Student Life Questions

1. Are freshmen required to live on campus?

2. Are residence halls on campus safe?

3. What type of Meal Plans and Food Services does UNCW offer?

4. What is there to do here on weekends?

5. Is it hard to get housing? Can I choose my roommate?

6. Are there freshmen residence halls?

7. Are the residence hall coed?

8. What are the residence hall visitation policies?

9. If I don’t have a car how can I get around?

10. What types of programs are offered for new freshmen?

11. What is UNCW’s drug/alcohol policy?

12. How much spending money will I need at UNCW?

13. What is the career services center?

14. What is the wellness promotion center?

15. What services does the student development center provide?

16. What happens if I get sick?

Academic Questions

1. When will I declare a major?

2. So if I am accepted to UNCW, I am not automatically a nursing major (or business, education, communication studies etc) major?

3. What is General College?

4. Does UNCW offer tutoring?

5. Does UNCW have an honors program? When and how can I become a part of it?

6. What are learning communities?

7. Are faculty members accessible if I am having a concern about a class?

8. Do you have pre-med or pre-law majors?

9. Can you tell me more about the pre-med advising program?

10. Do you have Engineering?

11. Do you have foreign language requirements?

12. Can I study abroad?

13. What do you have to score on the ______ AP exam to receive credit?

14. What are the hours for the library?

Admissions Questions

1. What is the minimum SAT?

2. What about the ACT? Do you accept that? What are the minimum scores?

3. I have taken the SAT several times. Will you take the highest combined score, or the highest math and verbal score from all test dates?

4. I have one really low score. Is there a way I cannot have that score sent?

5. What is the minimum GPA requirement?

6. My school does not rank. Do you require a rank?

7. My school does not weight our grades; or my school has a hard grading scale; will that hurt me in this process?

8. But how will you know about my high school?

9. Will you consider my AP courses

10. My school does not offer APs. Will I be at a disadvantage in this process?

11. Do you require recommendations?

12. I am not from North Carolina. Must I meet the University of North Carolina’s system minimum state requirements as well?

13. I do not meet these minimum requirements. Can you make exceptions?

14. But I really want to attend UNCW, is there something I can do?

15. I meet the minimum state requirements. Will you automatically admit me to UNCW?

16. I have done very well in my classes in 11th grade and now in my senior year. However, I did not do as well in 9th and 10th grade. Will those two years pretty much ruin my chances for admission?

17. I have been very involved in high school but my grades suffered. Will you consider my involvement more than my academic work?

18. I did participated in some activities, but I was not overly involved. Will this hurt my chances for admissions?

19. Specifically, what activities should I be involved? What kind of activities will the UNCW committee like?

20. I would like the admissions committee to see some of my artwork (or whatever they may want to send), should I send that too?

21. I heard my essay must “jump off the page”. How do I do that? What should I write?

22. I wrote a good essay for another school. Could I send that one to you or would the admission committee not like that?

23. Should I type my essay? Will it count against me if it is not typed?

24. I have already been accepted at _______ but won’t hear from UNCW until January/April. I need to let ___________ know if I am attending or not so I won’t lose my spot. I need my decision from UNCW now!

25. What are the admissions deadline deadlines?

26. How much is the application fee?

Student Life Answers

1. Are freshmen required to live on campus?
Freshmen are not required but we encourage them to live on campus. 70 percent live on-campus and 23 percent of the student body as a whole lives on campus. Housing is guaranteed for freshmen and transfer students who would like to live on campus.

2. Are residence halls on campus safe?
UNCW maintains its own university police force, which patrols the campus on foot, by bike and by car 24 hours a day. They offer self-defense training, emergency call boxes, and an escort service here on campus. Desk receptionists monitor traffic in residence halls 24 hours a day as well. Housing staff and the university police department make regular rounds through each of the residence halls.

3. What type of Meal Plans and Food Services does UNCW offer?
All students living on campus must purchase a meal plan. Meal plans contain nine, fourteen, or nineteen meals per week, which are served at Wagoner Dining Hall. These meals plans also come with food dollars, which can be used to purchase items on a cash basis at the Hawk’s Nest, Seahawk Station Convenience Store, Courtside Snack Shop, Java Coffee Shops and the Seahawk Grill. All food services on campus are provided by ARA/Aramark Food Services.

4. What is there to do here on weekends?
A recent survey found that most students spend 10 or more weekends in Wilmington each semester. There are many more activities occurring on campus than one student can attend! Most are planned by students, for students, and are free or low cost through campus activities and the Association for Campus Entertainment. Events, programs and activities provide for cultural, social, leadership, and recreational opportunities. Events on campus include movies each Friday night, concerts, Heart and Sole, intramurals, Discover Outdoor Programs, and sports clubs. The gazebo recreation area offers students tennis, basketball, volleyball, and softball courts and fields.

5. Is it hard to get housing? Can I choose my roommate?
Housing is guaranteed to all incoming freshmen and transfer students who would like to live on campus. Roommate requests will be honored if space permits. It is advised that both roommates return their housing contract together in the same envelope as soon as possible.

6. Are there freshmen residence halls?
While no residence hall is specifically designed as a “freshman” residence hall, the majority of freshmen live in the traditional residence halls. Upperclassmen primarily live in the university suites and on-campus apartments.

7. Are the residence hall coed?
All the residence halls are coed, except for Belk, which is all female. Galloway is coed by wing. Graham is coed by floor, with the first floor all male, the second all female, and the third and fourth are mixed.

8. What are the residence hall visitation policies?
At the beginning of the fall semester, all residential facilities (except the University Apartments, the University Suites, and International Residence hall) begins with visitation hours that are set at 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday and 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. Within the first two weeks of the fall semester, residence hall students can vote for extended visitation hours. Same gender overnight guests are allowed for a maximum of three nights in any given two-week period. Guests are identified and registered through the front desk of each residence hall. Each resident can have a total of three guests signed in at one time. Residents can sign a guest in overnight if the guest does not already live on campus, and has not been checked in three or more night as an overnight guest within a two-week period.

9. If I don’t have a car how can I get around?
Many students bring bicycles, in-line skates, and skateboards with them to UNCW. Wilmington Transit Authority (WTA) offers a shuttle service to surrounding areas of the campus and brings students to the University Center parking lot. All UNCW students may ride any WTA bus for free with a UNSEA card. The Wilmington airport is served by a number of airlines, and the union is home to a riders/rides needed board.

10. What types of programs are offered for new freshmen?
We have several programs available to help freshmen become better acquainted with UNCW. They include freshmen orientation, freshmen parents’ weekend, student academic support programs, student development counselors, career services center, and resident assistants.

11. What is UNCW’s drug/alcohol policy?
The illegal use, possession, sale, delivery, and/or manufacture of drugs/alcohol will not be tolerated and may be grounds for immediate dismissal of students, faculty members, administrative officers, and university employees. In the residence halls only students who are 21 years of age and older may consume alcohol in the privacy of their room.

12. How much spending money will I need at UNCW?
The financial aid office at UNCW estimates that a student will need $2,116 per year for miscellaneous expenses that include groceries, furniture, gasoline/transit costs, automobile expenses, auto payments, auto insurance, medical expenses, recreation and entertainment.

13. What is the career services center?
Career services helps students prepare for academics as well as careers. Special services for freshmen and sophomores include career interest assessment, values clarification, and occupational data to assist students make informed decisions about academic majors. Career Services also encourages students to participate in internship opportunities for learning outside the classroom and personal career exploration. In addition, career services will help graduating seniors translate their academic achievements into successful job campaigns or graduate school applications.

14. What is the wellness promotion center?
The wellness promotion center is the campus resource for health education programs, which addresses a wide range of topics. These include nutrition, relationships, cancer prevention, sexuality, HIV/Aids, and smoking cessation. Students can have their blood pressure checked, stop by the “self care cold center”, get free condoms, or even get information on a health issue for a class assignment. The center hires students to work as peer educators to teach other students about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. The peer educators also plan campus-wide health promotion events.

15. What services does the student development center provide?
The student development center provides confidential individual and group counseling for personal, social or educational concerns. As part of the university substance abuse education and prevention program, the center also provides substance abuse assessment, referral, and treatment for students. The office of disability services assists in providing academic accommodations appropriate to the specific needs of students with disabilities. Areas of service include tutoring, extended-time testing, note-takers, taped texts, and registration assistance. The office is also available for consultation and advocacy. The National Testing Program administers tests including the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, PRAXIS, MAT, CLEP and correspondence testing.

16. What happens if I get sick?
Columbia Health Care manages our campus student health center. Located in Friday Annex, there is also a pharmacy next door. The center is staffed by doctors, nurses, physician’s assistants, and physical therapists who provide care for acute illnesses as well as some chronic illnesses. Other services include pap-smears, contraception, an orthopedics clinic, and sexually transmitted diseases services.

Academic Answers

1 . When will I declare a major?
Typically students will declare a major at the end of their freshmen year or the beginning of their sophomore year. Departments and schools have various requirements for admission to their programs. Make sure you meet with your assigned advisor regularly during your first year. They will make sure that you are on the right track for the degree program you are interested in.

2. So if I am accepted to UNCW, I am not automatically a nursing major (or business, education, communication studies etc) major?
That’s right. All admitted students are initially assigned to the General College. You will have to make a separate application to the professional schools, usually at the end of your sophomore year. The Business, Education and Nursing schools have different sets of criteria for admission to their perspective schools. Generally each school requires that you take certain coursework and have a certain GPA for admission. Additionally some departments in the College of Arts and Sciences have GPA and course requirements. See the University catalogue for specific information.

3. What is General College?
The General College provides academic advising to you until you declare a major. You are advised by professional advisors, or specially trained faculty advisors drawn from the College of Arts and Sciences and the Schools of Business, Education, and Nursing. Your advisor will provide you with guidance and encouragement in selecting courses and deciding on your major and meeting academic requirements. The General College also provides intervention services for you if you find yourself in academic difficulty.

4. Does UNCW offer tutoring?
The University Learning Services offers a Math Lab, Tutoring and Learning Center and the Writing Place to assist students academically. Free tutoring is available in all basic studies courses as well as some upper level courses. Additionally the university offers academic skills workshops that include topics like time management, learning styles, textbook reading strategies, note-taking strategies, and test-taking skills.

5. Does UNCW have an honors program? When and how can I become a part of it?
Yes, we have the Honors Scholars Program that provides academically talented students with innovative and unique educational experiences. The Honors Scholars Program offers admissions at different points in your academic career. As a freshman, the Honors Scholars Program will invite you to join during the regular university admissions process. As a sophomore you are invited to join based on high academic achievement as a freshmen. As a junior/senior your can join through your academic department (this option includes transfer students).

6. What are learning communities?
This fall UNCW is offering a new program called Learning Communities for new freshmen. UNCW’s Learning Communities motto is “Live to learn…Learn to Live.” Students participating in this program will live and take most of their classes with the same group of students. They will have a lot in common with the other students in their Learning Community because the courses they take together will be linked. Additionally the students live and take many of their classes in Cornerstone Hall, UNCW newest residence hall. This modern building has all the amenities for comfortable living, as well as state-of-the-art classrooms.

7. Are faculty members accessible if I am having a concern about a class?
UNCW is primarily an undergraduate teaching oriented institution. Faculty hold regular office hours and often will meet with you at other times that may be more convenient for you.

8. Do you have pre-med or pre-law majors?
UNCW offers pre-professional advising in several areas: health, dentistry, law, medicine, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, podiatry and veterinary medicine. Each of these areas has an assigned advisor, who will help you best prepare for admissions to specific graduate programs. You will not “major” in any of these areas, but will receive guidance on how to best prepare academically for your chosen field.

9. Can you tell me more about the pre-med advising program?
If you are interested in pursuing medicine as a career you can major in any discipline as long as certain basic courses are incorporated into your curriculum. Your medical school advisor will know what basic courses medical schools expect, and will assist you as you plan your curriculum. You should receive a copy of the UNCW Pre-medical Sciences Student Manual, which outlines the services available, and a checklist for the medical school application process. The medical school advisor also maintains a file of information on medical schools, materials to help you prepare for the MCATs and applications to med schools. UNCW also offers the Health Sciences Club to help pre-med students understand their options.

10. Do you have Engineering?
We offer 2+2 and 3+2 Engineering Programs. The 2+2 Engineering Program is offered jointly by UNCW and North Carolina’s three state-supported Colleges of Engineering. The program offers you an opportunity to complete half of your degree requirements at UNCW and the second half at NC State, UNC Charlotte, or NC A&T. The 3+2 program is an Environmental Science and Environmental Engineering program offered through UNCW and NC State. Students who complete this program will receive two degrees, one in Environmental Science from UNCW, and one from NC State in Environmental Engineering.

11. Do you have foreign language requirements?
Yes all students are required to take at least 3 credit hours in a foreign language as part of the Basic Studies requirements. In addition to foreign language, student must also take mathematics. In foreign language or mathematics a student can prove competency by passing a waiver examination.

12. Can I study abroad?
Yes, UNCW has an extensive exchange and study abroad opportunities for students. Students can study in Australia, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, Korea, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan and Thailand.

13. What do you have to score on the ______ AP exam to receive credit?
Generally you should score a 3 or better on most AP tests to be considered for college credit and advanced placement. You should have your Advanced Placement test score reports sent to the Office of the Registrar for evaluation. AP credits

14. What are the hours for the library?
The library hours are Monday-Thursday 7 a.m. to midnight, Friday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday 1 p.m. to midnight.

Admissions Answers

1. What is the minimum SAT?
50% of the students admitted to UNCW had SAT scores between 1060 and 1220. 25%, had SATs below 1060 and 25% had SATs above 1220. We will consider all students who apply, regardless of SATs. Remember SAT is only one factor in the decision.

2. What about the ACT? Do you accept that? What are the minimum scores?
Yes, we accept the ACT. As with the SAT, we will consider all students who apply, regardless of an ACT score. Remember the ACT, as the SAT is only one factor in the decision.

3. I have taken the SAT several times. Will you take the highest combined score, or the highest math and verbal score from all test dates?
We will take the highest math and verbal score from all test dates and create your highest total score from those.

4. I have one really low score. Is there a way I cannot have that score sent?
Actually, I am not sure. Contact the College Board or your guidance counselor. However, if you are worried that one test score will effect your evaluation, do not! The admissions committee will take your best verbal and math score from your test dates, and create a highest total. The low score will not effect your admission decision.

5. What is the minimum GPA requirement?
There is not a minimum GPA requirement, but last year, the average GPA of students admitted to UNCW was 3.70. However, keep in mind, this average includes all GPAs from admitted students, weighted and unweighted. So, do not simply compare your GPA to our average. The admissions committee will look closely at your grades. We are looking for A/B students with a few Cs, in the major academic areas. Grades below a C will affect your chances of admissions.

6. My school does not rank. Do you require a rank?
No, we do not require rank to make a decision.

7. My school does not weight our grades; or my school has a hard grading scale; will that hurt me in this process?
No. We will review many different types of GPAs, from hundreds of different school. We will evaluate your application in relationship to your high school. It is the responsibility of the admissions staff to understand your particular high school, and understand your grading scale. Do not worry; we have not encountered a grading scale we cannot handle.

8. But how will you know about my high school?
Each member of the admissions committee is responsible for a specific geographic region. They are responsible for knowing the high schools in their regions (courses available, grading scales etc). Additionally most of your counselors will send a profile of your high school, which tells us important information we need to help us make an evaluation. Lastly, if in doubt we will simply call your high school and ask.

9. Will you consider my AP courses?
Of course. Your high school preparation is the most important factor in our decision. We will look to see that you have covered the five major areas (English, Math, Science, History/Social Studies, and Foreign Language). We then check the level of difficulty of the courses you choose to take (honors, AP, IB, etc). Lastly, but probably most importantly we look at the grades you received.

10. My school does not offer APs. Will I be at a disadvantage in this process?
No. The admissions committee will make an evaluation based on the high school you are attending. They want to see that you have taken the most competitive courses available to you at your high school.

11. Do you require recommendations?
No, we do not require recommendations. However, feel free to include a statement from a teacher or your guidance counselor if you would like. This is especially important if there are any circumstances you think need further explanation.

12. I am not from North Carolina. Must I meet the University of North Carolina’s system minimum state requirements as well?
Yes. All applicants to an institution in the University of North Carolina system must meet the minimum requirements.

13. I do not meet these minimum requirements. Can you make exceptions?
Unfortunately, we cannot. State law does not allow us to admit students without meeting the minimum requirements.

14. But I really want to attend UNCW, is there something I can do?
We suggest you look into our transfer options. You could attend a community college or another four-year institution. You must take the following coursework:
1. 6 semester hours of freshmen composition
2. 6 semester hours of college level math
3. 6 semester hours of science
4. 6 semester hours of social studies
5. 6 semester hours of foreign languge
You must also have a 2.2 cumulative GPA (4.0 scale)

15. I meet the minimum state requirements. Will you automatically admit me to UNCW?
No, meeting minimum state requirements does not automatically gain you admission to UNCW. Students most competitive for admission will exceed these minimum standards. In addition to the minimum requirements, the admission committee will consider:
a. The difficulty of the coursework you have taken
b. Your grades, GPA, and/or class rank
c. Your standardized test scores (SAT, ACT). Most students admitted to UNCW have test scores between 1060 and 1220. 25% had test scores below 1060, and 25% had test scores above 1220.
d. Your personal qualities: Extracurricular activities, community activities, talents, interests, hobbies, work experience, or life experiences AND personal essay

16. I have done very well in my classes in 11th grade and now in my senior year. However, I did not do as well in 9th and 10th grade. Will those two years pretty much ruin my chances for admission?
No! The admission committee will review your entire high school career, but will focus on 11th and 12th grade. In this case, improving grades is a good sign. However, grades that are declining through 11th grade could hurt your chances of admission. Whatever the situation it always assists the admission committee if you include a brief explanation for any poor grades.

17. I have been very involved in high school but my grades suffered. Will you consider my involvement more than my academic work?
While extra-curricular activities are an important consideration, you must have the academic credentials before all else. We will consider your involvement, but it cannot outweigh your academic work.

18. I did participated in some activities, but I was not overly involved. Will this hurt my chances for admissions?
No! We are not evaluating the number of activities you were involved in, but more concerned with the level of commitment you have for those you are involved. We will look at the number of years of involvement, your contributions as a member or leader etc.

19. Specifically, what activities should I be involved? What kind of activities will the UNCW committee like?
You should choose activities that you will enjoy, stay committed to, and contribute your time and talents. The people on the admissions committee have various interests of their own. You cannot join activities based on what you think the University wants or the committee wants. Remember we are trying to enroll a well-rounded class, not necessary a class of well-rounded people, all with similar interests.

20. I would like the admissions committee to see some of my artwork (or whatever they may want to send), should I send that too?
You can send additional information, but it is not necessary or encouraged. Please do not send us anything original, or anything that you would want us to return. We cannot return anything you send us. We will destroy any information you send after the admission process.

21. I heard my essay must “jump off the page”. How do I do that? What should I write?
The admission’s essay is an opportunity for the admission committee to learn more about you. We are not expecting a Pulitzer Prize winning essay! What we want to see is a well-written essay that gives us some insight into you. Sometimes a very simple topic works best. Have someone proof your essay as well, and ask them if the essay gives them a “feel” for who you are. Avoid the “I am”, “I do” essays. We will have that information from your application. Instead, tell us why you do what you do, why you are who you are etc.

22. I wrote a good essay for another school. Could I send that one to you or would the admission committee not like that?
Of course, you can attach another essay you have already written. We are not asking you to include an essay to make this process more difficult. We want to access your writing ability and learn more about you. We can do that with any essay that you wrote. Just let us know what the original topic was, and make sure you include your name and social security number top of the page.

23. Should I type my essay? Will it count against me if it is not typed?
It is helpful to the admissions committee if you did type it. We are reading thousands of essays, and our eyes get weary! No, it will not count against you if it is not typed. However, if you cannot type it, please print it, very neatly. We cannot evaluate any essay we cannot read.

24. I have already been accepted at _______ but won’t hear from UNCW until January/April. I need to let ___________ know if I am attending or not so I won’t lose my spot. I need my decision from UNCW now!
UNCW has a competitive admissions process, and we evaluate all our applicants during specific review periods. We realize you want to finalize your plans, BUT you have until May 1 before you have to make a decision. The university that admitted you is obligated to hold your place until May 1 (unless you were admitted under a binding early decision plan). If a university or college is pressuring or insisting on a commitment before May 1, please notify your guidance counselor. They will know how to handle the situat

25. What are the admissions deadline dates?
The deadlines dates are November 1 and February 1. If you apply by November 1, the admissions office will notify you with a decision no later than January 20. If you apply by February 1, you will hear from admissions no later than April 1.

26. How much is the application fee?
The application fee is $45.