Project Uplift and Uplift PLUS

Project Uplift is a special program that enables high-achieving rising seniors to experience college life on Carolina’s campus. Project Uplift seeks to engage participants in an immersive, two-day experience that connects them with UNC-Chapel Hill and other four-year colleges and universities. Participants live on campus, interacting with faculty, staff and current students, participating in educational, cultural and social activities, and learning about admissions and college affordability. Project Uplift allows participants to experience the academic rigor and social climate of a top-ranked four-year institution.

Project Uplift is designed to allow students to experience learning in a variety of different university contexts, from large lectures to small seminars and, most important, from the interactions with current Carolina students.

LIVE

During Project Uplift, participants are housed in one of Carolina’s residence halls. Living on campus not only gives students a taste of Carolina life but also what it’s like living with another student on a college campus. Participants will eat meals in the Carolina dining halls and have an opportunity to explore the various campus recreational activities.

LEARN

The diverse and inclusive community at UNC-Chapel Hill enhances learning by inviting students to analyze issues from multiple perspectives. Living and learning alongside students from across the country allows participants to broaden their own worldviews. Students will engage in conversations on a variety of topics from current events to culture and identity.

Project Uplift participants engage with Carolina’s world-renowned faculty, staff and students. Through various experiential learning opportunities, students will attend academic classes and sessions that explore some of the 70+ majors available at Carolina.

Project Uplift provides opportunities for students to learn about college admissions and affordability. Students will have the ability to speak directly with college representatives from various colleges and universities from across the state, including staff from Carolina’s Office for Undergraduate Admissions.

LEAD

Project Uplift will challenge and encourage participants to become a leader! Our goal is that when students leave, they have a desire to learn more about themselves and will feel empowered to modify or create a new understanding of themselves as successful college students.

Uplift PLUS is an intensive, 5-week summer academic enrichment and college readiness program for Project Uplift participants. This program is only for NC residents. During the program, participants live on campus, attend SAT/ACT coaching sessions and take English 100 (3 credits). Participants also engage in college application prep, research, leadership development, as well as a wide variety of experiential learning opportunities. Students must attend Project Uplift to participate in Uplift PLUS. There is no separate application for Uplift PLUS. Students must indicate on their Project Uplift application whether they would like to be considered for Uplift PLUS.

This residential program, traditionally held on Carolina’s historic campus but being conducted virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic, provides an immersive and engaging experience to prepare the next generation of scholar-leaders. By participating in Uplift PLUS, students will:

• Receive test-taking strategies and resources for the ACT & SAT
• Take the English 100 course and earn three college credits from UNC-Chapel Hill.
• Receive direct instruction from Carolina’s world-renowned faculty and one-on-one mentoring from current Carolina students.
• Participate in research and leadership development while gaining exposure to various schools and units at UNC-Chapel Hill.
• Engage one-on-one with representatives from UNC offices of Admissions and Scholarships & Student Aid.
• Participate in academic, social, cultural and experiential learning activities.

RELATED LINK:

• 50 Years of Project Uplift (Daily Tar Heel)

PROJECT UPLIFT & UPLIFT PLUS

We are looking for rising high school seniors who have shown outstanding academic ability, especially those from backgrounds that are underrepresented in post-secondary education. Project Uplift & Uplift PLUS is designed for students from underrepresented populations, such as American Indian, African American, Hispanic/Latinx and Asian American backgrounds. We also welcome prospective first-generation college students, students from rural communities and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. While these are our target audiences, Project Uplift is open for anyone to attend.

Eligibility:

In order to be eligible to apply to the 2021 Project Uplift & Uplift PLUS programs, applicants must be a current high school junior or a student who will be graduating from high school during or before the summer of 2022 and planning to enroll as a freshman in college in the fall of 2022.

Project Uplift accepts applicants from ALL US states and territories. Uplift PLUS, however, is only for North Carolina residents.

Academic Achievement:

Students should be academically motivated and be enrolled in a curriculum that includes foreign language, advanced mathematics, and honors courses. Uplift PLUS applicants should also take college-level courses such as Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate ® (IB) or Dual Enrollment. Students should show active involvement in extracurricular activities and have demonstrated leadership. In addition to Project Uplift, particularly high-achieving students should consider participating in the Uplift PLUS program if they are a North Carolina resident.

Selection Criteria:

Uplift PLUS reviews all applications holistically. Our staff understands that students come from a wide variety of backgrounds and with different educational and extracurricular opportunities. As a result, the essays are the most important parts of the application.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is committed to the equality of educational opportunity. The University does not discriminate in offering access to its educational programs and activities on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status. The Equal Opportunity and Compliance Office (137 E. Franklin Street, Suite 404, CB #9160, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-9160 or 919-966-3576) has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the University’s non-discrimination policies. 

2021 PROJECT UPLIFT

Project Uplift offers four sessions. All sessions share a single application, but once accepted, participants will have the opportunity to register for their preferred session. Students may only attend one session. The 2021 program will be held virtually and session dates are below:

• Session 1: June 7-8
• Session 2: June 9-10
• Session 3: June 14-15
• Session 4: June 16-17

2021 UPLIFT PLUS

• June 27 – July 29

APPLICATION:

The application for both programs will open in mid-January 2021. 

FOR PROJECT UPLIFT COUNSELORS:

Interviews will be held from February 22-26, 2021.

CONNECT WITH PROJECT UPLIFT & UPLIFT PLUS

Join the D&I Summer Enrichment Mailing List, browse answers to commonly asked questions in the FAQ section or contact us with any additional questions.

BY EMAIL

For general questions: project_uplift@unc.edu

BY PHONE OR FAX

PHONE: (919) 843-6086

FAX: (919) 843-5564

As we are a small staff serving thousands of applicants, we are not always able to respond to your phone calls and can more effectively support students, parents and educators via email. Please visit the FAQ section for the answers to many questions, email us with additional questions.

BY MAIL

Project Uplift
University Office for Diversity & Inclusion
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
SASB North, Suite 3226 | CB# 9128
440 Ridge Road, Chapel Hill, NC 25799-9128

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