The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill received 31,940 Early Action applications to its Class of 2025. The figure marks a 10% jump from last year’s Early Action application tally. The rise in Early applications to UNC should not come as a surprise. Yesterday, we posted about the 15% rise in Early Action applications and 35% rise in Early Decision applications to the University of Virginia, another top public university in America. And in spite of articles that suggest applications are down at American universities to the Class of 2025, our sources indicate applications are actually up at our nation’s top universities. Remember, the vast majority of America’s hundreds of universities not only aren’t highly selective but aren’t particularly selective at all. America’s highly selective universities number only around 25. UNC and UVA are, of course, highly selective.

As UNC’s admissions office writes of its increased Early Action applications this fall, “‘We’re humbled that so many outstanding students are considering Carolina. We’re also grateful that they have taken the time to apply under these extraordinary circumstances. We know the pandemic has impacted everyone’s life in one way or another,’ said Steve Farmer, vice provost for enrollment and undergraduate admissions. ‘Now we have the privilege of getting to know each and every one of these students as we read their applications and learn more about their interests, talents and achievements,’ said Farmer. ‘These students bring with them wisdom and experience; they have a lot to offer the communities they will join, and a lot to offer one another.'”

We’ll be updating our readers as Early Action / Early Decision application tallies come in at our nation’s elite universities. So do stay tuned!