Early College High Schools

UNC Charlotte welcomed more than 400 early college high school graduates in last year’s incoming class! We are committed to ensuring you have a smooth transition to the University.

To see if your school has an early college, check the below list.

Early College High School List

Early College Students Application Process

How Do I Apply if I am Completing College Courses while in High School?

Apply to Charlotte as a first-year applicant! First-year application requirements include:

  • Online application
  • Application fee or fee waiver
  • Essay
  • Official high school transcript

Optional: college transcript, SAT or ACT test scores*, recommendation letter(s) and personal statement.

*Fall 2025 applicants: Test optional for students with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or higher at the end of Junior Year.

What to Submit with Your Application

  • Early college high school graduates who have not completed college courses after graduation from high school are considered a first-year applicant for reporting and application purposes.
  • When you apply to Charlotte, please submit your college transcript along with your other application materials.

What We Review/Consider

  • We will consider both your high school academic coursework, essay and optional test scores as well as your college courses and grades.

Transfer Credit

  • First-year applicants receive credit for college courses completed during high school as well as AP and IB exam credits. Your transferable credits will be evaluated and your class standing will be determined at that point.
  • For early college high school students enrolled through a North Carolina community college, we follow the transfer credit policies defined in the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement between the UNC System and the North Carolina Community College System.
  • High school students completing college coursework through any other institution can use the Transfer Credit Advisor tool to identify the credits that will be awarded for successfully completed college coursework.

Cooperative and Innovative High School Students

N.C. legislation outlined below does offer certain application review options to students who graduate from a Cooperative Innovative High School (Early Colleges) who WILL earn an associate degree in addition to their high school diploma. All other early college students will be evaluated using standard first-year student criteria.

  • Applicants from North Carolina Cooperative Innovative High Schools (CIHS) receive special consideration in the admission review for UNC System universities based on North Carolina law.
  • According to House Bill 97 Section 11.16.(a) “any student who graduated from a cooperative innovative high school program with an associate degree and who applies for admission to the constituent institution has the option of being considered for admission as a freshman or as a transfer student.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Why am I being encouraged to apply as a first-year student?

This allows you to remain in consideration for housing, learning communities, honors, scholarships and other special programs reserved for new first-year students.

Should I send an official or unofficial college transcript with my application?

An unofficial transcript can be used when we review your application for your initial admission decision. However, we will need your official college transcript before you enroll to evaluate how your college credit will transfer.

Will my college credits show on my high school transcript?

While your college credits may appear on your high school transcript, it may not include in-progress courses. The university requires us to use your official college transcript to evaluate how your credits will transfer to Charlotte.

When will I receive transfer credit?

Students seeking to earn credit through examination or dual enrollment should request their official scores and transcripts to be sent to our office when available. If you choose to enroll, your credit will be reviewed and awarded to your student account closer to your advising date.

What is my timeline to degree completion?

As a student entering with college credits, your timeline to degree completion may look different than other traditional first-year applicants. During your first year as a Niner, your academic advisor will provide you with a plan and timeline for completing your degree.

MORE INFO

Learn more about high school students earning college credit and check out our FAQs.