Admissions

The University of North Carolina Wilmington is committed to enrolling students with the motivation to actively participate in a powerful learning experience that stimulates creative inquiry, critical thinking, thoughtful expression and responsible citizenship. We support the development of a campus community that is diverse, that is distinctive by our students’ engagement in community involvement, and that advances scholarly activity through involvement in faculty research. We value unique talent and academic potential. Every applicant who is extended an offer of admission has a proven record of academic achievement and a commitment to utilize the UNCW experience as preparation for a life of service and success. Admission counselors will carefully review the academic qualifications of each applicant in a conscientious effort to admit students who have the potential for further academic achievement and growth.

Every enrolling UNCW student must have an immunization record on file at UNCW (as required by law) before registration. (See Immunization and Health Forms section.) UNCW reserves the right to withdraw offers of admission to students who do not submit their enrollment deposit or immunization records by the required deadline.

UNCW will withdraw the offer of admission to students who do not enroll into their admitted term. Students must send a written request for consideration for a different term to the Office of Admissions by the application deadline for that term.

The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs must approve any exception to university admission requirements.

Any student who supplies false or misleading information or who conceals pertinent facts in order to enroll in the University of North Carolina Wilmington will be subject to immediate dismissal from the university.

Application Deadline and Notification Dates

  1. For First-Year Students for Summer Session II and Fall
  1. Application Deadline
  1. The university reserves the right to refuse to review applications for first-year admission that are not submitted by February 1.
  2. A non-refundable $100 enrollment deposit is required on or before May 1 from all admitted students intending to enroll at UNCW.
  3. The university reserves the right to cancel admission, registration, housing assignments, or orientation registration for any admitted student who does not pay the enrollment deposit by May 1.
  1. For Transfer Applicants for Summer and Fall
    1. Application priority deadline is March 1
    2. After March 1, the university may accept transfer applications on a space available basis and reserves the right to return an application and fee without processing the application.
    3. Application status and admission notification is viewable in the application portal.
    4. A non-refundable $100 enrollment deposit is required on or before May 1 or by the date specified in the applicant status portal, whichever is latest, from all admitted students intending to enroll at UNCW.
    5. The university reserves the right to withdraw admission, registration, housing assignments, or orientation registration for any admitted student who does not pay the $100 enrollment deposit by the designated deadline.
    1. Application priority deadline is October 15.
    2. Application status and admission notification is viewable in the application portal.
    3. A non-refundable $100 enrollment deposit is required on or before December 1 or by the date specified in the applicant status portal, whichever is latest, from all admitted students intending to enroll at UNCW.
    1. The OAP application has multiple application deadlines, the dates can be found by visiting http://onlinedegree.uncw.edu/.
    2. Application status and admission notification is viewable in the application portal.
    1. Students applying to re-enroll should direct all inquiries to the Office of Admissions.
    2. After the Office of Admissions receives all required documentation for re-enrolling, applications are processed within three to four weeks.
    3. The Fall application deadline is July 15.
    4. The Spring application deadline is November 15.
    5. Applicants seeking re-enrollment at UNCW will be charged a non-refundable $80 application fee.

    H. For Summer Visiting Students

    1. The summer term includes two sessions. Any applicant admitted for summer is eligible to take classes in the first session, second session or both sessions. Summer admission is limited to summer enrollment exclusively.
    2. Students who decide to enroll in a term later than their admission term must contact the Office of Admissions to submit a new application for the later term.

    Admission – First-Year Students

    Admission to the university is competitive. Applicants may apply to enter the university at the beginning of the fall semester and at the second session of the summer term. The university encourages rigorous coursework during high school and awards credit based on scores earned on Advanced Placement (AP), and International Baccalaureate (IB) exams, and/or grades on college level courses taken during high school. Students should consult their high school counselor for further information. The university honors Common Application, NACAC, College Board and ACT Application Fee Waiver forms if properly signed.

    Additionally, listed below are the high school minimum course requirements, as established by the Board of Governors of the University of North Carolina system, for consideration for admission to the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Meeting the high school minimum course requirements does not infer or guarantee admission to UNCW.

    Four (4) course units in English

    Four (4) course units of mathematics, in any of the following combinations:

    Three (3) course units in science

    Two (2) course units in social science

    Two additional academic courses from English, mathematics, science, social studies, world languages, or computer science.

    The Admissions Committee will also consider:

    Application Procedure for First-Year Students

    Applicants are required to comply with the following:

    1. Submit a completed application by one of the two deadline dates (November 1, early action or February 1, regular decision).
    2. Submit a non-refundable $80 application fee or official application for waiver with the application.
    3. Submit an official transcript directly from all the high schools attended to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, University of North Carolina Wilmington, 601 S. College Road, Wilmington, North Carolina 28403-5904. We cannot accept transcripts directly from the student.
    4. Complete the required essay and short answer, and submit with the application.
    5. Request that an optional recommendation from a school counselor or core academic teacher be submitted directly to the Office of Admissions at UNCW.
    6. Submit the optional SAT or the ACT. If not reported on the high school transcript, SAT and ACT scores must be submitted directly from either The College Board or ACT (UNCW College Codes are: SAT #5907, ACT #3174).

    It is important that the required application materials reach the university by the appropriate application deadline date so that all matters relating to the application may be complete before the final notification date and the opening of the semester in which the student expects to enroll.

    Admission – Transfer Students

    Applicants may apply to enter the university at the beginning of the fall term, summer term or spring term. The university awards credit based on scores earned on Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and DANTES Subject Standardized Test (DSST).

    Students who wish consideration for transfer to the University of North Carolina Wilmington will have graduated from an accredited high school or have obtained a General Equivalency Diploma (GED) or received an Adult High School Diploma and enrolled in college coursework at another institution. Applicants under the age of 21 who have not completed 24 hours of transferable college coursework must meet high school minimum course requirements. Transfer applicant recommendations are provided on the website.

    UNCW does not admit by major or program. Admission requirements for particular programs of study at UNCW may differ from minimum admission standards. Transfer applicants should refer to the requirements listed for specific programs/majors within the specific college/school.

    Application Procedure for Transfer Students

    Students wishing to transfer are required to comply with the following procedures:

    1. Submit a complete application by the appropriate application deadline date.
    2. Submit an $80 non-refundable application fee with the application.
    3. Submit an official transcript from each college or university attended, including summer school. It is the applicant’s responsibility to request that official transcripts are submitted by each institution attended to the Office of Admissions, 601 S. College Road, Wilmington, North Carolina 28403-5904 by the application deadline date.
    4. Submit official military transcripts (if applicable) to the UNCW Office of Admissions.
    5. Have an official high school transcript or GED sent to the Office of Admissions by the application deadline date.

    Transfer Articulation Agreements

    UNCW participates in several articulation agreements governing the transfer of students and courses. These include:

    1. The North Carolina Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA) governing the transfer of students from NC community colleges to UNC institutions.
    2. UNCW’s bilateral articulation agreements which provide students with admission assurances when they graduate from a partnering community college as stated under the agreement.
    3. Uniform articulation agreements between the North Carolina Community College System and constituent institutions in the University of North Carolina system for the following programs:
    1. Special program articulation agreements for the following programs:
    1. Special course transferability articulations with US and foreign colleges.

    For additional information, contact the Office of Admissions at UNCW (phone: (910) 962-3243; e-mail: admissions@uncw.edu or visit the state transfer articulation website.

    Transfer Students and University Studies

    North Carolina Community College transfer students, entering UNCW Spring 2016 or later who have earned an AA or AS degree meeting the requirements of the North Carolina Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA), will receive a waiver of the Foundations and Approaches & Perspectives requirements with the exception of PE; foreign language, and 3 credits from Living in Our Diverse Nation or Living in a Global Society. They will also receive a waiver of 3 credits each of Writing Intensive, Information Literacy, and Quantitative and Logical Reasoning competency requirements. AS and AA degree-holding transfer students will be held to all other University Studies requirements. All other transfer students will be held to University Studies in its entirety, with the exception of First Year Seminar.

    For more information on University Studies refer to the University Studies section of the catalogue.

    Admission – Re-Enrolling Students

    Admission – Audit Students

    Auditing allows a student to enroll and attend a class without receiving academic credit. Audited curses do not count towards full-time status, loan deferment, or financial aid eligibility. Audit students pay regular tuition and fees for audited classes. Current UNCW students, faculty, and staff who wish to audit a class should complete the online Application for Audit/Graded Audit Courses through the Office of the Registrar: http://uncw.edu/reg/registration-audit.htm.

    Applicants who are not current UNCW students, faculty, or staff can apply online through the UNCW Application Portal as an Audit student: https://apply.uncw.edu/apply/.

    In addition to the application, applicants must submit the non-refundable application fee and obtain the instructor’s permission to audit the course. The Course Registration Number for the approved course must be provided on the application.

    The deadline to apply fo rthe Fall term is July 15. Following the Fall semester, the application must be completed and submitted to the Office of Admissions before the end of the add/drop period for the term in which the applicant wishes to audit a course. For more information visit https://uncw.edu/admissions/audit.html.

    Admission – Graduate Students

    Applicants to UNCW’s graduate programs should direct all inquiries concerning admission to the Graduate School. Please refer to the Graduate School website for admission requirements.

    Admission – International Students

    The University of North Carolina Wilmington welcomes interest and inquiry from international students, defined as those who are not U.S. citizens or who are not U.S. permanent residents. In addition to meeting academic requirements, international applicants for first-year and transfer admission must submit scores (TOEFL, IELTS, DET, iTEP or PTE) to demonstrate English proficiency if English is not their native language, or if they do not meet other established criteria for waiving submission of test scores, as detailed on the Web site: http://www.uncw.edu/admissions/INTLEnglish.html. International students requesting UNCW’s F-1 visa sponsorship must also provide documentation proving that the financial obligations associated with their study at the university can be fully met. For details on international admission requirements and a list of all required documents, please refer to the Web site: www.uncw.edu/intladmissions. UNCW admits international students for every semester. Certain academic programs require a separate, additional application in order to be admitted to those programs; for example, the Cameron School of Business and the School of Nursing.

    The Office of International Programs will advise international exchange students. Visit Web site http://www.uncw.edu/intprogs/.

    Admission – Visiting Students

    Students from other colleges or universities who intend to return to their home institution may attend UNCW as visiting students in the fall or spring semesters or summer sessions. The university does not assume responsibility for determining a student’s course selection when such credits are to be transferred elsewhere. Transcripts of work completed at UNCW must be requested through the Office of the Registrar to assure a record of academic work is sent to the home institution of the visiting student. Enrollment as a visiting student from another institution in no way obligates the university to continue a student’s enrollment at UNCW at the expiration of the visiting period. All application deadline dates apply to visiting students.

    Students should apply as a visiting student using the non-degree seeking undergraduate application, submit the non-refundable $80 application fee, and an official transcript from their current or most recently attended college or university. Visiting students must be in good academic standing at their current or most recently attended institution and have attained at least a 2.50 cumulative GPA with 24 transferable credit hours complete at the time of application in order to be considered for admission. A student may only attend as a visiting student for two consecutive semesters (not including summer session).

    Admission – Professional Colleges, Schools, and Select Programs

    (Degree Programs in the Cameron School of Business, Watson College of Education, College of Health and Human Services, and Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Biology, Communication Studies, Computer Science, Creative Writing, Environmental Sciences, Film Studies, Music, and Psychology).

    Applications may be obtained from the appropriate school or department following admission to the university.

    Admission – Senior Citizens (65+ years of age) Tuition Free Audit

    North Carolina General Assembly Session Law 2017-57, Senate Bill 257, Section 10.12.(a) authorized the Board of Governors to promulgate rules permitting residents of North Carolina who have attained the age of 65 and who meet applicable admissions standards to audit courses, tuition-free, on a space available basis.

    Senior citizens 65 and older who are not currently enrolled at UNCW and wish to audit a class will need to submit an online application to the Office of Admissions. You can apply through the UNCW Application Portal. Instructor permission must be obtained prior to application submission. The application must be submitted before the end of the add/drop period. An application fee is required for senior citizen audit students.

    Senior citizens who wish to take courses for credit must apply through the Admissions Office. Tuition and fees will apply.

    Senior citizens registering for more than (4) credit hours will need to comply with the immunization requirements under North Carolina state law. Please contact Student Health Services at (910) 962-3280 for more information.

    Admission – Dual–Enrolled High School Students

    High school students who wish to pursue academic courses on the collegiate level while attending high school may enroll at UNCW if they meet the qualifications for participation in this program. This program is available to students whose primary residence is New Hanover, Pender and Brunswick County. Eligible students must have (1) completed two calendar years as a student at a high school or homeschool and (2) earned enough credits to be designated a junior or senior year in high school. Exceptions are not made to the program requirements. Not all UNCW courses will be available to dual-enrolled high school students, depending upon the requirements of or restriction for the course. For instance, courses that have a component that includes international or overnight travel are not available.

    Applications for dual-enrollment are available online at http://uncw.edu/admissions/apply.html. Students may enter this program for the fall, spring, or summer terms and may only register for two undergraduate courses per term. Students are responsible for all tuition and fees associated with the registered course(s). Applications and course selections for fall and summer terms should be received in the UNCW Office of Admissions by April 1. Applications and course selections for spring term should be received in the UNCW Office of Admissions by November 1. Students are required to submit a new application for every semester they wish to take classes at UNCW. Late applications will not be considered. http://uncw.edu/admissions/dual.html.

    Admission – Special Undergraduate Students

    Any individual who already possesses a degree from a four-year regionally accredited university or college and wishes to enroll for undergraduate courses at UNCW in a non-degree status must apply to the Office of Admissions by the application deadline date. An official transcript from the degree-granting institution must be submitted from the institution awarding the degree to the Office of Admissions by the appropriate deadline date. Non-degree seeking students must meet the same retention standards as degree seeking students.

    Candidates seeking a second or additional undergraduate degree must apply as transfer students and have transcripts from all universities or colleges attended submitted by the application deadline date.

    All special undergraduates must submit the non-refundable $80 application fee.

    Online Accelerated Program

    Online Accelerated Programsare completely online degree programs, offered within a shortened seven week session, consisting of six separate sessions per year. These programs have different application deadlines than traditional Undergraduate programs. Those dates, and other important admission information, can be found by visiting the UNCW Online website.

    Currently, UNCW offers the RN to BSN curriculum and the Respiratory Therapy curriculum within the online accelerated program format.

    Unclassified Enrollment Permission

    Applicants who are denied regular admission to the university may be considered for enrollment as unclassified students under special circumstances. No student who has graduated from high school less than two years prior to application may be considered for unclassified status. Unclassified status does not constitute admission to any degree program at the university.

    An unclassified student may enroll in up to 18 credit hours of courses in a semester, but may attempt no more than a cumulative total of 30 credit hours while unclassified. If the student does not qualify for degree status after 30 credit hours have been attempted, the student’s enrollment will end and the student may not reapply for admission. Unclassified students are subject to all applicable academic regulations of the university. Unclassified students are not eligible for federally funded financial aid programs. See also Conversion from Unclassified Status in the University Regulations section of this catalogue.

    Medical History Form and Immunization Record

    North Carolina General Statute 130A-155.1 establishes specific immunization requirements for all students enrolled in North Carolina colleges or universities. It is the responsibility of the Student Health Center to monitor the immunization record of each student to ensure compliance with state law and university requirements.

    All students are required to complete and sign the “Medical History Form and Immunization Record.” If a student is under the age of 18, a parent or guardian must sign the form as well. The form, along with additional instructions, can be found at https://uncw.edu/healthservices/shc_newstudents.html.

    Immunizations that are REQUIRED pursuant to NC state law (current as of April 14, 2024):
    Vaccine Number of Doses Required Before School Entry*
    Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussus 3 doses
    Polio 3 doses
    Measles 2 doses
    Mumps 2 doses
    Rubella 1 dose
    Hepatitis B (Hep B) 3 doses
    Varicella 1 dose

    *Please read below for further information

    International Students and/or non-US Citizens: Vaccines are required as noted above. Additionally, international students are required to have a Tb skin test (PPD, TST or QuantiFERON Gold) that has been administered and read at an appropriate medical facility within 12 months prior to the first day of class. (Chest x-ray required if test is positive.)

    Meningitis Vaccinations: All students must inform the Student Health Center whether or not they received the meningococcal vaccine, and if so, type of vaccine, the month, date and year of the vaccination.

    Notes:

    a. Immunization records must bear either the administering provider’s signature, name, address and phone number or the official stamp of the health care facility at which the immunizations were administered. Immunization records printed from a state registry are also an acceptable form of proof.

    b. Laboratory proof of immunity to Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, or Rubella (German Measles) is acceptable.

    Failure to comply with North Carolina immunization requirements will result in administrative withdrawal from the university.

    Orientation

    For information regarding Orientation, please refer to the University Regulations section of this catalogue.

    Safety and Health Program

    UNCW’s safety program complies with the State Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1973.