Admissions

( http://www.uncw.edu/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 are committed to supporting the development of a campus community that is diverse, distinctive by our students‘ engagement in community involvement and advances scholarly activity through involvement in faculty research. We value unique talent and academic potential. Every applicant that 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 dedicated 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.

Each 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 cancel admission offers to students who do not send their enrollment deposits or immunization records by the enrollment deposit deadline.

UNCW will cancel 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 date 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 Freshmen for Summer Session II and Fall
   

2. For Transfer Applicants for Summer and Fall
   1. Application deadline is March 1
   2. After March 1, the university processes transfer applications on a space available basis and reserves the right to return an application and fee without processing the application.
   3. A non-refundable $100 enrollment deposit is required on or before May 1 or by the date specified on the acceptance letter, whichever is latest, from all admitted students intending to enroll at UNCW.
   4. The university reserves the right to cancel admission, registration, housing assignments, or orientation registration for any admitted student who does not pay the $100 enrollment deposit by the designated deadline. 
3. For Transfer Applicants for Spring (January) Semester
   1. Admission for transfers for the spring term is extremely limited. The Office of Admissions will announce by September 21 if applications will be accepted and considered for the spring semester. The university does not encourage transfer students to plan on spring enrollment. If space is available, it will be limited to those students who have earned an associate of arts or science degree or at least 54 transferable credits from a college or university with a 3.00 or better cumulative grade point average. Prospective transfer students are encouraged to contact the Office of Admissions or visit the Office of Admission Website www.uncw.edu/transferadmissions to inquire about space for spring.
   2. Application deadline is November 1.
   3. A non-refundable $100 enrollment deposit is required on or before December 1 or by the date specified on the acceptance letter, whichever is latest, from all admitted students intending to enroll at UNCW.
4. For Former (Re-Enrolling) Students
   1. Students applying to re-enroll should direct all inquiries to the Office of the Registrar.
   2. After the Registrar‘s Office receives all required documentation for re-enrolling, applications are processed within three to four weeks.
   3. A non-refundable $60 application fee must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar soon after the online re-enrolling form is completed.
5. For Permission/Visiting Students for Fall, Spring and Summer
   Fall and spring deadlines are the same as stated in items B. and C. above
   .
   The summer term is divided into two sessions. Any applicant admitted for summer will be eligible to take classes in the first session, second session or both sessions. Applicants interested in taking classes in the first session or both sessions must apply for the summer term by May 1. The Office of Admissions will continue to accept applications for the summer term until June 1 for those students who want to take classes in the second session only.
   
   A non-refundable $100 enrollment deposit is required on or before May 1 for the summer and fall terms and on or before December 1 for the spring term or by the date specified on the acceptance letter, whichever is latest, from all admitted students intending to enroll at UNCW. For summer the $100 enrollment deposit must be paid before registration.
   
   New students must register and remain enrolled in the term for which they were admitted. Students who decide to begin enrollment in a term later than their admission term must submit a new application for the later term.

Admission – Freshmen

All applicants considered for admission to UNCW must have graduated from an approved or accredited high school. We will consider the GED for freshman admission from applicants who are at least 24 years old. All applicants must submit the SAT I or ACT with writing. Applicants may apply to enter the university at the beginning of the fall semester and at the beginning of the summer term. The university encourages rigorous course work 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 the College Board Application Fee Waiver form 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

• emphasizing grammar, composition, and literature

Two (2) course units in foreign language

• two (2) units of the same foreign language (American sign language does apply)

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

• algebra I and II, geometry, and one (1) unit beyond algebra II,
• algebra I and II, and two (2) units beyond algebra II, or
• integrated math I, II, and III, and one (1) unit beyond integrated math III.
• The fourth math unit must be one for which algebra II is prerequisite.

Three (3) course units in science

• one (1) unit in a life or biological science (for example, biology),
• one (1) unit in physical science (for example, earth science, chemistry, physics)
• one (1) additional science
• at least one of these courses must include a lab

Two (2) course units in social science

• one unit must be U.S. history, but an applicant who does not have the unit in U.S. history may be admitted on the condition that at least three (3) semester hours in that subject will be passed by the end of the sophomore year.

The Admissions Committee will also consider:

• The difficulty of the coursework taken (advanced, college prep, honors, advanced placement, international baccalaureate, dual enrolled, etc.).
• Grades, grade point average, and/or class rank.
• Standardized test scores–SAT and/or ACT (with writing section).
• Recommendation from guidance counselor or core academic teacher.
• Extracurricular activities, community activities, talents, interests, work experience and/or life experience.
• The required essay.

Application Procedure for Freshmen

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 $60 application fee with the application. Web applicants may submit payment online.
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. Students with a GED must submit test scores directly from the testing center.
4. Complete the required essay and submit with the application.
5. Request that a recommendation from a guidance counselor or core academic teacher be submitted directly to the Office of Admissions at UNCW.
6. Submit the SAT or the ACT (with the writing section). 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). For more information about the SAT, write or call: College Board SAT Program, P. O. Box 025505, Miami, FL 33102, (866) 756-7346. For information about ACT, write or call: ACT Registration, P.O. Box 414, Iowa City, IA 52243-0414, (319) 337-1270.

It is important that the high school transcript, or GED, and test scores 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 semester, summer term or spring semester. 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 from another institution must meet the following minimum transfer requirements (meeting minimum transfer requirements does not infer or guarantee admission to UNCW as a transfer student):

1. Must meet high school minimum course requirements;
   
   1. Six (6) course units in language, including,
      
      • four (4) units of English emphasizing grammar, composition, and literature,
        and,
      • two (2) units of language other than English
   2. Four (4) course units of mathematics, in any of the following combinations:
      
      • algebra I and II, geometry, and one (1) unit beyond algebra II,
      • algebra I and II, and two (2) units beyond algebra II, or
      • integrated math I, II, and III, and one (1) unit beyond integrated math III.
        It is recommended that prospective students take a mathematics course unit in the twelfth grade.
   3. Three (3) course units in science, including
      
      • at least one (1) unit in a life or biological science (for example, biology),
      • at least one (1) unit in physical science (for example, physical science, chemistry, physics), and
      • at least one (1) laboratory course.
   4. Two (2) course units in social studies, including one (1) unit in U.S. history, but an applicant who does not have the unit in U.S. history may be admitted on the condition that at least three (3) semester hours in that subject will be passed by the end of the sophomore year.
2. Must be eligible to return to the institution last attended.
3. Must have attained at least a 2.50 cumulative GPA (4.00 system) based on transfer courses attempted and on all transferable courses at all institutions attended.
4. Must have completed a minimum of 24 semester hours of transferable credit.
5. Must have completed at least six semester hours of freshman-level English.
6. Must have completed at least three semester hours of college-level mathematics.

We will also consider:

1. The individual grades received in courses and the academic rigor of courses completed.
2. Declared major and courses completed toward that major.
3. Essay, extra-curricular activities, and work experience.
4. High school grade point average and coursework, if you are applying with less than 24 hours completed.

Students seeking admission are required to have all transcripts of previous college or university work forwarded to the Office of Admissions by the registrar of each institution they have attended. Even though no transfer of credit may be involved, transcripts or records of attendance must certify all previous college or university work. The student must also submit an official final high school transcript or GED score report. UNCW will not accept transfer courses from non-accredited schools, or from business, trade, vocational or technical schools, except by previous contractual agreement with UNCW.

UNCW may, on a case-by-case basis, waive one or more of the high school minimum course requirements (#1 above), but transfer students must meet all other minimum transfer requirements (#2-#6 above). Waivers will be considered under the following circumstances:

1. The applicant is 24 years old or older.
2. The applicant is under 24 years of age and has a high school diploma or GED and:
   
   1. Has the associate of arts, the associate of science, the associate of fine arts, the baccalaureate, or any higher level degree from an accredited institution.
   2. Has completed 6 semester hours in college-level English, math, science, social sciences, and foreign languages with a 2.50 on a 4.00 scale (total of 30 semester hours).

Application Procedure for Transfer Students

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

1. Submit a completed application by the appropriate application deadline date.
2. Submit a $60 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 the registrar of each institution attended send an official transcript directly to the Office of Admissions, 601 S. College Road, Wilmington, North Carolina 28403-5904 by the application deadline date.
4. 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. Special program articulation agreements with Alamance Community College, Beaufort County Community College, Bladen Community College, Blue Ridge Community College, Brunswick Community College, Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, Cape Fear Community College, Carteret Community College, Catawba Valley Community College, Central Carolina Community College, Central Piedmont Community College, College of the Albemarle, Craven Community College, Davidson Community College, Forsyth Technical Community College, Gaston College, Guilford Technical Community College, Halifax Community College, Haywood Community College, Isothermal Community College, James Sprunt Community College, Martin Community College, Mayland Community College, Mitchell Community College, Nash Community College, Pamlico Community College, Piedmont Community College, Pitt Community College, Richmond Community College, Robeson Community College, Rockingham Community College, Sampson Community College, Southeastern Community College, Stanly Community College, Surry Community College, Tri-County Community College, Wake Technical Community College, Wayne Community College, and Wilkes Community College.
4. 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 the state transfer articulation Web site at http://www.northcarolina.edu/aa/articulation/index.htm.

Admission – Audit Students

Students who wish to take courses without receiving credit should apply to the Office of the Registrar immediately after the semester registration date. UNCW admits audit students on a space-available basis.

Admission – Graduate Students

Applicants to UNCW‘s graduate programs should direct all inquiries concerning admission to the Graduate School. Please refer to the graduate catalogue 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 freshmen and transfer admission must submit scores (TOEFL or IELTS) 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, but recommends that international students begin their studies in the fall 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 – Permission/Visiting Students

Students from other colleges or universities who intend to return to their home institution may attend UNCW as permission/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 permission/visiting student. Enrollment as a permission/visiting student from another institution in no way obligates the university to continue a student‘s enrollment at UNCW at the expiration of the permission/visiting period. All application deadline dates apply to permission/visiting students.

To attend fall or spring semesters, students apply as permission students and must submit the non-degree seeking undergraduate application, essay, $60 application fee, and an official transcript from their current or most recently attended college or university. Permission 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 in order to be considered for admission. A student may only attend as a permission student for two consecutive semesters (not including summer session).

To attend summer school, students apply as visiting (permission) students and submit the Summer Visiting Student application. The Summer Visiting Student application is available by February of each year at www.uncw.edu/summer.

Admission – Professional Schools and Select Programs

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

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

Admission – Senior Citizens

North Carolina General Assembly Session Law 2009-451, Senate Bill 202, Section 8.11.(b) repealed the waiving of tuition for North Carolina citizens age 65 and older.

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 primarily to juniors and seniors in the Wilmington area. Applications for dual-enrollment are available in the office of the high school counselor or the UNCW Admissions Office. Students may enter this program for the fall, spring, or summer terms and may only register for two undergraduate courses per term (six credit hours). 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. Each term applied for requires a new application. Late applications will not be considered. www.uncw.edu/admissions

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 must apply to the Office of Admissions before the application deadline date. An official transcript from the degree-granting institution must be sent from that institution 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 other 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 $60 application fee.

Former Undergraduates (Re-Enrolling)

Former UNCW students (who left in good academic standing) who have been away from the university for at least two consecutive semesters and wish to return to the university can apply through the Office of the Registrar by submitting the online re-enrolling form and a non-refundable $60 application fee. Any student who was away from the university for one semester and who was not in academic difficulty should contact the Office of the Registrar to re-enroll (without completing the re-enrolling form).

Former UNCW students who had been ineligible to return to the university must apply to re-enroll through the Office of the Registrar. Re-enrollee applicants will be billed a non-refundable $60 application fee soon after the online re-enrolling form is completed. Anyone academically ineligible two or more times may re-enroll during summer sessions only. Those who were in academic difficulty and need further information to understand their status and/or the re-enrolling policy should see the section on Retention Dismissal and Readmission  in this catalogue.

Re-enrolled students must register and remain enrolled in the term for which they were re-enrolled. Students who decide to resume enrollment in a term later than their re-enrollment term must submit a new re-enrollment application for the later term.

Any student who wants to re-enroll into UNCW and who attended another college or university since their last enrollment at the university must submit official transcripts from such institutions before they will be considered. A “C” average (2.00 out of 4.00 system) must have been attained on all work attempted at other institutions since leaving UNCW.

Former UNCW students who left in good academic standing must apply for re-enrollment before June 1 for fall semester and summer term, and December 1 for spring semester. Former UNCW students who have been declared academically ineligible to return to the university must complete the Re-enrollment Review Process. This process has earlier deadlines, as described below.

Re-enrollment Review

Former UNCW students who had been declared academically ineligible to return to the university must make their case in writing by submitting a statement to the Committee on Academic Reinstatement in addition to their online Re-enrollment Application. The instructions for requesting reinstatement will be provided by the Office of the Registrar. The reinstatement request must be submitted by March 1 for fall semester and October 1 for spring semester. The results of the review will be passed on to the Office of the Registrar with a determination of the acceptance, or rejection, of the applicants depending upon their potential for academic success. Students who are allowed to re-enroll may be required to meet with their dean to discuss their academic plans. Decisions of the deans in this regard are final.

Special Readmission Policy

Although the traditional policy for readmission is the norm, the university recognizes that individuals can gain personal and intellectual maturity over a period of years. Hence any former UNCW degree-seeking student whose grade point average was below the current retention standard may apply for special readmission provided the student has been out of UNCW for a minimum of five years. Special readmission may be granted only at the time of application for readmission. Special readmission status, once granted, may not be changed. Degree requirements for the student granted special readmission will be those in effect at the time the student re-enrolls. The student‘s original academic record will not be altered, and the student will receive academic credit only for past courses in which a grade point average of at least 2.00 was attained. The student‘s grade point average will be calculated only for those courses taken subsequent to re-enrollment. Failure to maintain an overall 2.00 grade point average after readmission will result in dismissal from the university. A student may be granted special readmission only once.

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.

Immunization and Medical History Form

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 submit a completed “Immunization and Medical History Form.” The form can be downloaded at http://www.uncw.edu/stuaff/healthservices/shc_records.htm.

There are three parts to the form:

• Immunization Record: Students can have their doctor‘s office complete and sign the form, or attach a copy of an official immunization record.
• Physical Examination: All students who will be taking Physical Education will need to have had a physical within the past year.
• Report of Medical History: All students must complete these two pages. Students under 18 will need to have a parent or guardian sign the form.

Immunizations that are REQUIRED pursuant to NC state law (as of October 1, 2009):

Footnote¹ - DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis), DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, acellular Pertussis), Td (Tetanus, Diphtheria), Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis): 3 doses of tetanus/diphtheria toxoid of which one must have been within the past 10 years.

Those individuals enrolling in college or university for the first time on or after July 1, 2008 must have had three doses of tetanus/diphtheria toxoid and a booster dose of tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis vaccine if a tetanus/diphtheria toxoid or tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis vaccine has not been administered within the past 10 years.

Footnote² – An individual attending school that has attained his or her 18th birthday is not required to receive polio vaccine.

Footnote³ - Measles vaccines are not required if any of the following occur: Diagnosis of disease prior to January 1, 1994; An individual who has been documented by serological testing to have a protective antibody titer against measles; or, An individual born prior to 1957. An individual who enrolled in college or university for the first time before July 1, 1994 is not required to have a second dose of measles vaccine.

Footnote⁴ - Mumps vaccine is not required if any of the following occur: An individual who has been documented by serological testing to have a protective antibody titer against mumps; An individual born prior to 1957; or Enrolled in college or university for the first time before July 1, 1994. An individual entering college or university prior to July 1, 2008 is not required to receive a second dose of mumps vaccine.

Footnote⁵ - Rubella vaccine is not required if any of the following occur: Fifty (50) years of age or older; Enrolled in college or university before February 1, 1989 and after their 30th birthday; An individual who has been documented by serological testing to have a protective antibody titer against rubella.

Footnote⁶ - Hepatitis B Vaccine is not required if any of the following applies: Born before July 1, 1994.

Immunization requirements taken directly from www.immunizenc.com/college.htm

International Students and/or non-US Citizens: Vaccines are required as noted above. Additionally, these students are required to have a Tb skin test (PPD or TST) 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 have received the meningococcal vaccine, and if so, the month, date and year of the vaccination.

Note: Laboratory proof of immunity to German Measles (Rubella), Red Measles (Rubeola) or Mumps is acceptable. Immunization records must bear either the administering provider‘s signature or the official stamp of the health care facility at which the immunizations were administered.

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.