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First-Year Students

First-Year Students

Welcome to UNC Wilmington, North Carolina's coastal university!

Below is an overview of the admissions criteria used when reviewing first-year student applications.

Applying to UNCW?

  

Admissions Requirements To be considered for admission to UNCW, first-year applicants must meet minimum course requirements (MCR). See Requirements
Deadlines & Applying UNCW offers two concrete deadlines for applications. View Deadlines
Testing It will be optional for first-year applicants applying through 2024 to submit the SAT or ACT as a part of their application. Get Details

Application Overview

When reviewing a first-year application for admission, the admissions committee will look carefully at your academic rigor and coursework, standardized test scores, and personal qualities.

UNCW seeks students who are academically curious, excited to be in the classroom and willing to fully-immerse themselves in our community of scholars.

While the admission process is competitive (we receive more applications than we have room for in our freshman class), our staff takes pride in getting to know you as more than an applicant on paper, both inside and outside of the classroom.

Additionally, first-year applicants are not selected based on the major they choose since UNCW students do not declare a major until their sophomore year.

We invite you to explore the admission process in-depth before making your application to UNCW. Additionally, there is no better way to experience UNCW than by visiting campus.

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Visit Campus!

The Office of Admissions invites you and your family to visit UNCW's main campus to explore one of the most beautiful campuses in the South and first-hand from a current Seahawk about the unique academic opportunities and tight-knit community.

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First Year

Requirements
What's Next?
Deadlines
Connect With Team

UNCW uses a holistic approach to review transfer students' applications and will consider several aspects of your application in making our admission decision.

To be considered for admission to UNCW, first-year applicants must meet minimum course requirements (MCR) established by the Board of Governors of the University of North Carolina System. Any student not meeting MCR will not be considered for admission.

View Requirements

Admitted to UNCW as a new student? Congratulations!

Wondering what comes next? See steps you'll need to take and links to helpful resources.

What's Next?

UNCW offers three concrete deadlines for applications. Applications are not reviewed or evaluated until they become complete (the application and all credentials have been received).

View Deadlines

Connect with our Admissions team!

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