Apply as a First-Year Student

Hone your skills and amplify your passions in a collaborative community of creatives and innovators. Apply for first-year admission to UNC Asheville as a high school student or if you have not received college credit since graduating from high school. 

Before starting your application, find out more about the requirements and deadlines for first-year applicants, and learn what makes UNC Asheville a transformative start.

First-Year Student Application Requirements

Review key information about the admissions process.

Apply using the Common Application or CFNC Application.

Obtain at least a 2.5 weighted high school GPA or a minimum test score on either the ACT (19) or the SAT (1010).

Test scores are not required for 2024-25 applicants. If you choose to submit test scores, use the following school codes: 3064 (ACT) and 5013 (SAT).

To be eligible for admission, a student should present a minimum of 15 units of high school coursework within four traditional academic areas – English, mathematics, sciences, and social studies.

Minimum Course Requirements

  • 4 units of English
  • 4 units of college preparatory mathematics
    • 2 levels of algebra
    • 1 level of geometry
    • 1 higher level mathematics course for which algebra II is a prerequisite
    • For students attending a North Carolina public high school, the fourth unit of math must be one of the below courses. For all other students, the fourth math must be comparable to one of the courses listed below or be approved by the Office of Admission & Financial Aid.
      • AP Calculus
      • AP Statistics
      • Pre-Calculus
      • Discrete Mathematics
      • IB Mathematics Level II
      • Integrated Mathematics IV
      • Advanced Functions and Modeling
      • Essentials for College Math
  • 3 units in science
    • 1 life science
    • 1 non-life science
    • 1 laboratory science
  • 2 units of social studies
    • 1 in United States history
  • 2 additional units from English, mathematics, science, social studies, world languages, or computer science
    • Completion of 2 sequential world language courses is recommended

If your high school record lacks any of the units mentioned above or if you hold a GED, you may present at least one of the following to meet minimum eligibility for admission:

  • Complete at least 24 total transferable semester hours from an accredited college or university (excluding hours awarded by dual enrollment, AP, IB or other credit by exam); OR
  • Complete at least 24 total transferable semester hours from an accredited college or university (excluding hours awarded by AP, IB or other credit by exam) after receiving your GED or high school equivalency; OR
  • Be at least 21 years of age by the time you enroll in your first term at UNC Asheville.

If you do not meet the minimum course requirements and cannot present one of the alternatives listed above, you may still apply for admission. We encourage you to explain in your application what circumstances may have prevented you from fulfilling these course requirements.

Pay the non-refundable application fee of $75. UNC Asheville waives the application fee for all students who apply during CFNC’s Free Application Week, which is historically the third week in October. Fee waivers outside of this week are also available through CommonApp and CFNC. If you have questions, please contact the Office of Admission and Financial Aid.

Direct your high school to send your official transcripts to UNC Asheville’s Office of Admission and Financial Aid at admissions@unca.edu or:

Brown Hall – Lower Level, CPO #1320
One University Heights
Asheville, NC 28804

Test Optional Policy

Test scores are optional for first-year admission to UNC Asheville for 2024-25. If you choose to submit test scores, our minimum requirements are 19 for the ACT or 1010 for the SAT. Official test scores can only be received directly from the testing agency. 

Our Admission Counselors will evaluate all applications, whether or not they include test scores, using our comprehensive review process. 

Overhead shot of 2 students sitting and working in Highsmith

Admission Deadlines

When you apply by one of our Early Action or Regular Decision deadlines, you ensure that your academic, community, and extracurricular experience will be considered with your application. Our Early Action deadline allows first-year applicants to receive their application decisions sooner, so they can get a head-start preparing for life as a UNC Asheville Bulldog! 

Early Action admission is not a binding commitment.

Fall Enrollment:
  • Early Action: November 1
  • Regular Decision: February 1

Students who apply by the February 1 Regular Decision deadline are automatically considered for University Merit Award.

Applications for fall enrollment that are submitted after the Regular Decision deadline are considered on a space-available basis.

Spring Enrollment:
  • Regular Decision: November 1

Learn More About Tuition and Financial Aid

At UNC Asheville, you’ll obtain a world-expanding education at an affordable cost. Our commitment to academic excellence is born out of small class sizes, dedicated professor-mentors, and our position as a top-ranked public university.

First-time applicants are automatically considered for University Merit Award to help cover their Cost of Attendance!

Learn more about our low tuition rates and substantial financial aid opportunities.

Why Apply to UNC Asheville?

Our roots grow deep in strong communities, engaging student life, and the unbound potential of the liberal arts and sciences. Here at UNC Asheville, you never have to ask “What if?” Instead, you ask “What’s next?”

 Start Your Application to UNC Asheville

Pursue your bold ideas in the classroom, the lab, the field, and wherever else you want to take them. Your future starts at UNC Asheville—all you have to do is apply!

Have Questions? Contact the Admission Team! 

Ask questions and get advice from the University of North Carolina Asheville if you need assistance with submitting your application as a first-year student.