A guide for international students
AMONG THE
TOP 5 IN US
by US News & World Report’s 2016
Congratulations! We’re honored that you chose to apply to Carolina, and we hope you’ll join our Tar Heel community. At Carolina you will find the world at your fingertips — with the advantages of a top-tier global research university, and the personal connections of a close, interdisciplinary student body and faculty. We are confident that UNC will quickly become your home away from home. We also know that, as an international student, you’re bringing something very special to our University — a unique opportunity for us to learn from you. Your voice, your perspective, is one that we need and want on our campus and in our classrooms. We have an open door and are happy to assist you in your orientation to Carolina. This brochure will provide you with an overview of life on campus and the next steps for your enrollment. Welcome to UNC!
3
rd
BEST COLLEGE TOWN IN US
by Forbes magazine 2015
0
71 F RTP average high in Chapel HIll
one of the most prominent high-tech research parks in the U.S. — home to over 200 companies
M NC
Enjoy exceptional experiences at Carolina Performing Arts and Durham Performing Arts Center
Traveling to NC by plane? The nearest airport is Raleigh/Durham Airport located 20 minutes from Chapel Hill.
Explore UNC’s hometown of Chapel Hill and . . . •
•
•
Catch a show at Cat’s Cradle, a live-music venue featuring acts from the local to the legendary. Or enjoy dance, theater, symphony, or jazz ensemble performances by world renowned artists at Carolina Performing Arts Savor the flavors of Franklin Street and beyond, with 95+ restaurants ranging from Asian fusion cuisine (by a James Beard award-winning chef) to late-night fried chicken Bike, hike, walk or run through the town’s 7 major greenways and 15 parks
See • Ackland Art Museum • Planetarium and Science Center • The Carolina Basketball Museum • The NC Botanical Graden • Horace Williams House
Do • Kenan Memorial Theatre • Carmichael Arena • Dean E. Smith Center • Really Free Market
Want to see more of North Carolina? Drive 3 hours west for the Blue Ridge Mountains and 2 hours east for the NC coast.
“The positive, friendly atmosphere at Carolina has been very welcoming; a great relief having come from so far away. There is a passion for learning and for knowledge here that invites you to join in and to explore the vast amounts of curricular and extra-curricular resources Carolina has to offer.” — Naintara Viswanath India
• Carrboro Community Garden • Varsity Theater
Shop • Schoolkids Records • Johnny T-Shirt (UNC gear) • Carrboro Farmer’s Market • Chapel Hill Comics • Rumours Boutique (vintage)
Prepare for life in U.S. Housing
Roommates
HOUSING
At Carolina there are 32 residence halls and two apartment communities, housing anywhere from 60-900 students each. Typically, students share a room with one other student and have a communal bathroom. An average room is 15 x 12 ft. (4.5 x 3.6m) and comes furnished with a twin bed, desk and chair, window coverings, dresser, and a closet or wardrobe. The Residence Hall Association offers linen packages (towels and sheets) that you can purchase and have shipped to campus before you arrive. Please visit rha.unc.edu for more information.
You will be able to use the MyHousing portal —myhousing.unc.edu— to search for and communicate with potential roommates. If you choose not to designate a roommate, we will randomly assign you one. On the housing application, you will have the opportunity to indicate whether you wish to live with an international student or a non-international student. As an international student, you will receive support from your Resident Advisor who has received additional training to work with you.
Academic breaks
Most residence halls close over Winter Break but all remain open over Fall, Thanksgiving and Spring breaks. Only Ram Village apartments and Craige Hall will remain open over the Winter break. If you anticipate needing local accommodations over the Winter break, we encourage you to preference Ram Village or Craige on your housing application. If these are full, we can still accommodate you in temporary housing accommodations. Break housing information is available at housing.unc.edu/current-residents/break-housing.
HOUSING
Transportation You can get around Chapel Hill quite easily without a car. The campus is very walkable, and the Chapel Hill Transit bus system is free. To get to the airport, you can use the regional bus system (triangletransit.org) or the ride-sharing website for Carolina students (zimride.unc.edu). Many student organizations also offer free airport shuttle service around academic breaks.
Cooking
Each residence hall has at least one community kitchen for students to prepare meals. You can check out cooking equipment from your hall’s community office at no charge. Many students have mini-refrigerators in their rooms, which you can lease through the Residence Hall Association’s Move-In Marketplace (rha.unc.edu). In June, you’ll get a brochure with more details about where and what to eat on campus. In the meantime, you’re welcome to visit dining.unc.edu to see what options could work best for you.
Laundry OneCard-operated laundries are located in every residential community. In communities with multiple buildings such as Lower Quad and Upper Quad, your laundry room may be in a neighboring building.
housing.unc.edu/919.962.5401
Enjoy living on campus
There’s always something going on. And because all first-year students live on campus, you’ll only be a few steps away from the Pit, Davis Library, the Student Recreation Center, Lenoir Dining Hall, and more.
Go blue and green
You can make your mark on the world and reduce your carbon footprint while living on campus. Compete in the annual Residential Green Games where you and your neighbors can lead the way in recycling, composting, and promoting the environment within your community. Or join the Sustainability Residential Learning Program to live with other students interested in discussing a wide range of sustainability issues and implementing change.
thrive
@ CARO L I NA
As you transition from secondary school to university, we want you to know that we’re ready to help you thrive. Here is a sample of the kind of services offered daily on our campus.
• Student Wellness Center – Resources on stress management, substance abuse prevention, and other topics • Campus Health – Medical care (preventative and treatment), mental health counseling, and other specialty services • Academic Advising – Guidance on possible areas of study and how to meet graduation requirements
Orientation • First-Year Student Orientation: First-year students are required to attend a two-day New Student Orientation program. There are sessions in June and July, and a session August for international students and students who are unable to attend an earlier session. Please visit orientation.unc.edu for registration information and orientation dates. In addition, International Student andScholar Services (ISSS) will facilitate an International Student Orientation regarding your immigration status and other cross-cultural adjustment matters. The date, time, and location will be posted on the ISSS website: http://isss.unc.edu/newstudent/step10/. • Transfer Student Orientation: All new transfer students are required to attend a one-day Transfer Orientation program. Please visit orientation.unc.edu for registration information. ISSS will coordinate a required International Transfer Student Check In and International Transfer Student Orientation Session in August. Please keep an eye out for updates on the ISSS website for more details.
70+ majors and minors
13:1
student-faculty ratio
18,000
undergraduates
“UNC is built upon the sense of community that comes with being a Tar Heel. Carolina allowed me to grow in so many ways because of the eclectic kinds of people I’ve had the opportunity to meet. This place has a small town feel with a global perspective and each new idea or culture that you come across only makes Carolina feel more like home.” — Angel Lopez Puerto Rico
STUDY ABROAD Want to enhance your education with a global experience? Whether you want to research a specific culture or issue, intern with an international organization, or just polish your language skills, at UNC you’ll have your choice of 300+ study abroad programs in over 70 countries.
"I had all these ideas about how much I'd miss my family and friends back home, and some days I do, but most days, I don't even think about it because I'm enjoying myself so much here at UNC." — Sibusisiwe Dlangalala
ACADEMICS
South Africa
Transfer Credit from Non-U.S. Institutions If you have taken courses at a post-secondary institution and/or university outside the U.S., we ask that you have your transcripts evaluated by an accredited evaluation service. If you have taken courses at a post-secondary institution and/ or university outside the U.S., we require that you have your transcripts evaluated by World Education Services (www.wes.org). Once you’ve had your transcripts evaluated, please send an original copy of your transcript and have WES send the course-by-course evaluation of your transcript to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions
Test Credit We award placement and course credit for many AP, IB, and A-Level scores. To have this credit awarded, please have an official score report sent to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions directly from the exam agency.
admissions.unc.edu
RESEARCH & INTERNSHIPS Whether connected through your professors or other campus resources, you’ll have numerous ways to extend your learning outside the classroom. Some examples include studying gene mutations at UNC’s Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, tracing the roots of a hip-hop group made famous on the internet, and interning for a costume designer of a Broadway production. “Being selected for the Schwarzman means that I am one step closer to my goal of serving as the conjunction between the academia and the practical world. After researching both educational inequality and urban renewal projects in China from an anthropological perspective, I’m interested to see how I can develop a better understanding of these issues through the study of public policy.” — Chan Zhao China
Eugene’s story. What’s yours? A varsity swimmer at UNC, Eugene is turning his passion into a profession. During Eugene’s four years, he hasn’t simply sat in anatomy classes to prepare to apply to physical therapy programs, but has also had incredible research opportunities, including studying the impact of TV on athletes, collecting data on the men’s football and basketball teams, and logging more than 50 hours shadowing physical therapists in the intensive care unit at UNC Hospitals. Aside from the academic and athletic opportunities available, he says he’s most thankful he chose UNC for the overwhelmingly welcoming campus and community he found in Chapel Hill. “I had the opportunity to attend several top tier colleges but chose UNC because it was the only place away from home I felt I could call home.” — Eugene Tee Australia
Sophie’s story. What’s yours? Sophie found that UNC was the perfect place to study in the U.S. to get both the resources of a major research university as well as the hospitality of the friendly Tar Heel community. Her first year she lived in the UNITAS Living and Learning Community, in which she was able to take a special year-long anthropology class, have a unique community service experience volunteering in a local high school, and live in a dorm with other students also interested in social justice and diversity. From classes to her Frisbee team, Sophie says she is humbled to find that her UNC family is always cheering her on. “Studying and living in Chapel Hill is a combination of urban fast-paced schedules and relaxed country weekends. I feel that the balance between country and city is just right to experience two different facets of America.” — Sophie Niu China
Pictured, left to right: Taylor, Nyatefe Mortoo (UNC ‘19, Morrisville, NC) Alexander Bryan, (UNC ‘17, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, ), Dhru Patel (UNC ‘19, Morrisville, NC), Stephen Farmer (UNC), Mary Ryan (Ameritrade).
SERVICE
Create a better world During your time at Carolina and after, you’ll have many opportunities to use your knowledge to make a difference. Picture yourself.... • • •
Creating a start-up that sources and donates surplus science equipment for schools Developing a portable test for safe drinking water in disaster-stricken areas Giving back in the classroom. From creating video games for the visually impaired in a Computer Science class to developing social media campaigns for a local election in a Media and Journalism course, your professors will frequently combine service with learning
Have an idea for a social venture or looking for a global service opportunity? Get connected through the Campus Y or the Carolina Center for Public Service, two resources that provide funding, mentorship, and opportunities to develop your leadership skills.
Team up with your friends and maybe you’ll be the next winner of Ameritrade’s thinkorswim challenge like the four members of Pi Lambda Phi pictured here. In just 4 weeks, they turned $500,000 into nearly $1.32 million virtual dollars, earning UNC $30,000 in scholarships and landing the team an appearance on CNBC’s Fast Money. “Our team had a diverse collection of interests and skill sets, which worked well for us. It was an intense and exhilarating learning experience and those of us who are here next year absolutely plan to do it again.” — Grahme Taylor Bethesda, MD
COMMUNITY
Nothing brings people together like a shared love of giving back or Carolina athletics. Picture 2,000 students dancing off to raise money for UNC Children’s Hospital. Or the student section in the Dean Dome, home to Carolina basketball.
800+ Professional societies, Greek life organizations, service groups, and more
28 varsity sports with COUNTLESS FANS WORLDWIDE
If this doesn’t sound like you, that’s ok. Join any of the 800+ student organizations, which include the Ukulele Ensemble, Fun Tabletop Gaming Network, and 47 faith-based organizations. If you’re interested in advocating for diversity, consider getting involved through the LGBTQ Center, Black Student Movement (BSM), Asian Students Association, or Carolina Hispanic Association (CHISPA), to name a few. After all, there’s more than one way to be a Tar Heel.
Meet inspiring classmates “Since I’ve been at Carolina, I’ve met students from all over the world, students who play on professional sports teams and nationally ranked bands, and even a student who runs several multi-million dollar companies. My classmates have shown me that we all have unique talents and backgrounds and that ANYTHING is possible, especially at Carolina.” — Kara Patrovic
34% of Fall 2016 entering class identify as students of color
Miller Place, NY
+ 100 countries represented in our student body
financial certificate
There are about 500 international undergraduates studying at Carolina. They come from all over the world and contribute an incredible diversity of perspective and ideas to our community.
The Financial Certificate All international students should complete Part I of the Financial Certificate (Personal Information) and submit a copy of the passport biographical information and expiration page(s). Part II of the Financial Certificate (Sources of Support) is only required for those students who are requesting immigration documents from International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS), i.e. Certificate of Eligibility Form I-20 or Form DS-2019, which you will need to apply for an F-1 or J-1 student visa. Students transferring their F-1 or J-1 status from another U.S. school will require a new Form I-20 or DS-2019 from UNC-Chapel Hill and, therefore must also complete Part II: Sources of Support. In order for us to issue your documents as quickly as possible, please upload your completed financial certificate, supporting financial documents, and a copy of your passport to your ConnectCarolina Student Center no later than June 1, 2017. Have a question? Direct any questions, from immigration status to acceptable sources of funding, to the general ISSS email isss@unc.edu. Please also refer to the ISSS website at: isss.unc.edu/newstudent/
Resources for international students International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) serves all international students, research scholars and visiting professors at Carolina. ISSS assists international students and scholars in obtaining and maintaining valid immigration status in the United States and provides programs and services to help international students adjust to life in the United States. isss.unc.edu // isss@unc.edu Phone: (919) 962-5661 / Fax: (919) 962-4282
The FedEx Global Education Center Centers, institutes, and offices housed in the building work pan-university to support the globalization of the campus. http://global.unc.edu/about/fedex-global-education-center/
Other important resources Office of Undergraduate Admissions admissions.unc.edu / unchelp@admissions.unc.edu (919) 966-3621 Housing and Residential Education housing.unc.edu / housing@unc.edu (919) 962-5401 Academic Advising advising.unc.edu (919) 966-5116 Office of Student Life & Leadership carolinaunion.unc.edu / carolinaunion@unc.edu (919) 962-1157
ENROLL
admissions.unc.edu/enroll
Office of Undergraduate Admissions University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Campus Box 2200, Jackson Hall Chapel Hill, NC 27599-2200 Phone: (919) 966-3621 Fax: (919) 962-3045 unchelp@admissions.unc.edu
CONNECT
facebook.com/uncadmissions twitter.com/uncadmissions instagram.com/uncadmissions @uncadmissions
admissions.unc.edu