Applying To College as an Early College Student

The college application process for early college students can look similar to that of traditional high school students! 

Generally, the timing of your high school graduation determines your application type (first-year student), while the total amount of your college credit will determine your class standing (freshman, sophomore, etc.). 

Early college students graduating with an associates degree from a North Carolina Cooperative Innovative High School, are entitled to receive special admissions consideration at NC public universities. House Bill 97 Section 11.16.(a) states that you have the option of being considered for admission as a freshman OR as a transfer student. 

Each public NC school has information about how Early College applicants are handled in their admissions process. See below for their individual links:

• Appalachian State: https://admissions.appstate.edu/earlycollege

• East Carolina University: https://admissions.ecu.edu/apply/freshmen/

• Elizabeth City State University: https://www.ecsu.edu/admissions/prospective-students.php

• Fayetteville State University: https://www.uncfsu.edu/admission-and-aid/undergraduate-admissions/early-college

• North Carolina A&T: https://www.ncat.edu/admissions/undergraduate/freshman/nc-cooperative-innovative-high-school-students.php

• NC Central University: https://www.nccu.edu/admissions/early-college-students

• NC State: https://admissions.ncsu.edu/apply/early-college/

• UNC Asheville: https://www.unca.edu/admission/apply/other-students/ 

• UNC Chapel Hill: https://admissions.unc.edu/apply/types-of-applications/early-college-cihs/ 

• UNC Charlotte: https://admissions.charlotte.edu/apply/early-college

• UNC Greensboro: https://admissions.uncg.edu/admissions/first-year-admissions/early-college-credits/

• UNC Pembroke: https://www.uncp.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/freshman

• UNC Wilmington: https://uncw.edu/admissions/undergraduate/apply/

• Winston Salem State University: https://www.wssu.edu/admissions/apply/early-college.html

• Western Carolina University: https://www.wcu.edu/apply/undergraduate-admissions/first-year-students/early-college

More important information:

• Here is is a great resource to see how  each school will accept transfer credits: https://www.northcarolina.edu/future-students/transfer-students/nc-community-college-transfer/

• Most private and out-of-state universities adhere to the same rule: if you don't take college credit after graduating with your high school diploma, you will still apply as a first-year applicant. It is the responsibility of the student to research each colleges admissions policies. Mrs. DeAntonio can help you with this as well!

• There are some 4 year colleges with guaranteed admissions relationships with CPCC. Some of these are open to Early College students and some are not - please see this document for more information:  Guaranteed Admissions and CCP/MC/EC Students