University of North Carolina first opened its doors to students in 1795 as the nation’s first public university. It was also the only public university to award degrees to students throughout the 18th century, following in the steps of the private universities that dotted the land. Among its many accolades, UNC is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities. For the 15th consecutive year it has been ranked first among the 100 best U.S. public colleges and universities that offer students high-quality academics at an affordable price according to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine. It is 15th on the list of the world’s “Top 100 Most Innovative Universities” according to Reuters 2015 survey, and it ranked 7th overall in best undergraduate business programs in Bloomberg Businessweek’s 2016 rankings.

The mission at UNC is to serve as a center for research, scholarship, and creativity. It also aims to teach a diverse community of undergraduate, graduate, and professional students to become the next generation of leaders. With a student to teacher ratio of 13:1, 87 percent of the classes have less than 50 students. The intimate class sizes, a focus on diversity and equality, and innovative teaching makes UNC at Chapel Hill an excellent choice for pursuing a Bachelor in Computer Science degree through the Department of Computer Science.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Accreditation Details

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate, master’s, doctoral, and professional degrees and certificates. Accreditation is granted to institutes of higher education that meet the strict qualifications of a third party organization, which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council of Higher Education Accreditation. This ensures that the higher education facility offers all necessary resources to provide a legitimate education that adheres to the guidelines set forth by the accrediting agency, which benefits both students and potential future employers of graduates.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Application Requirements

As a highly competitive school, UNC prides itself on not having a specific formula for determining who it admits. Every application is thoroughly reviewed cover to cover and no one is automatically approved or denied based on any one particular reason. The ultimate goal is to have a widely diverse student body that enhances the team mentality of the student body. There are two application deadlines for first-year applicants and one for transfer students. Applications for all interested students must be submitted through the Common Application tool located on the school website. Application requirements include:

● Completed application using the Common Application tool
● $80 application fee or fee waiver
● One essay (as determined by Common Application)
● Two short answers (UNC specific)
● Secondary school/high school transcripts
● One counselor or school official recommendation
● One teacher recommendation
● SAT or ACT scores
● TOEFL, IELTS, or the Pearson Test of English (PTE) for international students

ACT or SAT scores are considered a part of your whole application, and there is no minimum score that must be obtained. UNC recognizes that test scores are not always indicative of the broad range of talents prospective students possess. With no ESL classes available, international students whose first language is not English are required to take an English proficiency test, such as the TOEFL, to ensure they are prepared for the high-level, demanding education taught at UNC.

While there are no required high school classes to include on your application, students interested in the Computer Science program are encouraged to take a class load that is heavily geared toward math and science. Students interested in being ahead of the curve may even take a rigorous introductory programming course such as Java or C++ to possibly skip the first programming course offered at UNC, COMP 110.

Tuition and Financial Aid

UNC has been called a “public ivy” as it is touted as delivering a private, ivy league education in a public institution with affordable prices. The estimated cost for attending UNC at Chapel Hill is $24,898 for NC residents and $51,466 for out-of-state tuition. This costs includes, tuition, room and board, books, travel, health insurance, loan fees, and personal spending allowance. These tuition fees are among the lowest in the nation. Through the Carolina Covenant, UNC also promises a debt-free education to eligible students whose family income falls at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.

There are other financial aid options available as well. The most beneficial forms of financial aid are awarded to students who submit their completed documents by the appropriate deadlines as posted on the school website. The required forms to be submitted for financial aid include the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the CSS Profile. FAFSA collects information about your family’s financial status to determine eligibility. The CSS profile includes many of the same questions as FAFSA but the extra information it acquires helps to determine eligibility for additional institutionally based funds.

Excellence Prevails at the Department of Computer Science

The Department of Computer Science at UNC at Chapel Hill was one of the first independent computer science departments in the United States. Founded in 1964 by Dr. Frederick P. Brooks Jr., students contribute to nearly every facet of the department’s operation. The department adheres to Dr. Brooks philosophy that students are seen as colleagues to faculty members creating an atmosphere of cooperation. They are afforded the opportunity to not only research, but also to teach, attend research groups, and to serve on committees that affect all aspects of life in the department.

The UNC faculty are committed to providing a learning experience of excellence and innovation. In 2014, UNC ranked #31 in the Academic Ranking of World Universities in Computer Science according to academic or research performance. With the impressive opportunities that it affords, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill provides students a top notch education that propels them into a successful, lifelong career.

Related resource:

Top 10 Best Online Schools for Computer Science Degrees