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Meet a new Tar Heel

Welcome to Carolina

The Tar Heel community is about to get a little bigger. Thousands of first-year, transfer and graduate students will move to Chapel Hill and start classes in the next week.

We're so glad they are joining us. We are eager to see what they achieve during their Carolina career.

*Preliminary numbers as of Aug. 10, 2023

  • 4,718first-year students
  • 907transfer students
  • 2,400+graduate students
  • 93North Carolina counties represented by incoming undergraduates
  • 100countries represented by incoming undergraduates
  • 19%of incoming students are first-generation college students

You have to go well beyond numbers to understand what makes our incoming students special.

From ballroom dancers to aspiring cancer researchers, mental health professionals, tech entrepreneurs and environmentalists, each new Tar Heel brings to Chapel Hill their own unique experiences, talents and passions to bolster our community and impact the world.

Keep scrolling to meet some of our newest students.

Pull up a seat with a new Tar Heel

This fall, we will welcome 5,625 new undergraduates to Carolina. They come from 93 North Carolina counties and represent 100 countries. Four in-state students shared what they hope to accomplish at Carolina when they pulled up a chair with University photographer Johnny Andrews.

Check out what they had to say

 

Four-photo collage of portraits of students sitting in a blue chair: one is of a woman in downtown Charlotte; one is of a woman on rural tribal land; one is of a woman in a creek; one is of a man on a dirt road on a farm.

Previewing life at Carolina

In a matter of days, a new group of Tar Heels will head to Chapel Hill, ready to start college at Carolina. Throughout the summer, the incoming Class of 2027 received a sneak peek of what’s to come by participating in orientation sessions that included learning how to register for classes, singing “Hark the Sound” and exploring campus.

In between getting their One Cards, making new friends and learning about opportunities at Carolina, some of the newest Tar Heels spoke with us about their excitement for what’s ahead.

See what some members of the Class of 2027 are most looking forward to in Chapel Hill 

A collage featuring 10 selfies taken by incoming first-year students while on the campus of UNC-Chapel Hill for summer orientation.

Starting a new semester

  • A student posing for a photo with UNC-Chapel Hill's ram mascot, Rameses.

    Kick off the semester at FallFest

    Join the Carolina Union on Aug. 20 from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m for the 28th annual FallFest. The beloved Carolina tradition features fun, food, lots of giveaways and much more.

  • A crowd of students standing in an arena.

    Convocation to be held on Sunday at the Smith Center

    New Student Convocation is the official kickoff of a Tar Heel's academic career that inducts new first-years into the Class of 2027 and new transfers into their respective classes. See student performances and hear from University leadership, including the chancellor and student body president.

  • A group of first-year UNC-Chapel Hill students playing cards at a table with Chancellor Kevin M. Guskiewicz

    Weeks of Welcome

    The year gets off to an exciting start with two weeks of programs, events and special opportunities to welcome all new Tar Heels. Learn about your new home and get connected with your new classmates.

  • Rameses in the Pit

    Tar Heel traditions

    The nation's first public university, UNC-Chapel Hill is home to centuries-old traditions and experiences that connect generations of Tar Heels. Watch the Bell Tower lighting the night before the first day of class, go for a stroll on Franklin Street and cheer on the Tar Heels in Kenan Stadium.

  • A student sitting on the lawn of Polk Place using a laptop.

    Tar Heel technology checklist

    As you get settled in on campus and prepare for the semester, save yourself a headache by checking out the key to-dos from Information Technology Services, including safely connecting to the internet, securing your devices and installing the programs you need.

  • A basketball court with the UNC-Chapel Hill athletics logo at halfcourt and reading

    Get active on campus

    Campus Recreation designs and delivers innovative, diverse and inclusive experiences that stimulate well-being, enjoyment and learning for the entire University community. Learn how you can get involved and find an activity that suits you.

Learn more