How to Apply

Application Deadlines:

Deadline for Spring 2024: Oct. 10, 2023
Priority deadline for Fall 2024: Feb 13, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.
Final Deadline: April 9, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.

Applicants will be reviewed on a first come first basis up until the deadline and/or until enrollment capacity is reached; so applicants are encouraged to complete their application early!

Admission requirements

2.5 minimum GPA
Personal Essay
Length: 1.5-2 pages double-spaced.

1. How did you develop an interest in Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) and a career in human services?
2. What educational, professional, volunteer, and personal experiences influenced your desire to work with families, children, youth, couples, and/or adults?
3. What are your career objectives and how will earning a degree in HDFS equip you to achieve these goals?

Resume

GPA Requirement

Students may apply after they’ve established a UNC-Chapel Hill cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher. We take a holistic approach to admissions and recognize that a GPA reflects only one facet of a candidate’s preparation for acceptance into the HDFS program.

Resume

A standard resume is required. Career services can assist you with preparing a resume. Please be sure to include your experiences working with children or adults, either through work, volunteer efforts, and extra-curricular activities, along with the duration of each experience. For extra-curricular activities at UNC-Chapel Hill, describe any special roles you have fulfilled, such as being an officer or heading a committee. Some of this information could be included in your essay.

If you are a current undergraduate student at UNC-Chapel Hill

To apply to the HDFS major, you must first request a major change within ConnectCarolina.

Once you have submitted the request to change your major in ConnectCarolina, you will receive an email from UNC’s application system, Slate, that includes a link to the online application. Please note that it may take 24-72 hours to receive the application email.

All application materials are submitted electronically. No hard copy materials are accepted. By submitting an application to the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Education, consent is granted to university staff to obtain any additional or missing information as needed, including Campus Safety Information.

If you are a transfer student from another university

You may transfer into the HDFS program as a junior transfer student. You may apply in your first semester at the university or through the common application.

How to apply as a transfer student:

Create an account and start your Common Application.
Submit the Common Application, the Common Application supplement, and application fee.
For the School of Education Common Application supplement, upload your response to the following question: “Why are you interested in pursuing the Human Development and Family Studies major?”
Submit official transcripts from all secondary and post-secondary schools to:
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
Jackson Hall, Campus Box 2200
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-2200

After you submit your application, you will receive instructions for creating your MyCarolina account, which will allow you to view the status of your application, including your admission decision. Be sure to check your MyCarolina account frequently for important application updates.

Transfer student application deadlines:

You must complete all application steps by Feb. 15, 2023. You will be notified of an admissions decision by mid-April.

Review Process

Admissions decisions are made by the HDFS faculty on the basis of review of each applicant’s particular profile of strengths in relation to the program’s concentrations and capacity. Admitted students have different profiles. Some, for example, have extremely high grade point averages, whereas others have unusually strong service and professional interests related to HDFS, or strong potential for serving the unique needs of individuals, families and communities.

Upon Admission

Students who are accepted, must accept their offer of admission in ConnectCarolina in order to officially declare the HDFS major. Students have until August of the admission year to accept their offer of admissions. We encourage students to accept or deny admissions with 14 days of notification. Early acceptance allows you to enroll in courses that are reserved for HDFS majors only.

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