Our 48th Rhodes Scholar, Rachel Myrick

Congratulations to our newest Rhodes Scholar, political science and global studies major Rachel Myrick. Rachel came to us from Myers Park High School in Charlotte, NC and she's done some incredible things during her four years at Carolina, uniting her passions for social action and policy. She has spent the last three summers working for a domestic violence shelter in Belize, an international development firm in Cambodia, and a strategic consulting firm in Washington, D.C.

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.

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.

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!

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!

Camel Riding in Dubai

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.

KFBS Undergraduate Business Symposium

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?

KFBS Students at Dubai Media Center

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”!

UNC Club XC Women -- Southeast Regional Champions

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!

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.