If you’re here, we’re guessing you’ve just been rejected EA from UNC and are feeling unsure of what to do next. Right now, you’re probably reeling and looking for a way to keep yourself busy. Let’s take a moment to acknowledge that UNC Chapel Hill is a highly competitive school, especially for out-of-state applicants. The overall acceptance rate is around 20%, with out-of-state acceptance at 8%. The EA acceptance rate (and we don’t know the in vs out-of-state breakdown here) lasy cycle was 23%. This puts UNC in the “far reach” category for most out-of-state students, and we’re telling you this because sometimes numbers like this make us feel better. Not getting in doesn’t mean you won’t find your place at another amazing school. With decades of experience (both in college stuff and general life stuff), we can confidently say: you will go to college, and you will be successful!
We know that getting rejected is tough, and you’re likely feeling pretty down—maybe even a bit panicky. Before you make any hasty decisions, read through this post!! We’re going to go into detail the steps you can take to regain a sense of control and keep moving forward in the application process.
Step One: pause
You need to take a break. Yes, we are suggesting you do nothing for a a short period of time. UNC is known for its work-hard, play-hard vibe (similar to its neighbor, Duke), and if you were drawn to that, you’re likely someone who’s been pushing and playing hard for years. We know it feels like your five and ten (and maybe even 15!) year plans have been thrown into a fire pit, but trust us, this isn’t the end. Chances are, you’re deeply involved in clubs, sports, or other time-intensive activities like theater or debate, on top of everything else high school throws at you. So, with this news, give yourself a few days to process, feel whatever you need to feel, and let your mind rest. You’ll have tasks to tackle soon, and we want you in the best possible shape to handle them.
Take a few and come back to this post.
Step Two: Strategize
The first major task is reviewing your college list. If you’re one of our clients or a longtime reader who’s followed our advice, you’re probably in a good spot. A well-rounded list of 8-12 schools—balanced across reaches, targets, and safeties—means you won’t need to make major changes. You might decide to swap out one or two schools, but you don’t need to start from scratch. We repeat: just because you were rejected from UNC doesn’t mean it’s time to overhaul your list! Trust the balanced list you’ve built. Toward the end of this section, we’ll cover ED2 options, so feel free to skip ahead if that applies to you.
For those of you who placed all your hopes on UNC or have only a few schools on your list, you’ve got a bit more work ahead. If UNC was your main focus, or if you only have a handful of other schools lined up, it’s time to build out your college list. Aim for 8 to 12 schools, a balanced mix of reaches, targets, and safeties. To figure out where each school falls for you, take a look at their middle 50% data, see where your stats fit, and consider their acceptance rates. Keep in mind, schools with very low acceptance rates (under 10%) will always be reaches, no matter how impressive your achievements.
As you build your new college list, you will first narrow down your options by academics. This is school, after all, so you can’t just go off of vibes. After you’ve determined schools with academic programs you care about, think about what you liked about UNC. Were you drawn to the big school classic college vibes? A specific academic program? Then use that as your guide. Next, consider factors like size, location, culture, and even weather. Just remember that not every school will meet all your preferences, so focus on identifying any true dealbreakers and stay open to schools you might not have originally considered. We see a lot of UNC-minded students who like schools like Duke, UT Austin, Michigan, and Wake Forest (a good ED2 option!), and with that…
…let’s circle back to ED2. We highly recommend applying ED2. It’s a binding decision that shows schools you’re genuinely committed. Just like early decision, ED2 can give your application a boost, and odds are one of your other top-choice schools offers this option. Most schools fill most of their incoming class with students who applied ED, EA, or ED2, so take advantage of this where you can.
Step Three: Essays
If you’re starting fresh with a new college list or didn’t work on your regular decision applications after submitting your early Dartmouth application, you’ll likely have several supplemental essays to write. We have plenty of guides on our website to help you tackle school-specific supplements. However, let’s start with the most crucial essay: the Common App essay.
Here’s the honest truth: you’ll very likely need to rewrite or seriously rework your Common App essay. We know this might feel overwhelming, but after working with many students during the two-week crunch between ED/EA rejections and regular decision deadlines, we know this is a necessary step for 99.9% of you. Many students write essays that, while well-written, unfortunately, fall into waaaaaay too common themes—like reflections on a grandparent, overcoming hardship, or a big achievement. These topics are incredibly overplayed, and you need to do better to stand out. College admissions are incredibly competitive, and you need to take advantage of every opportunity to stand out.
The Common App essay is, first and foremost, a brainstorming exercise. We specialize in helping students create unique, compelling essays that capture the attention of admissions officers at top colleges. What we (and admissions teams) look for are small, personal stories that reveal who you are. It might seem counterintuitive, but one of the main goals of this essay is simply to be likable! You don’t need to use this space to brag or seek sympathy—those things can and should be put in your activities section or additional information. Instead, focus on traits and values that haven’t been quantified in your Common App. Your grades and scores already show you’re hardworking and dedicated, use the essay to showcase a different side of yourself, like your sense of humor, a quirky hobby, or your close-knit family. If you’re stuck, ask friends or family for five words they’d use to describe you. You’ll definitely see some overlap, which might help inspire a memory.
As you begin writing your Common App essay, focus on telling a story. Strong stories have clear beginnings, middles, and ends. They’re rich in descriptive details, using the five senses to immerse readers and make them feel as if they’re right there with you in the moment. Draw the reader into your story and we know you’ll leave a good impression.
Step Four: Ask for Help
If the workload ahead feels overwhelming, don’t hesitate to reach out to us—ASAP. Every year, we support countless students through this critical two-week window between rejections and regular decision deadlines. Our “It’s Going to Be Okay” package is here to guide you through this intense period, whether that means rewriting your Common App essay or tackling supplements for ten schools. We’ve got you.
Rejected and don’t know what to do? Reach out to us ASAP.