years of your life, but you’ll have the most fun doing it.
When out on recruiting trips, I like to: I have yet to travel, but I’m really looking forward to meeting prospective students who dream of attending Carolina.
If I didn’t work in admissions, I would be: Doing PR work for a non-profit organization during the week and traveling to a different European country during the weekend--gorging on delicious food, conversing with the locals, and taking amazing photographs to send back home to my family.
Favorite ice cream flavor: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Favorite song to sing when I’m in the car by myself: “Don’t Disturb This Groove” by The System
Title: Admissions RepresentativeHometown: Green Level, NC
Alma Mater: UNC-Chapel Hill
Time at Carolina: A little more than six years (four as a student, two as a Carolina College Advising Corps member, and two months in the Admissions Office)
Area of specialty in the office: Visit and Travel
Why I love my job: Spreading the message of overwhelming joy and ample opportunities Carolina provides its students rewards my heart and soul every day. I’m always looking to turn every person I meet into a Tar Heel!
Why I believe you should apply to Carolina: You work hard, and you play hard. Carolina has established and perfected the mixture of academic success and achievement with extracurricular and athletic excitement. It’ll be the most challenging four years of your life, but you’ll have the most fun doing it.
When out on recruiting trips, I like to: I have yet to travel, but I’m really looking forward to meeting prospective students who dream of attending Carolina.
If I didn’t work in admissions, I would be: Doing PR work for a non-profit organization during the week and traveling to a different European country during the weekend--gorging on delicious food, conversing with the locals, and taking amazing photographs to send back home to my family.
Favorite ice cream flavor: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Favorite song to sing when I’m in the car by myself: “Don’t Disturb This Groove” by The System
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
FAQ Monday
It's not actually Monday but it feels like it after the long holiday weekend, so let's talk FAQs. Here are some of the questions we've been getting on the phones and by email lately:
How do I submit my teacher recommendation and counselor form on the Common Application? Go to the School Forms section on the left-hand side of the page. From here, you'll enter the email addresses of your teacher(s) and counselor. The Common App will email them with instructions on how to submit these materials. You'll want to follow up with your teacher and counselor to make sure they've received the email from the Common App and they have everything they need to submit these materials on your behalf.
When filling out the Common Application, will my responses get cut off if they are too long? The free-response sections of the Common Application do have character limits, so you may need to edit down some of your responses to fit. You can double-check how your responses will appear by going to the Print Preview section once you've completed all the required questions. This preview will show you exactly what the admissions committee will see as they review your application.
Your essays will always appear in their entirety as these are documents that you upload separately. These do not get cut off if you exceed the recommended word limit--though we do appreciate it when you stay close to the requested length!
Where are the two essays on the Common Application? One essay is on the main part of the Common Application, and the second is on our school-specific supplemental form. Learn more about our essays.
More questions about the Common App? See their Support Center.
Will you accept my SAT/ACT scores if I submit them before or after the application deadline? Yes, you can submit test scores at any time. If they arrive before your application is submitted, we'll simply file them until your application arrives. And it's fine if your test scores arrive after the deadline as well. We can consider scores submitted through November for Early Action and through December for Regular Decision.
Does UNC grant credit for AP/IB/SAT Subject exams? Yes! See the full chart here.
Who is the admissions representative for my region/school? We don't divide our staff by geographic area, so any of our admissions counselors are happy to help you. Whether you call or email, you'll be directed to the dean of the day who can answer any of your questions about Carolina and applying for admission.
How will my college courses transfer to UNC? See our Transferring Your Courses page for lots of information about how we review transfer credit. The official evaluation of transfer credit is done in the spring after you've applied and been admitted to the University, but this page will help you predict how your previous coursework would transfer here.
Any other questions? Please use the comments to ask!
How do I submit my teacher recommendation and counselor form on the Common Application? Go to the School Forms section on the left-hand side of the page. From here, you'll enter the email addresses of your teacher(s) and counselor. The Common App will email them with instructions on how to submit these materials. You'll want to follow up with your teacher and counselor to make sure they've received the email from the Common App and they have everything they need to submit these materials on your behalf.
When filling out the Common Application, will my responses get cut off if they are too long? The free-response sections of the Common Application do have character limits, so you may need to edit down some of your responses to fit. You can double-check how your responses will appear by going to the Print Preview section once you've completed all the required questions. This preview will show you exactly what the admissions committee will see as they review your application.
Your essays will always appear in their entirety as these are documents that you upload separately. These do not get cut off if you exceed the recommended word limit--though we do appreciate it when you stay close to the requested length!
Where are the two essays on the Common Application? One essay is on the main part of the Common Application, and the second is on our school-specific supplemental form. Learn more about our essays.
More questions about the Common App? See their Support Center.
Will you accept my SAT/ACT scores if I submit them before or after the application deadline? Yes, you can submit test scores at any time. If they arrive before your application is submitted, we'll simply file them until your application arrives. And it's fine if your test scores arrive after the deadline as well. We can consider scores submitted through November for Early Action and through December for Regular Decision.
Does UNC grant credit for AP/IB/SAT Subject exams? Yes! See the full chart here.
Who is the admissions representative for my region/school? We don't divide our staff by geographic area, so any of our admissions counselors are happy to help you. Whether you call or email, you'll be directed to the dean of the day who can answer any of your questions about Carolina and applying for admission.
How will my college courses transfer to UNC? See our Transferring Your Courses page for lots of information about how we review transfer credit. The official evaluation of transfer credit is done in the spring after you've applied and been admitted to the University, but this page will help you predict how your previous coursework would transfer here.
Any other questions? Please use the comments to ask!
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Traveling the World through GLOBE
Today we welcome Kristine Leary, a business major who has just returned from studying abroad through the GLOBE program.
In the past year I have traveled to 22 countries. I have made a presentation in front of executives from one of the largest companies in Europe. I have worked on teams comprised of students from three top universities on three different continents. Most importantly, I have built a network of friends and colleagues that spans from the US to Europe to Asia and back again.
While all of this might sound like something from the life of an international businessman, it was all a part of my life as an international business student with Kenan-Flagler’s GLOBE (Global Learning Opportunities in Business Education Program). This collaboration between UNC, Copenhagen Business School, and the Chinese University of Hong Kong is one of a kind in the world of undergraduate business. Lasting three semesters, the program selects 15 students from each university to live and study first in Copenhagen, then in Hong Kong, and finally in Chapel Hill. Over the course of these 18 months, this international cohort of students learns about the unique business environment in the host country and what it is like to work on multicultural teams.
Perhaps even more important than the coursework, however, GLOBE students get the unique possibility to see the world from a new perspective through the friendships built with their international counterparts and through the travel opportunities the program affords. There are few things as transformative to a person’s point of view as international travel, and international travel with international students by your side provides an even more insightful experience.
While GLOBE is a program demanding academic excellence, the students, especially the Americans, come from all walks of life. In my group there some students who had already traveled the world when GLOBE began and for some it was the first time leaving the country. Two are international students. We have double majors ranging from philosophy to religious studies to mathematics. By any definition of the word, we are diverse. But what we have in common is the quality that is most important when applying to the GLOBE program: we all have a genuine curiosity about the world, a desire to better understand what is beyond our borders.
When I started at Carolina three years ago, I knew I wanted to study abroad, but I never dreamed that I would have the opportunity to study in both Europe and Asia. I never imagined that I would call students from Denmark and Hong Kong my best friends. I never could have known how much I would learn and how many places I would visit over the course of a year. And I never thought it would become such an integral part of shaping who I am today. So I urge any business student to whom this sounds appealing to apply for GLOBE, because you never know where it might take you.
While all of this might sound like something from the life of an international businessman, it was all a part of my life as an international business student with Kenan-Flagler’s GLOBE (Global Learning Opportunities in Business Education Program). This collaboration between UNC, Copenhagen Business School, and the Chinese University of Hong Kong is one of a kind in the world of undergraduate business. Lasting three semesters, the program selects 15 students from each university to live and study first in Copenhagen, then in Hong Kong, and finally in Chapel Hill. Over the course of these 18 months, this international cohort of students learns about the unique business environment in the host country and what it is like to work on multicultural teams.
Perhaps even more important than the coursework, however, GLOBE students get the unique possibility to see the world from a new perspective through the friendships built with their international counterparts and through the travel opportunities the program affords. There are few things as transformative to a person’s point of view as international travel, and international travel with international students by your side provides an even more insightful experience.While GLOBE is a program demanding academic excellence, the students, especially the Americans, come from all walks of life. In my group there some students who had already traveled the world when GLOBE began and for some it was the first time leaving the country. Two are international students. We have double majors ranging from philosophy to religious studies to mathematics. By any definition of the word, we are diverse. But what we have in common is the quality that is most important when applying to the GLOBE program: we all have a genuine curiosity about the world, a desire to better understand what is beyond our borders.
When I started at Carolina three years ago, I knew I wanted to study abroad, but I never dreamed that I would have the opportunity to study in both Europe and Asia. I never imagined that I would call students from Denmark and Hong Kong my best friends. I never could have known how much I would learn and how many places I would visit over the course of a year. And I never thought it would become such an integral part of shaping who I am today. So I urge any business student to whom this sounds appealing to apply for GLOBE, because you never know where it might take you.
Friday, August 24, 2012
Anatomy of an Application: ECs and Honors
This is the second in our Anatomy of an Application series. Last week we discussed how your application materials all come together. This week, ECs and honors.
My colleague Melissa Kotacka wrote on the blog a couple years ago that your extracurriculars are like the sprinkles on the cake of your application. Through your ECs, we get to find out what you're interested in, how you've spent your time, and how you interact with your community. It also helps us imagine what kind of impact you could have if you joined the UNC community.
When you get to this section, you'll be asked to report how much time you've committed to each activity and which years you took part in each. You'll also be asked to briefly explain each activity, including any leadership positions held or honors won. You'll quickly realize there's not a lot of space for lengthy explanations, so your challenge is to be as concise as possible, while also giving us all the interesting details.
Your EC list is by necessity a quick snapshot of your extracurricular contributions, but that doesn't mean it can't still be a really colorful, interesting, and engaging snapshot. Focus on your primary activities and list the most important ones first. Think about what your specific contributions and achievements have been in the activity, and be sure you're communicating those things. For instance, don't just tell us you've played field hockey for 4 years. Instead, how about "Play defense on JV and Varsity field hockey teams. As unofficial spirit leader, I've raised awareness of the team's efforts within the school. Voted co-captain senior year."
So what kinds of activities are we looking for? There really isn't any formula. And we're not looking to see that every student is "well-rounded" either. We know that some students have a wide range of interests and do lots of different types of activities, while others are specialists who focus on one or two things. Most people fall somewhere in between these two. So we're not looking for well-rounded students, we're looking for a well-rounded class. And by enrolling all different kinds of students with all different kinds of interests, that's what we get.
You can include whatever activities are important to you in your list, whether it was something you did through your school, community, or church, or whether it was done independently or with friends or family. We just want to understand how you have spent your time, what you're passionate about, and how you've contributed to your community.
Keep in mind, though, that a longer list is not necessarily a better list. In fact, it's really hard to digest a long list that seems to include every imaginable activity. Think about the big picture and where your impact has been most significant. Consider grouping together similar activities. If you've gone on mission trips with your church each summer since freshman year, you can group these together as one item, then list out the specifics of where you went and what you did in the explanation field.
You'll also fill out a separate section for the honors you have won. It's really helpful if you include a short descriptor for the honor to help us understand what it is. The "Sarah Bigdeal Smith Award" might be a huge honor within your school, but we've never heard of it! So, you might list it as "Smith Service Award. One of two juniors selected by faculty based on my work with local homeless shelter."
And last piece of advice: This is not the time to be humble! Don't be shy about sharing what you've accomplished. If bragging doesn't come naturally to you, ask Mom, Dad or a caring friend for help. They'll be more than happy to point out all your stellar personal qualities and hard-earned honors.
Good luck! Please just let me know if you have any questions.
My colleague Melissa Kotacka wrote on the blog a couple years ago that your extracurriculars are like the sprinkles on the cake of your application. Through your ECs, we get to find out what you're interested in, how you've spent your time, and how you interact with your community. It also helps us imagine what kind of impact you could have if you joined the UNC community.
When you get to this section, you'll be asked to report how much time you've committed to each activity and which years you took part in each. You'll also be asked to briefly explain each activity, including any leadership positions held or honors won. You'll quickly realize there's not a lot of space for lengthy explanations, so your challenge is to be as concise as possible, while also giving us all the interesting details.
Your EC list is by necessity a quick snapshot of your extracurricular contributions, but that doesn't mean it can't still be a really colorful, interesting, and engaging snapshot. Focus on your primary activities and list the most important ones first. Think about what your specific contributions and achievements have been in the activity, and be sure you're communicating those things. For instance, don't just tell us you've played field hockey for 4 years. Instead, how about "Play defense on JV and Varsity field hockey teams. As unofficial spirit leader, I've raised awareness of the team's efforts within the school. Voted co-captain senior year."
So what kinds of activities are we looking for? There really isn't any formula. And we're not looking to see that every student is "well-rounded" either. We know that some students have a wide range of interests and do lots of different types of activities, while others are specialists who focus on one or two things. Most people fall somewhere in between these two. So we're not looking for well-rounded students, we're looking for a well-rounded class. And by enrolling all different kinds of students with all different kinds of interests, that's what we get.
You can include whatever activities are important to you in your list, whether it was something you did through your school, community, or church, or whether it was done independently or with friends or family. We just want to understand how you have spent your time, what you're passionate about, and how you've contributed to your community.
Keep in mind, though, that a longer list is not necessarily a better list. In fact, it's really hard to digest a long list that seems to include every imaginable activity. Think about the big picture and where your impact has been most significant. Consider grouping together similar activities. If you've gone on mission trips with your church each summer since freshman year, you can group these together as one item, then list out the specifics of where you went and what you did in the explanation field.
You'll also fill out a separate section for the honors you have won. It's really helpful if you include a short descriptor for the honor to help us understand what it is. The "Sarah Bigdeal Smith Award" might be a huge honor within your school, but we've never heard of it! So, you might list it as "Smith Service Award. One of two juniors selected by faculty based on my work with local homeless shelter."
And last piece of advice: This is not the time to be humble! Don't be shy about sharing what you've accomplished. If bragging doesn't come naturally to you, ask Mom, Dad or a caring friend for help. They'll be more than happy to point out all your stellar personal qualities and hard-earned honors.
Good luck! Please just let me know if you have any questions.
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