Transfer Application

If you’ve taken any college coursework after graduating from high school, you’ll apply to Carolina as a transfer student.

Around 900 transfer students choose Carolina each year, and our transfer students travel many roads to get here. Your academic record should show us all the challenges you’ve taken on and the ways you’re prepared to succeed at Carolina.

Complete Your Application

Apply online through the Common Application. Your application and application fee or fee waiver are due by February 15. Then, be sure to have your supporting materials sent to us, which will help us gain a fuller understanding of you as a student and the contributions that you make in the classroom.

Some majors and professional school programs at Carolina have additional application requirements.

What’s on the Common Application?

• Extracurricular Activities
• Essay and Two Short Answers
• Application Fee or Fee Waiver

What supporting materials are required?

• Letter of Recommendation
• Official Transcript
• SAT or ACT Scores (optional for 2025 admission)

• Tips for the Common Application
  • • Extracurricular Activities
      On your application, you’ll tell us about how you spend your time outside the classroom and why it’s important to you. TIP We know you’re engaged in meaningful activities, and we hope to hear your story through these experiences. Whether you’re developing a new app, working to put food on the table, serving as president of an organization, playing second string on a team, caring for siblings or grandparents, or starting a non-profit, we can’t wait to learn about you.
    • Essay and Two Short Answers
      Your personal essay and short answers give us the chance to hear your voice and see you as a whole person, not just a student. When you respond, we hope you’ll be yourself and sound like yourself. TIP We’re working to build a talented and inclusive community at Carolina, and we hope you’ll take this opportunity to share how you’d contribute to that community.
    • Application Fee or Fee Waiver
      You’ll also submit a non-refundable application fee is $85. If you can’t pay the fee right now or are an active-duty member of the military, please complete the fee waiver request form and send it to us at uncsubmit@admissions.unc.edu. The bottom line: whether you apply with a fee or a waiver, we’ll be grateful to receive your application, and we’ll consider you with care, appreciation, and respect.
    • More About Materials
      • • Letter of Recommendation
          You’ll need one letter of recommendation – ask the person writing your letter to submit it on your behalf. TIP Choose someone who knows you well and can describe both your academic potential and unique personal qualities.
        • Official Transcripts
          Submit transcripts by secure electronic delivery from your high school and all colleges and universities attended, regardless of whether you received credit. This can include but is not limited to: online coursework, non-degree coursework, coursework you enrolled in but later withdrew from, coursework you enrolled in for personal enrichment, and coursework you do not believe will transfer and/or you do not intend to transfer as academic credit to UNC-Chapel Hill. TIP Get a strong foundation in the core academic areas: English, foreign language, math, the social sciences, and the natural sciences. We aren’t looking for any specific courses on your college transcript, but know that these are most likely to transfer, and that these are the type of courses that our students take in their first two years.
        • SAT or ACT Scores
          On May 23, 2024, the Board of Governors of the UNC System updated the minimum admissions requirements to apply to any of the UNC System constituent institutions.
          • For students applying for the 2024-2025 academic year, students are not required to submit a test score.
          • For students applying for the 2025-2026 academic year, students with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or above (on a 4.0 scale) are not required to submit a test score. Students with a weighted GPA below 2.8 (on a 4.0 scale) are required to submit either an ACT or SAT score.
          • For students applying for the 2026-2027 academic year and beyond, students with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or above (on a 4.0 scale) are not required to submit a test score. Students with a weighted GPA below 2.8 (on a 4.0 scale) are required to submit either an ACT score of 17 or higher or an SAT score of 930 or higher.

          

          Apply for Financial Aid

          Submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and CSS Profile. Learn how to submit both on our Financial Aid website.

          Keep in Mind

          • If you’re a North Carolina resident, you’ll need verify your residency with Residency Determination Services.
          • Check your email regularly. If we need materials or more information as we’re reviewing your application, your email is where you’ll hear from us.
          • If you need to add information to your application after you’ve submitted it, you’ll be able to send it to us using MyCarolina. If a school official or recommender has additional information, please ask them to email us at uncsubmit@admissions.unc.edu and include your full name and date of birth.
          • If you believe your academic progress has been affected by disability-related issues, we encourage you to share this information with us. Learn more about submitting disability-related documentation.
          • We require all applicants (including students offered admission) to disclose any new school-based disciplinary incidents or criminal charges that occur after the application was submitted within ten days of the occurrence. The student’s written explanation as well as any required corroborating documentation (from a school official or legal representative) can be uploaded through MyCarolina.

          Helpful Deadlines

          Deadline	Transfer
          Application and Fee or Waiver	February 15
          Residency	February 15
          Supporting Materials and Test Scores	March 15
          Financial Aid*	March 15
          Admissions Decisions Available	April 15
          Enrollment Confirmation if Admitted	May 15

          *Financial Aid: If you’d like to receive an aid offer shortly after you receive your admissions decision, submit the FAFSA and CSS Profile by March 15. For more information about aid and key dates, visit studentaid.unc.edu.