unc wilmington essay

University of North Carolina at Wilmington | UNC Wilmington

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University of North Carolina - Wilmington

Why unc wilmington is right for me justin taylor ray, reflecting on your personal and educational goals, please write about how you believe unc wilmington will allow you to grow as a student and as a person..

When I toured UNC Wilmington as a junior, I was immediately intrigued by the atmosphere of the campus from the Warwick Center to the Marine Science Center. The staff on campus appeared to be dedicated to teaching and helping students with anything they needed. I believe UNC Wilmington is the ideal university for me to accomplish my goals as a student and as a person.

The diversity UNC Wilmington offers in its vast number of educational programs will allow me to reach my potential academically. I am looking forward to attaining a degree but still am not completely sure of what major I want to pursue. UNC Wilmington’s counselors and programs for incoming freshmen will help me to decide on a major because of the number of programs offered. As a student, I am always looking for the opportunity to learn new things. UNC Wilmington will allow me to engage in new things and pursue opportunities that I will not be able to find anywhere else.

In addition to allowing growth as a student, UNC Wilmington will allow me to pursue my personal goals. The extracurricular activities that UNC Wilmington has to offer are another factor that will allow me to grow as a person. Throughout my life, I have been dedicated to the sport of swimming. One...

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UNCW Requirements for Admission

Choose your test.

What are UNCW's admission requirements? While there are a lot of pieces that go into a college application, you should focus on only a few critical things:

• GPA requirements
• Testing requirements, including SAT and ACT requirements
• Application requirements

In this guide we'll cover what you need to get into UNCW and build a strong application.

School location: Wilmington, NC

This school is also known as: University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Admissions Rate: 68.8%

If you want to get in, the first thing to look at is the acceptance rate. This tells you how competitive the school is and how serious their requirements are.

The acceptance rate at UNCW is 68.8% . For every 100 applicants, 69 are admitted.

This means the school is moderately selective . The school expects you to meet their requirements for GPA and SAT/ACT scores, but they're more flexible than other schools. If you exceed their requirements, you have an excellent chance of getting in. But if you don't, you might be one of the unlucky minority that gets a rejection letter.

We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies . We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools , from state colleges to the Ivy League.

We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools.

Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.

UNCW GPA Requirements

Many schools specify a minimum GPA requirement, but this is often just the bare minimum to submit an application without immediately getting rejected.

The GPA requirement that really matters is the GPA you need for a real chance of getting in. For this, we look at the school's average GPA for its current students.

Average GPA: 4

The average GPA at UNCW is 4 .

(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA.

With a GPA of 4, UNCW requires you to be at the top of your class . You'll need nearly straight A's in all your classes to compete with other applicants. Furthermore, you should be taking hard classes - AP or IB courses - to show that college-level academics is a breeze.

If you're currently a junior or senior, your GPA is hard to change in time for college applications. If your GPA is at or below the school average of 4, you'll need a higher SAT or ACT score to compensate . This will help you compete effectively against other applicants who have higher GPAs than you.

SAT and ACT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for standardized testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them.

UNCW hasn't explicitly named a policy on SAT/ACT requirements, but because it's published average SAT or ACT scores (we'll cover this next), it's likely test flexible. Typically, these schools say, "if you feel your SAT or ACT score represents you well as a student, submit them. Otherwise, don't."

Despite this policy, the truth is that most students still take the SAT or ACT, and most applicants to UNCW will submit their scores. If you don't submit scores, you'll have one fewer dimension to show that you're worthy of being admitted, compared to other students. We therefore recommend that you consider taking the SAT or ACT, and doing well.

UNCW SAT Requirements

Many schools say they have no SAT score cutoff, but the truth is that there is a hidden SAT requirement. This is based on the school's average score.

Average SAT: 1277

The average SAT score composite at UNCW is a 1277 on the 1600 SAT scale.

This score makes UNCW Competitive for SAT test scores.

UNCW SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)

The 25th percentile SAT score is 1220, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1370. In other words, a 1220 on the SAT places you below average, while a 1370 will move you up to above average .

Here's the breakdown of SAT scores by section:

SAT Score Choice Policy

The Score Choice policy at your school is an important part of your testing strategy.

UNCW has the Score Choice policy of "Highest Section."

This is also known as "superscoring." This means that you can choose which SAT tests you want to send to the school. Of all the scores they receive, your application readers will consider your highest section scores across all SAT test dates you submit .

Click below to learn more about how superscoring critically affects your test strategy.

For example, say you submit the following 3 test scores:

Even though the highest total you scored on any one test date was 1000, UNCW will take your highest section score from all your test dates, then combine them to form your Superscore. You can raise your composite score from 1000 to 1400 in this example.

This is important for your testing strategy. Because you can choose which tests to send in, and UNCW 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. Your application readers will only see that one score.

Therefore, if your SAT superscore is currently below a 1277, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the SAT and retaking it . You have a very good chance of raising your score, which will significantly boost your chances of getting in.

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. This will give you the highest Superscore possible.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

UNCW ACT Requirements

Just like for the SAT, UNCW likely doesn't have a hard ACT cutoff, but if you score too low, your application will get tossed in the trash.

Average ACT: 26

The average ACT score at UNCW is 26. This score makes UNCW Moderately Competitive for ACT scores.

The 25th percentile ACT score is 24, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 29.

Even though UNCW likely says they have no minimum ACT requirement, if you apply with a 24 or below, you'll have a harder time getting in, unless you have something else impressive in your application.

ACT Score Sending Policy

If you're taking the ACT as opposed to the SAT, you have a huge advantage in how you send scores, and this dramatically affects your testing strategy.

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 is unlike the SAT, where many schools require you to send all your tests ever taken.

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 26 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can. When you have the final score that you're happy with, you can then send only that score to all your schools.

ACT Superscore Policy

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). Thus, most schools will just take your highest ACT score from a single sitting.

However, in our research, we found that UNCW does in fact offer an ACT superscore policy . To quote their Admissions Office:

If you send us scores from multiple test dates, we’ll take your highest score for each section of the test and consider those scores as we evaluate your application.

Superscoring is powerful to your testing strategy, and you need to make sure you plan your testing accordingly. Of all the scores that UNCW receives, your application readers will consider your highest section scores across all ACT test dates you submit .

For example, say you submit the following 4 test scores:

Even though the highest ACT composite you scored on any one test date was 20, UNCW will take your highest section score from all your test dates, then combine them to form your Superscore. You can raise your composite score from 20 to 32 in this example.

This is important for your testing strategy. Because you can choose which tests to send in, and UNCW 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. Your application readers will only see that one score.

Therefore, if your ACT score is currently below a 26, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the ACT and retaking it . You have a very good chance of raising your score, which will significantly boost your chances of getting in.

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. This will give you the highest Superscore possible.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and ACT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

SAT/ACT Writing Section Requirements

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. Because of this, no school requires the SAT Essay or ACT Writing section, but some schools do recommend certain students submit their results if they have them.

UNCW considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration. You don't need to worry too much about Writing for this school, but other schools you're applying to may require it.

Final Admissions Verdict

Because this school is moderately selective, strong academic performance will almost guarantee you admission . Scoring a 1370 SAT or a 29 ACT or above will nearly guarantee you admission. Because the school admits 68.8% of all applicants, being far above average raises the admission rate for you to nearly 100%.

If you can achieve a high SAT/ACT score, the rest of your application essentially doesn't matter. You still need to meet the rest of the application requirements, and your GPA shouldn't be too far off from the school average of 4. But you won't need dazzling extracurriculars and breathtaking letters of recommendation to get in. You can get in based on the merits of your score alone.

But if your score is a 1220 SAT or a 24 ACT and below, you have a good chance of being one of the unlucky few to be rejected.

Admissions Calculator

Here's our custom admissions calculator. Plug in your numbers to see what your chances of getting in are. Pick your test: SAT ACT

• 80-100%: Safety school: Strong chance of getting in
• 50-80%: More likely than not getting in
• 20-50%: Lower but still good chance of getting in
• 5-20%: Reach school: Unlikely to get in, but still have a shot
• 0-5%: Hard reach school: Very difficult to get in

How would your chances improve with a better score?

Take your current SAT score and add 160 points (or take your ACT score and add 4 points) to the calculator above. See how much your chances improve?

At PrepScholar, we've created the leading online SAT/ACT prep program . We guarantee an improvement of 160 SAT points or 4 ACT points on your score, or your money back.

Here's a summary of why we're so much more effective than other prep programs:

• PrepScholar customizes your prep to your strengths and weaknesses . You don't waste time working on areas you already know, so you get more results in less time.
• We guide you through your program step-by-step so that you're never confused about what you should be studying. Focus all your time learning, not worrying about what to learn.
• Our team is made of national SAT/ACT experts . PrepScholar's founders are Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers . You'll be studying using the strategies that actually worked for them.
• We've gotten tremendous results with thousands of students across the country. Read about our score results and reviews from our happy customers .

There's a lot more to PrepScholar that makes it the best SAT/ACT prep program. Click to learn more about our program , or sign up for our 5-day free trial to check out PrepScholar for yourself:

Application Requirements

Every school requires an application with the bare essentials - high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information. Many schools, as explained above, also require SAT and ACT scores, as well as letters of recommendation, application essays, and interviews. We'll cover the exact requirements of UNCW here.

Application Requirements Overview

• Common Application Accepted
• Electronic Application Available
• Essay or Personal Statement Required for all freshmen
• Letters of Recommendation 1
• Interview Not required
• Application Fee $80
• Fee Waiver Available? Available
• Other Notes

Testing Requirements

• SAT or ACT Considered if submitted
• SAT Essay or ACT Writing Optional
• SAT Subject Tests
• Scores Due in Office February 1

Coursework Requirements

• Subject Required Years
• Foreign Language 2
• Social Studies 1

Deadlines and Early Admissions

• Offered? Deadline Notification
• Yes February 1 January 20
• Yes November 1 January 20

Admissions Office Information

• Address: 601 Wilmington, NC 28403
• Phone: (910) 962-3000 x3000
• Fax: (910) 962-3038
• Email: [email protected]

Other Schools For You

If you're interested in UNCW, you'll probably be interested in these schools as well. We've divided them into 3 categories depending on how hard they are to get into, relative to UNCW.

Reach Schools: Harder to Get Into

These schools are have higher average SAT scores than UNCW. If you improve your SAT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

Same Level: Equally Hard to Get Into

If you're competitive for UNCW, these schools will offer you a similar chance of admission.

Safety Schools: Easier to Get Into

If you're currently competitive for UNCW, you should have no problem getting into these schools. If UNCW is currently out of your reach, you might already be competitive for these schools.

Data on this page is sourced from Peterson's Databases © 2023 (Peterson's LLC. All rights reserved.) as well as additional publicly available sources.

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Undergraduate Application for Admission

Thank you for your interest in the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW). Please review admission and application requirements before completing the application.

Applicants who claim to be a resident of North Carolina for tuition purposes must complete the residency process with the Residency Determination Service (RDS). Applicants will receive a Residency Certification Number (RCN) which should be entered onto your admissions application.

Applied through the Common Application? You will be emailed login credentials for your application status portal. 

Please note the Spring 2024 application is closed.

We have extended the  enrollment deadline to May 15, 2024 . View the announcement .

Application Prompts for 2023-2024

Your essay and short answer responses help us get to know you.

We’ve selected the following prompts for the UNC-specific portion for the first-year and transfer applications for 2023-2024. We’re proud of the Carolina community and how each student makes us better through their excellence, intellect, and character. In reading your responses, we hope to learn what being a part of the Carolina community would mean to you.

Short answer prompts

We’d like to know how you’d contribute to the Carolina community and ask that you respond to each prompt in up to 250 words.

• Discuss one of your personal qualities and share a story, anecdote, or memory of how it helped you make a positive impact on a community. This could be your current community or another community you have engaged.
• Discuss an academic topic that you’re excited to explore and learn more about in college. Why does this topic interest you? Topics could be a specific course of study, research interests, or any other area related to your academic experience in college.

Common Application essay

You’ll choose one Common Essay prompt to respond to in 250-650 words. These prompts are common to all schools who accept the Common Application, and you can view the prompts here. Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don’t feel obligated to do so. The Common Application also has an optional section where you’ll have the opportunity to write about how COVID-19 has affected you.

Your responses will be evaluated not only for admission, but also for possible selection for scholarships and other special opportunities. We look forward to learning more about you!

• WILMINGTON, NC

University of North Carolina - Wilmington

• grade  B+ Overall Grade
• Rating 3.78 out of 5   2,005 reviews

Monthly Update

Admitted students! Seahawk Preview Day Registration is open! Join us on April 13th and learn about UNCW's academic departments, cultural centers, and more. Register in your UNCW applicant portal today! Learn More

Report Card

• Academics grade  B+
• Value grade  B
• Diversity grade  B
• Campus grade  A minus
• Athletics grade  B+
• Party Scene grade  A minus
• Professors grade  A minus
• Location grade  A
• Dorms grade  B
• Campus Food grade  B+
• Student Life grade  A
• Safety grade  B minus
• Common App Accepted
• Public College
• SAT/ACT Optional
• Some Online Degrees
• North Carolina

UNCW stands out among the best universities in the UNC System, ranking near the Top 100 Public Universities in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report. The UNCW experience integrates teaching and mentoring with research and service, preparing students to soar after graduation.

• Who might I meet at UNCW?
• What can I study?
• What is Seahawk life like?
• Financial Aid

Upcoming Events

Seahawk preview day.

Wilmington, NC

Save the Date for our Spring Open House - All admitted First-Year and Transfer Students are welcome!

University of North Carolina - Wilmington Rankings

Niche rankings are based on rigorous analysis of key statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and millions of reviews.

• Best Colleges for Public Health in America 45 of 281
• Best Colleges for Kinesiology and Physical Therapy in America 87 of 591
• Best Colleges for Nursing in America 91 of 774
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Will You Get In?

Will you get into uncw.

Test Scores and High School GPA for University of North Carolina - Wilmington See Other Colleges

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• Nursing 782 Graduates
• Business 689 Graduates
• Psychology 245 Graduates
• Communications 210 Graduates
• Biology 193 Graduates
• Kinesiology and Exercise Science 172 Graduates
• Elementary Education 151 Graduates
• Criminology 111 Graduates
• Environmental Science 102 Graduates
• Cinematography and Video Production 95 Graduates

UNCW’s Lecci Advances Brain Injury Research Work

Psychology professor Dr. Lecci was recently awarded 149,000 dollars from the Chuck Noll Foundation for Brain Injury Research. Lecci and UNCW students will partner with the mobile app Sportsgait to examine concussion recovery in underserved populations. Dr. Lecci is the principal investigator and will facilitate medical practices and research concussion centers.

• Mix of Online and on Campus 57%
• On Campus 26%
• Friendly 54%
• Southern 16%
• Open-minded 11%
• Outgoing 4%
• Indifferent 3%
• Stressed 3%

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Campus life.

• Amazing 16%
• Busy campus in a beach town, best of both worlds! 13%
• Add of the above as well as caring and supportive 10%
• Strong Academic Focus 10%
• Encouraging 7%

After College

University of north carolina - wilmington reviews.

• Rating 5 out of 5   Excellent 484   reviews ( 24 %)
• Rating 4 out of 5   Very Good 807   reviews ( 40 %)
• Rating 3 out of 5   Average 558   reviews ( 28 %)
• Rating 2 out of 5   Poor 107   reviews ( 5 %)
• Rating 1 out of 5   Terrible 49   reviews ( 2 %)
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• Victor Mukhin

Victor M. Mukhin was born in 1946 in the town of Orsk, Russia. In 1970 he graduated the Technological Institute in Leningrad. Victor M. Mukhin was directed to work to the scientific-industrial organization "Neorganika" (Elektrostal, Moscow region) where he is working during 47 years, at present as the head of the laboratory of carbon sorbents.     Victor M. Mukhin defended a Ph. D. thesis and a doctoral thesis at the Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology of Russia (in 1979 and 1997 accordingly). Professor of Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology of Russia. Scientific interests: production, investigation and application of active carbons, technological and ecological carbon-adsorptive processes, environmental protection, production of ecologically clean food.   

Title : Active carbons as nanoporous materials for solving of environmental problems

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