'One of the best decisions of my life': UNC athletes discuss early enrollment Posted Jul 18, 2022 Early enrollment is the process in which high school athletes complete their high school credits by December and enroll as freshmen in college for the spring semester. Many athletes at UNC are now opting to enroll early to get a head start on classes and adjust to college life. This January, North Carolina's football program welcomed eight early enrollees. (Daily Tar Heel)