campus tours unc charlotte

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UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens welcomes groups of up to 60 people for staff-guided visits Mondays – Fridays and up to 30 for self-guided visits 365 days a year.  Any group of 8 or more must register in advance of their visit.  For such groups we offer four different options: 

Self-guided Tours

Staff-guided Kids’ Tours

Staff-guided Garden Highlights Tours

Special Request Tours/Events

A tour group is defined as a group of visitors to the gardens consisting of between 7 and 60 people.  Groups greater than 60 people are not eligible for either a guided nor self-guided group tour.  Groups greater than 30 people are not eligible for self-guided tours.  This group size maximum is set in order to assure a safe and quality experience for our guests, and to protect our collections from extensive foot traffic.  Organizations wanting to tour with more than 60 people may contact April to discuss alternative options.

Self-guided Tours are a good choice for a group which would like to experience the garden at their own pace, particularly if the group intends to take photographs of the plants along their tour.  Self-guided tours can last as long as the group desires and the facilities are open.  A brochure highlighting the season and/or special areas of the gardens will be provided to the tour participants upon arrival at the McMillan Greenhouse.  Registration is required.

Registration for Self-Guided Tours must be completed with a minimum of 48 hours’ notice by completing the Self-Guided Tour Registration Form (see “Register Here” link to the right).

Self-guided tour groups may register to visit any date(s) and time(s) the greenhouses and/or gardens are open.

Staff-Guided Tours

Staff-guided Garden Highlights Tours are also great for those visitors who want an informational overview of the gardens, such as tourists, and senior groups.  These groups will be provided with a highlights tour led by experienced visitor services staff and/or volunteers.  Tours with a historical emphasis may be requested.  Tours will include the outdoor gardens and greenhouse, as desired by the group and weather permitting.  These tours last about 60-90 minutes.  Registration is required.

Guided tours require registration and are offered at a flat rate of $100 for up to 15 people, $175 for up to 30 people, $250 for up to 45 people, $325 for up to 60 people.  Parking is included in the fee for registered groups arriving by bus or passenger van.  

Registration for Guided Tours must be initiated by completing the online “Group Tour Request Form” through the gardens.charlotte.edu website a minimum of two weeks (10 business days) in advance of the proposed tour.  Not all tour requests will result in a confirmed registration.  Tour requests will receive a response by tour staff within 3 business days of their submission.  This response will include an approval or denial of the request.  Responses to approved requests will include further instructions for registration and payment, both of which are required at least 5 business days prior to the date of the scheduled tour.

Groups of visitors from assisted living and senior care facilities must be accompanied by staff from the facility at the ratio of a minimum of 1 staff person to 10 visitors, whether the tour is guided or self-guided.  Visitors needing special assistance must be accompanied by additional staff from their facilities according to law.  

Note: If your group is larger than 30 for a self-tour, we recommend programs at  Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden  in Belmont or the many Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation Nature Centers and Preserves.

Children’s Tours

Staff-guided Kids’ Tours are a good choice for student groups.  For school and homeschool groups, experienced visitor services staff and/or volunteers will lead tours appropriate to NC state content standards for the grade level(s) of participants.  School tours are typically 60-90 minutes, depending on student age.  Registration is required.

Groups of children under the age of 18 must be supervised by their own adult chaperones at the ratio of a minimum of 1 adult to 10 children, whether the tour is guided or self-guided.   Children needing special assistance must be accompanied by additional staff from their schools according to their IEP.  

Registration for Guided Tours must be initiated by completing the online Group Tour Request Form (see “Register Here” below) through the gardens.charlotte.edu website a minimum of two weeks (10 business days) in advance of the proposed tour.  Not all tour requests will result in a confirmed registration.  Tour requests will receive a response by tour staff within 3 business days of their submission.  This response will include an approval or denial of the request.  Responses to approved requests will include further instructions for registration and payment, both of which are required at least 5 business days prior to the date of the scheduled tour.

Guided tour groups are scheduled by visitor services staff on a first-come, first-served basis upon receipt of a registration request.  Guided tours are generally offered Mondays-Fridays between 9 am – 2 pm.  Alternate times are offered upon request when possible.

Cancellation and Refunds:

Self-Guided Group tours may be cancelled up to 24 hours prior to the scheduled tour date and time by emailing April Faucette, Visitor Services Coordinator at [email protected] .

Guided Group tours may be cancelled up to 3 days prior to the scheduled tour date and time by emailing April Faucette, Visitor Services Coordinator at [email protected] .

Full refunds are available if cancelled with the lead time listed above.

Groups who cancel tour later than the lead time listed, but prior to the time and date of the scheduled tour will receive a refund of their registration fee minus a $15 processing fee.  No-show groups will not receive refunds.

Tours which exceed the size indicated in registration will be expected to pay the difference upon arrival if not before.  No refund, full or partial, will be given in the case that the actual number of the participants who arrive for the tour is less than the registered number. 

In the rare case that the Gardens must cancel a group tour (e.g. for dangerous weather or unexpected university closure), fees will be refunded in full, within 10 days after the scheduled tour.

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Admissions Events

Graduate Admissions is here to assist you in learning more about UNC Charlotte's over 150 graduate programs. Charlotte offers a variety of information sessions, campus tours, virtual office hours and one-on-one meetings with Graduate Admissions Counselors.

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You will also find several events during the year to help future and admitted students learn about graduate programs and opportunities. Graduate Admissions looks forward to providing you with all of the information that you need to make an informed decision regarding your graduate education journey. 

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Housing Tours

Interested in a housing tour.

We are currently offering the following tour options:

• Admissions On-Campus Tour: Visit consists of a brief presentation by Admissions. Information about admissions requirements, academic programs and housing will be covered. A campus tour will follow which includes a tour of a residence hall. This option requires advance registration. Register now via the Admissions website .
• Appointment: If you'd like to tour a few of our housing options while you are on campus, schedule an appointment for a housing tour of select buildings by signing up here . 

Virtual Tours

Can't make it to campus for an in-person tour? You have a few options:

• Join Admissions for a 60-minute Zoom information session led by an Admissions Counselor and a virtual campus tour hosted by a Niner Guide student. Register now via the Admissions website .
• Check out virtual tours of ALL our halls here .
• Explore an Interactive Map of campus here . Click around this interactive map to learn more about campus and our residence halls. 

1:1 Housing Ambassador Appointments

Our Housing Ambassadors are here to answer all your questions about on-campus living, our residence halls and applying for Housing via our Online Housing System ! Schedule a 1 on 1 appointment via Zoom with one of our Housing Ambassadors here .

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student to teacher ratio in the College of Arts + Architecture

1 major. 7 concentrations. 1 minor. 2 certificates.

students enrolled in the Department of Music

Interested in studying music at UNC Charlotte? We’re proud you are considering us to further your musical skills and knowledge! Fill out our interest form so we can send you information on your specific interests. And, we invite you to come be a Music Major at UNC Charlotte for a day on October 9. Attend classes, play or sing in ensembles, meet faculty, and have lunch with current students. Details and registration here . 

Interested in learning more? Fill out this form!

Auditions for the department of music

Admission to degree programs in the Department of Music requires an entrance audition and is contingent upon acceptance into the University.  However, acceptance into the University is not required prior to your music audition.  We will be holding in-person auditions for music majors and select minors throughout the year. Please note, we are  not accepting auditions for minors in voice or percussion  at this time. 

In-Person Audition Dates (2023-2024): Alternate date auditions are available until Tuesday, April 30, 2024. Video auditions are accepted throughout the year with a submission deadline by Monday, August 5, 2024 for entrance to the Department in Fall 2024 .

• Saturday, January 20, 2024
• Saturday, February 10, 2024 (scholarship consideration deadline)
• Saturday, March 16, 2024

Requesting Your Audition

  Future Niners:  These procedures are for  first-year  and  transfer  applicants.

• Step 1: Complete an admissions application to UNC Charlotte and create your Future 49er account. We suggest applicants submit their university application by November 1st which is the submission deadline to receive a decision by January 30th.
• Step 2: Review the Audition Requirements (see below) for the degree, instrument area, and level you intend to pursue to prepare for your audition.
• Step 3: Using your Future 49er login credentials, request your audition (this includes video auditions) at least one week prior to the audition date . It is very important that you select an audition time for your instrument area (i.e., brass, percussion, piano/organ, strings, vocal, woodwinds) from the options listed. If you would like to request an alternate audition date or if there are no available times for your instrument area on the date you would like to audition please email the Associate Chair,  Dr. Jennifer Whitaker .  Additional information (e.g., campus map, parking instructions, driving directions) and reminder emails will be sent via email.
• Step 4: Complete your audition. You will receive your results through your Future 49er portal within 10 business days. 

Current Niners: These procedures are for current Charlotte undergraduate students (non-music majors) who wish to apply to a new degree program in the Department of Music. A new university application is not required.  

• Step 1: Review the Audition Requirements (see below) for the degree and instrument area you intend to pursue to prepare for your audition.
• Step 2:   Request your audition  (this includes video auditions)  at least one week prior to the audition date .  It is very important that you select an audition time for your instrument area (i.e., brass, percussion, piano/organ, strings, vocal, woodwinds) from the options listed.  If you would like to request an alternate audition date or if there are no available times for your instrument area on the date you would like to audition please email the Associate Chair,  Dr. Jennifer Whitaker .
• Step 3: Complete your audition. You will receive your results via your Niner email account within 10 business days. 

Scholarships:  In order to be considered for a music scholarship, interested students must create a profile in the NinerScholars Portal and audition by the scholarship consideration date listed above. Additional information is available on our Scholarships page.

Audition Repertoire:  Students auditioning for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Music or the Minor in Music should prepare one short piece of the student's choosing following the Audition Repertoire for Bachelor of Arts Degree or Music Performance Minor Guidelines .  Student's auditioning for any concentration within the Bachelor of Music degree who have fewer than four semesters of college-level lessons should follow the Repertoire Guidelines for Students Auditioning for Lower-Division Study (Freshman/Sophomore Level) .   Students auditioning for any concentration within the Bachelor of Music degree who have four or more semesters of college-level lessons should follow the Repertoire Guidelines for Students Auditioning for Upper-Division Study (Junior/Senior Level) . 

Inclement Weather (In-Person Auditions):  In the event of inclement weather, please check  the UNC Charlotte homepage  or call the university's Inclement Weather Hotline at 704-687-2877 to see if the campus is closed.  If the campus is closed, then all auditions will be postponed until the next audition date.  If the campus is not closed, then the auditions will proceed as planned.  If you do not feel safe driving to campus, you may reschedule your audition by completing a new Request for Audition Form as soon as possible.

Recorded Auditions:  A live audition is preferable, but prospective students may request to audition via video recording. Students submitting a video will follow the same procedure as scheduling an audition, but will include a link to a video that meets the Audition Repertoire Guidelines provided above. Complete the relevant process outlined above in Requesting Your Audition. Contact the Associate Chair, Dr. Jennifer Whitaker , with any questions.

Campus Events & Tours

Music Major for a day

The best way to discover what makes the college music experience at UNC Charlotte so special is to experience it for yourself! We will happily schedule opportunities for you to meet with professors, tour our facilities, observe a rehearsal, check out a college music class, meet current music students, and even schedule a free lesson with one of our outstanding faculty members! Check out our Music Major Preview Day on October 9!

If you are interested in visiting us, please contact Associate Chair Dr. Jennifer Whitaker . Get a head start and check out our Department of Music facilities , here!

CAMPUS TOURS

We strongly encourage you to visit our beautiful campus, take a tour, and attend the many concerts, recitals, and special events that we host throughout the year. Plan your visit and register for a campus tour with our office of undergraduate admissions! Your tour experience will highlight Charlotte’s robust 49er community, high-quality academics, and connection to the largest city in North Carolina.

New students are required to complete an  orientation program  over the summer before attending. The next University Open House is Saturday, March 23 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

REGISTER FOR A TOUR

GENERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT ADMISSIONS?

We encourage you to contact the  Office of Admissions  by email at [email protected]  or by phone at 704-687-5507.

WE'RE HERE FOR YOU!

For more information about advising, contact Performing Arts Advisor Hannah Harrell  or Arts Education Specialist Tesh Ramey .

APPLY NOW TO UNC CHARLOTTE!

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May 29th - 3v3 Basketball Tourney, Register by 5/27 June 4th - 4v4 Indoor Volleyball Tourney, Register by 5/31 June 10th - Singles Table Tennis Tourney, Register by 6/6

Register now for our  SWING INTO SUMMER Golf Lessons.  [Every Wednesday] June 5 - 26, 6:00pm - 7:15PM [Every Tuesday] July 16 - Aug 6, 6:00pm - 7:15PM The Tradition Golf Course 4 Sessions $50

EVENTS CALENDAR

Schedule Your Visit

Get to know Carolina through these experiences for prospective students.

In-Person Tours

Come join us for a welcome session and campus tour! Talk with current students and experience life on campus.

Self-Guided Tour

Enjoy a self-guided tour of campus.

Virtual Info Session

Join us online and hear from students and staff about the Carolina community and application process.

• Travel Trade
• Multicultural CLT
• Beyond Domestic
• Site Search
• Group Itineraries

Things to Do

• Eat & Drink

• Places to Stay
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• International Travel
• Attractions & Entertainment
• Tours & Experiences
• Unique Charlotte Experiences

College Tour

Morning, Day One

Tour North Carolina State University

With over 35,000 students enrolled, NC State offers bachelor’s degrees in 106 fields of study. A weekday two-hour tour includes a first-year information session.

Tour Duke University

This private university founded in 1892 is known for having a highly ranked business school and an elite basketball program. Weekday tours last just over an hour.

Afternoon, Day One

Tour University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

UNC-Chapel Hill is one of the oldest public universities in the United States. Notable alumni are former President James K. Polk and NBA All-Star Michael Jordan. Enjoy a group lunch on UNC’s campus at the Brinkhous-Bullitt Building: The Beach Café, Lenoir Hall or the Student Union. During a weekday tour, explore the Carolina Basketball Museum, which chronicles the history of UNC basketball.

Evening, Day One

Shop the Shoppes at University Place

Upon arrival in Charlotte, stop and enjoy dinner at Boardwalk Billy’s Raw Bar & Ribs overlooking the lake. Save room for dessert and head to Ninety’s Ice Cream & Sandwiches, a popular local hangout. Looking for an adventure? Rent a paddle boat and cruise around for a 30-minute ride. The Boardwalk in the University area will have students wanting to become a Future 49er.

Morning, Day Two

Tour UNC Charlotte

UNC Charlotte opened in 1946 and is the third largest of the 17 institutions within the UNC System, and largest institution in the Charlotte region. Weekday tours are two hours and include a Q&A panel with enrolled students and admission staff along with a photo scavenger hunt featuring artifacts around campus.

Afternoon, Day Two

Tour Johnson & Wales University

This university is one of only four private campuses in the nation with more than 16,000 students. The weekday tour explores the prestigious culinary lab where visitors can see future chefs in action. To taste the food from current culinary students, visit Johnson & Wales’ dining hall Monday through Friday.

Evening, Day Two

Explore Downtown Asheville

Experience the funky vibe of Asheville - visitors feel it the moment they begin strolling through Asheville’s vibrant city center – it’s an unmistakable mountain vibe that has beckoned tourists to this region time and again. Lining the streets of this walkable neighborhood, find a wide array of independent shops and some of the best dining in the Southeast.

More to Explore

Tour Appalachian State University

Home of the Mountaineers and nestled in the beautiful town of Boone, N.C., Appalachian State offers weekday tours with opportunities to meet faculty members, learn about majors and the admissions process.

Group-Friendly Restaurants

Accommodations