UNC

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine Chapel Hill, NC · Public · MD

Average MCAT: 514
Average GPA: 3.79
Class size: 230 (7,000 applicants)
Tuition: $63,419 (per year, nonresident)
Out-of-state applicants: Limited

Deadlines

AMCAS deadline: Oct. 1, 2026
Secondary deadline: Given in the supplemental invitation email

Essays

Essay 1 (250 words)

Describe an experience where you attempted a task and realized during the process that you were not ready for it. How did this experience impact your approach to trying new things?

Essay 2 (250 words)

How will your life experiences foster a positive educational environment and benefit your future patients?

Essay 3 (250 words)

Discuss your involvement in a service activity that has impacted your understanding of healthcare and your desire to pursue a career in medicine.

Essay 4 (250 words)

What motivates you to apply to the UNC School of Medicine?

Editor's notes

Get your AMCAS in early and your letters in by Aug. 31. The supplemental goes out automatically to everyone, offers start Oct. 15 and admissions roll until the class is full. The AMCAS deadline is Oct. 1, and because decisions roll, a file that arrives in the last week is reviewed after many seats are already offered.
If you're not a North Carolina resident, read the numbers carefully. Only about 15% to 18% of each class comes from out of state, and the school's own benchmark for a competitive non-resident is an MCAT of 514 or higher against 500 for residents. Apply if you're above that line and have a real reason to train in North Carolina.
UNC says no updates after submission, including letters of intent. Whatever you want the committee to know has to be in the three supplemental essays or your AMCAS on the day you hit submit.
The school sells itself on service to the state: 47% of the 2025 class went into primary care and 38% stayed in North Carolina. Your service essay should show sustained work with real patients or communities, which is exactly what the ideal-candidate page asks for.

UNC