Navigating Admissions at UNC Greensboro: A Comprehensive Guide

The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG), founded in 1891, stands as one of the original three institutions within the UNC System. Originally established to provide women access to higher education, UNCG has evolved into one of the largest co-ed, public universities in North Carolina, fostering a welcoming and inclusive campus environment amidst an intellectually and culturally diverse student body. UNCG seeks prospective students with ability, motivation, and the intellectual potential to meet UNC Greensboro standards of performance.

Commitment to Equality and Non-Discrimination

The University of North Carolina at Greensboro is committed to equality of educational opportunity and does not discriminate against applicants, students, or employees based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability. This commitment aligns with Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the ADA of 1990, and other applicable federal and state laws.

Application Information

To begin exploring UNC Greensboro, prospective students can start with the 360° Virtual Tour. When ready, scheduling a campus visit offers a firsthand experience of life as a Spartan.

Application Process

Welcome to UNC Greensboro's undergraduate application system. If applying as a freshman, transfer, former, or 2nd degree-seeking student, this is the correct platform. Note that visiting students should complete an application here, while graduate and certificate students should apply here. Integrated Community Studies applicants will find their application listed by name. The web-based application allows applicants to save their progress and return to enter information at a later time.

Create an Account: First-time users can create an account to begin the application process.
Complete the Application: Fill out all required fields.
Submit the Application: Once the application is complete, submit it.
Pay the Application Fee: Pay the $65 nonrefundable fee by credit card or provide fee waiver information. Note: UNCG accepts fee waivers for first-time students from SAT (College Board or counselor), ACT, and NACAC.
Check Application Status: Log back into the application portal to check the status of the submitted application, including a checklist of required materials. The ‘Application Checklist’ section on the account will be updated as application materials are received.

Required Materials

A complete application typically includes:

Completed application form.
$65 nonrefundable fee or fee waiver (if applicable).
Community standards questionnaire.
Official high school transcript. Submit an official copy of the final transcript to Undergraduate Admissions after graduation. The office reviews grades and courses on the final transcript to verify eligibility for admission.
Official college transcripts from any post-secondary institutions attended, even those granting summer, extension, developmental, and technical credit.
Essay.
SAT (code 5913) or ACT (code 3166) scores (if required).

Application Deadlines

First-Year Students: Application opens August 1. Must apply by January 15 for automatic consideration for merit-based scholarship eligibility. Applications received November 1 - March 1 are reviewed as they are received. After March 1, applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Students applying for the Fall Semester should attempt to meet early action deadlines to receive the best consideration for scholarships.
Transfer Students: Application opens August 1. Transfers applying for fall semester are encouraged to apply by March 1 and no later than August 1. The deadline for spring enrollment is December 1.

Additional Requirements

Minimum Course Requirements: The UNC System mandates minimum high school courses required for admission to N.C. public universities.
- Foreign language: Two course units of a language other than English or Two additional academic courses from English, mathematics, science, social studies, world languages, or computer science.
Campus Safety Questions: Students who wish to register for courses at UNC Greensboro and who are not enrolled at another UNC system school must answer campus safety questions, per UNC Policy 700.5.1[R].
Background Investigation Report: Students who give a positive response to one of the security triggers are required to submit a background investigation report by an approved third party vendor and a written letter of explanation describing the circumstances related to the positive responses.
Additional Information Request: The Office of Undergraduate Admissions reserves the right to request additional information regarding an applicant’s activities and responses to questions pursuant to University of North Carolina system policy 700.5.1[R].

Freshman Admission

For the purposes of admission, a freshman is defined as a first-time undergraduate who is a degree-seeking student with no prior post-secondary experience (after graduating high school). Summer is not considered a degree-seeking term. Admission to UNCG is competitive.

Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MER)

Admissions criteria are uniformly applied, with a limited number of annual Chancellor exceptions to first-year admissions Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MER) allowed by UNC System Policy. Specifically, the maximum number of chancellor’s exceptions is limited to one percent of the total number of applicants accepted as first-time undergraduates each year, or 75 students, whichever is greater. To be considered for an exception to MER, students must demonstrate extenuating circumstances that resulted in not meeting minimum requirements and/or be deemed by the Appeals Committee faculty representatives to have a reasonable chance for academic success at UNC Greensboro, given available support services. Per UNC System Policy, each campus shall establish policies describing the admission of students requiring special consideration with regard to MCRs. Such students would not otherwise be eligible for admission at the institution, and further evaluation of their records is necessary. Institutions may waive some minimum course requirements for applicants who have superior academic records in high school, as measured by grades, rank in class, test scores, or the rigor of courses taken, or who demonstrate special talents. Students graduating from a North Carolina Cooperative Innovative High School (CIHS) with an associate’s degree will have the option of being evaluated for admission as a freshman or as a transfer student. UNC Greensboro will offer freshman admission to any applicant attending the residential program at NCSSM. Successfully completing all NCSSM graduation requirements and remaining enrolled and in good standing at NCSSM through the time of the student’s graduation.

High School Juniors and Seniors

UNC Greensboro will accept for enrollment in certain university courses high school juniors and seniors and who have the formal endorsement of and permission from a high school counselor and parent/guardian. Enrollment is limited to one course per semester. The cost per course for which university credit is given is the same as for other students taking fewer than nine hours. Credit earned before completion of high school may be applicable to a degree program at UNC Greensboro when the student has met all requirements for high school graduation and satisfied the requirements for admission as a freshman.

What it Takes to Get In

If you want to get in, the first thing to look at is the acceptance rate. The acceptance rate at UNCG is 88.5%. lightly selective. The school will have their expected requirements for GPA and SAT/ACT scores. If you meet their requirements, you're almost certain to get an offer of admission. The GPA requirement that really matters is the GPA you need for a real chance of getting in. requires you to be above average in your high school class. You'll need at least a mix of A's and B's, with more A's than B's. You can compensate for a lower GPA with harder classes, like AP or IB classes. Each school has different requirements for standardized testing. You must take either the SAT or ACT to submit an application to UNCG. Many schools say they have no SAT score cutoff, but the truth is that there is a hidden SAT requirement. The 25th percentile SAT score is 1150, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1335. This is also known as "superscoring." This means that you can choose which SAT tests you want to send to the school. How does superscoring change your test strategy? Even though the highest total you scored on any one test date was 1000, UNCG will take your highest section score from all your test dates, then combine them to form your Superscore. This is important for your testing strategy. Because you can choose which tests to send in, and UNCG forms your Superscore, you can take the SAT as many times as you want, then submit only the tests that give you the highest Superscore. Therefore, if your SAT superscore is currently below a 1150, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the SAT and retaking it. Even better, because of the Superscore, you can focus all your energy on a single section at a time. If your Reading score is lower than your other sections, prep only for the Reading section, then take the SAT. Then focus on Math for the next test, and so on. The average ACT score at UNCG is 22. The 25th percentile ACT score is 22, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 27. Here it is: when you send ACT scores to colleges, you have absolute control over which tests you send. You could take 10 tests, and only send your highest one. This means that you have more chances than you think to improve your ACT score. To try to aim for the school's ACT requirement of 22 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can. By and large, most colleges do not superscore the ACT. (Superscore means that the school takes your best section scores from all the test dates you submit, and then combines them into the best possible composite score). However, in our research, we found that UNCG does in fact offer an ACT superscore policy. Superscoring is powerful to your testing strategy, and you need to make sure you plan your testing accordingly. How does superscoring change your test strategy? Even though the highest ACT composite you scored on any one test date was 20, UNCG will take your highest section score from all your test dates, then combine them to form your Superscore. This is important for your testing strategy. Because you can choose which tests to send in, and UNCG forms your Superscore, you can take the ACT as many times as you want, then submit only the tests that give you the highest Superscore. Therefore, if your ACT score is currently below a 22, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the ACT and retaking it. Even better, because of the Superscore, you can focus all your energy on a single section at a time. If your Reading score is lower than your other sections, prep only for the Reading section, then take the ACT. Then focus on Math for the next test, and so on. Currently, only the ACT has an optional essay section that all students can take. The SAT used to also have an optional Essay section, but since June 2021, this has been discontinued unless you are taking the test as part of school-day testing in a few states. UNCG considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration. Because this school is lightly selective, you have a great shot at getting in, as long as you don't fall well below average. Aim for a 1150 SAT or a 22 ACT or higher, and you'll almost certainly get an offer of admission.

Transfer Admission

Students with 24 or more college credit hour who are eligible to return to the last institution they attended are classified transfers at UNCG. A complete application includes an official transcript from each institution you have attended and $65 nonrefundable fee. Note: students with fewer than 24 credit hours must meet transfer and first-year admission requirements, including SAT (code 5913) or ACT (code 3166) scores.

Read also: Giving Back to UNCG

Transfer Credit Evaluation

Located in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, this unit enters transfer credit course work into the student’s official record. Also, in association with university faculty, this unit is responsible for determining how postsecondary-level courses and credits transfer to UNC Greensboro, applying admission-level transfer credit regulations, and enforcing the provisions of the North Carolina Comprehensive Articulation Agreement.

Transfer credit to be awarded is determined by the quality and quantity of the student’s previous college work. Course work completed with a grade of D+, D, or D- will not transfer. The university’s Repeated Course Policy applies to transfer credit.

North Carolina Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA)

The North Carolina General Assembly, the Board of Governors of the University of North Carolina, and the State Board of Community Colleges are committed to the simplification of transfer of credits for students and thus facilitating their educational progress as they pursue associate or baccalaureate degrees within and among public post-secondary institutions in North Carolina. The CAA establishes the procedures governing the transfer of credits for students who transfer from a North Carolina Community College to a constituent institution of the University of North Carolina. To be eligible for the transfer of credits under the CAA, the student must graduate from the community college with an Associate in Arts (AA) or Associate in Science (AS) degree and have an overall Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale and a grade of “C-” or better in all CAA courses. Students who do not complete the degree are eligible to transfer credits on a course-by-course basis. Community college graduates of the Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree programs who have earned 60 credit hours in approved transfer courses with a grade of “C-” or better will receive at least 60 credit hours of academic credit upon admission to UNC Greensboro. A student who completes the Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree prior to transfer to UNC Greensboro will have fulfilled the university’s lower-division general education requirements, but not intermediate-level general education requirements like the College of Arts and Sciences’ foreign language requirement. Also, due to degree requirements in some majors, additional lower-division courses at UNC Greensboro may be required beyond the general education courses and pre-major courses taken at the community college.

Reverse Transfer Program

This program awards an associate degree to students who previously attended a NC community college and earned at least 16 community college course credits. The student will earn their associate degree while completing courses for a baccalaureate degree at the four-year institution. There is no cost to participate in the Reverse Transfer program. Students are responsible for opting in via UNCGenie, and the community college evaluates transcripts and awards associates degrees. Students who participate in North Carolina's Reverse Transfer Program and earn an Associate of Arts of Associate of Science will have fulfilled the university's lower-division general education requirements (Minerva's Academic Curriculum), but not intermediate-level general education requirements.

2Plus Program

The 2Plus program is for those North Carolina community college graduates who hold a specific Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) or Associate Degree in Nursing (A.D.N.) degree and desire to transfer into UNC Greensboro with advanced standing, pursuing a specific UNC Greensboro major. Articulation notices are sent to North Carolina community colleges listing the 2Plus admission requirements. 2Plus Articulation students are transfer students with several unique requirements and procedures. Details governing their enrollment are provided for in the articulation notices. The decision for admission is based on successful completion of the A.A.S./A.D.N. This uniform, statewide academic progression agreement promotes education advancement opportunities for registered nurses moving between North Carolina community colleges and UNC Greensboro in order to complete BSN degrees. Specific details of the notice may be obtained from the UNC Greensboro Office of Undergraduate Admissions or the School of Nursing which include general education and nursing prerequisite courses.

Read also: Comprehensive Guide to UNCG Health

Credit from Other Institutions and Programs

North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM)

In addition to examination programs, UNC Greensboro has an established articulation agreement with North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM) since 2010. NCSSM is the only secondary school in the UNC System. Students will be granted credit based on the course equivalencies and related requirements listed below. It is required that students earn a grade of B- or higher in all the NCSSM courses listed below, grades of C+ or lower are not acceptable. Moreover, most NCCSM courses listed are part of a sequential program.

Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB)

Transfer credit or exemption from specific degree requirements may be earned by meeting university established minimum scores in recognized examination programs such as AP or IB. To see if your AP or IB scores will transfer to UNCG, visit our page on standard and placement tests. If you want to transfer your AP credits, request for your official score report to be sent to us directly from College Board. If you want to transfer your IB credits, request for your official score report to be sent to us directly from International Baccalaureate.

Cambridge International A and AS Level

Cambridge International A and AS Level course credit (and/or higher placement) may be awarded after evaluations of documentation. Secondary school students enrolled in AP courses may receive college credit.

ROTC Programs

The United States Air Force and Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps programs are available to UNC Greensboro students at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (in Greensboro). The university will grant credit for ROTC courses taken at N.C. A&T.

Greater Greensboro Consortium and North Carolina Inter-Institutional Agreement

Students wishing to register for courses at UNC Greensboro through the Greater Greensboro Consortium or the North Carolina Inter-Institutional Agreement should contact the registrar of their home institutions.

International Students

The University of North Carolina Greensboro welcomes qualified applicants from around the globe, appreciating the intellectual and cultural talents international students add to the UNC Greensboro campus. UNC Greensboro's mission is to be a magnet for international talent, a leader for international enrollment growth, and an authentically welcoming campus. UNC Greensboro advances international enrollment through ethical and responsible recruitment practices and provides service excellence from point of inquiry to admission review. UNC Greensboro invites motivated, qualified applicants from around the world. The university is an ideal destination of choice for international students to pursue their academic and professional goals.

Required Documents

Official transcripts from each college/university attended and a NACES® course-by-course evaluation report. For students who are otherwise qualified for admission to UNC Greensboro, conditional admission is offered through INTERLINK Language Institutes for students who are otherwise qualified for admission to UNC Greensboro, and wish to undertake in-person intensive English instruction from within the United States, conditional admission is offered through the American Language Academy (ALA) located in Greensboro, NC. With successful passing of Level 6, students are then re-issued a direct entry offer of admission to UNC Greensboro. On a case-by-case basis, students enrolled in the final English levels in-person at ALA or online in the INTERLINK virtual program may also take limited UNC Greensboro coursework concurrently with their intensive English courses. transcripts for their current or prior college/university are required to submit a course-by-course evaluation report with the application. You do not need the report if you have any of the following: IB Diploma or IB Track, Standard XII Certificate or equivalent (India only), School Leaving Certificate & Mark Sheets for all exams (Nepal only), a GCSE/IGCSE Statement of Results, or a WASSCE/WAEC score report.

Residency

The Residency Determination Service is the entity responsible for all undergraduate classifications of residency for tuition purposes in North Carolina. A residency determination from RDS is required for undergraduates applying for admission, readmission, or transfer to any NC college or university, public or private, who wish to receive the benefits of in-state tuition and/or eligibility for state grants.

Auditing Courses

Auditing a course is the privilege of being present in the classroom when space is available. No credit is involved, no examinations are required, and no grades are reported. Attendance, preparation, and participation in classroom discussion and activities are at the discretion of the department and the instructor. Online courses cannot be audited. A person not currently enrolled at UNC Greensboro who desires to audit a course and who does not require a record of enrollment should secure a Visiting Auditor form from the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. A Visiting Auditor may audit courses for a fee of $125. Auditors must secure permission from the course instructor before submitting their completed form to the University Registrar's Office. Only courses approved by academic departments are open to auditors. Visiting auditors are permitted in lecture courses when space is available with the written approval of the department head or the instructor teaching the course.

Additional Information

Financial Aid

UNCG’s Financial Aid Office (spartancentral.uncg.edu/financial-aid) is an excellent resource for students and families at any stage of the college application and financial aid process. UNCG’s priority filing period for FAFSA submission (code 002976) is Oct. 1- Mar. 1. An option to pay bills in installments over the course of the semester is available to students and families.

Accreditation

UNC Greensboro is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The primary service area for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. SACSCOC does accept applications from international institutions that can meet its accreditation standards. These requirements are consistent with the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Higher Learning Commission (HLC), Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), and WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

Programs Offered

UNC Greensboro offers a wide range of academic programs, including:

INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN, BFA: A CIDA-accredited BFA program.
BIOCHEMISTRY, B.S.: One of only three biochemistry B.S. programs in the state.
BSN DIRECT ADMIT: A direct-admission Nursing program.
LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE, M.L.I.S.: Emphasizing the rapidly changing library and information field.

Readmission

Former students who wish to return to the University must apply to be readmitted and must meet prevailing admissions standards. The admissions application for academically-dismissed students will be reviewed only after a decision has been rendered on the Return from Academic Dismissal Appeal. Additional details regarding all parameters for returning from academic dismissal or suspension will be shared with students when their appeal is approved.

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