UNC schools could make it more difficult for students to be admitted

It could soon be more difficult for students to get admitted into North Carolina colleges.

The University of North Carolina System is looking to raise the minimum requirements for students to get into its 16 schools, including the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University and North Carolina Central University.

As of Wednesday, prospective students do not have to submit standardized test scores to apply. In 2021, 59% of applicants did not submit an ACT or SAT score. It increased to 64% in 2022.

In 2020, the UNC System Board of Governors waived testing requirements for admissions early in the pandemic. The board extended the decision twice.

However, it could end with students looking to get into college in fall 2025.

“I don’t think UNC should be in a race to the bottom to lower admissions in order to fill seats,” said UNC Board of Governors member Art Pope.

The Board of Governors met virtually Wednesday to discuss the proposal ahead of a deadline looming for students applying for the fall 2025 semester.

There are two options:

1. If the board does not decide to waive testing requirements for admission

• Class of fall 2025: Waiver expires, and policy returns to 2020 standards (2.5 GPA OR 19 on ACT/1010 on SAT)

2. If the board decides on the draft policy

• Class of fall 2025: Test scores are required for those applying in Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 if weighted GPA is between 2.5 and 2.8
• Fall 2026 and after: Minimum score of 17 on ACT or 930 on SAT if weighted GPA is between 2.5 and 2.8
• Individual universities could require scores from all applicants in approved by the president and Board of Governors

The board did not make a decision on Wednesday. Board members will consider the proposal to raise the minimum requirements at a meeting in April.

"We’ve found our way to an appropriate position here, which is to use both pieces of information judiciously to think about student readiness in admission,” said UNC System VP for Strategy and Policy Andrew Kelly.

The proposal is gaining support from within the board and several university chancellors despite concerns about equity.

“I think the primary concern we’ve heard many times is the accessibility to testing and resources,” said UNC Board of Governors student member Estefany Gordillo-Rivas.

The UNC System said only 548 in-state, public high school students admitted in 2022 would not meet the new proposed requirements. About 63% of those students did not make academic progress or didn't come back to a UNC system school for a second year.

“I think the potential harm of not requiring the test is greater,” Pope said. “Even though one individual may suffer, I think the whole we’ll have better preparedness.”