@xyxyxx - A weakness of the standard data set or other published numbers is that you see 2 one dimensional scales as opposed to 1 two dimensional graph. I pulled up our scattergrams and we’ve never had anyone apply with such mismatched SAT/GPA numbers. If I were to GUESS I’d say that NCSU places a little more weight on test scores and your S will be OK. This solely based on our history, not the universe of applicants. Based on nothing but the chart I would think NCSU is a match, not a safety. You need a chart with more points and more outliers.
CH is harder to read since we’ve never sent such a mis-match. The scattergram suggests that GPA is a better predictor than SAT and CH is a bit of a reach. Make sure he writes killer essays and supplements!
DS is a few years away from applying but thanks so much to everyone for posting detailed stats as it is very useful information and hopefully can aid our family when the time comes…Good luck!!
I think it’s important to note that, although not publicized, UNC-CH uses a matrix that caps admission for students in certain NC counties/high schools.
So, depending on where your child goes to high school, their scores/GPA may not put them in the “solid” acceptance category.
I’ve heard that about CH caps though both admish people whom I’ve met deny it. I suspect that it’s true just like I suspect that while applications are read holistically it only matters for kids on the bubble, though that bubble may be larger than at some colleges. Our scattergram shows a big chunk of acceptances without a single red X, as well as a big chunk of rejections without a single green checkmark. There is a mixed swath in the middle and that’s where it gets holistic.
It’s also worth noting that any of the published numbers are a blend of in and out of state students, and this includes acceptance %. Last year in-state was 49%, according to their presentation.
Well, UNC is supposed to represent ALL Carolina counties as a common good/public university for all state residents. If more students from some counties want to apply, then it stands to reason the acceptance rate for those counties would be lower than for counties where fewer students apply. And/or if some counties have a better overall educational system and provide more opportunities than others, then the applicants will be judged according to what their county offers (for instance, if the high school doesn’t offer calculus, the student can’t be dinged for not taking, and this is a different situation than if the student attends a high school where 30% students take calculus but didn’t take it, and applies for STEM.)a
Don’t schools submit profiles so kids are judged by the classes offered and not dinged for not taking classes not offered? Some schools put a limit on number of AP classes - others allow as many as a student can handle, or a parent can force. Don’t admissions officers know that?
I wonder how often schools actually put a limit on APs? In our case, we were told by virtually everyone that our local public high school only allowed freshmen to take AP World History. We met with the GC while deciding which high school to attend and presented her some of son’s accomplishments and ultimately he was permitted to take 3 APs…son is an unusual case as he went to a charter in a nearby county for middle school and got quite a few pre-reqs out of the way but still it is possible to take more than AP World despite what many say…also since we are speaking of NC, there are quite a few offerings through NCVPS and NCSSM online that kids can take if their local public does not offer it.
Kids are not dinged by their public flagship for not taking classes not offered and for respecting their school’s rules about scheduling.
These rules and regulations appear in the past that the guidance counselor sends.
Class of 1979 here. When I went, the state of NC had 5 million vs 10 million today. I’d never get in today. I see especially UNC-W (and App State and UNC-C) as taking in the overflow of very good students who would get into virtually every flagship in the US.
My oldest D is at NCSU and loves it. Her backup choice was UNC-W. The student stats at UNC-W and App are nearly as high as NCSU, though NCSU will have greater national recognition.
I understand OP’s kid not wanting to any further South (my other two Ds feel the same, and one is already in Portland OR), but as mentioned upthread, it is not uncommon for very good students to go to USC (that is U of South Carolina in these parts) or Clemson. My niece who lives in Northern VA did not get into UVA and has just started at USC, and her tuition is less than in-state VA publics.
@yearstogo - I think our school is pretty strong on AP limits. None in 9th grade and 6 total 10-12. If their friends were doing more we would hear about it. Some do extra stuff over the summer but not most and i don’t know details.
I’m sure SC has good options but if they’re happy with CH, NCSU, and App then I am too.
@byadg123, thanks so much for looking at your scattergrams and trying to figure out where my D would fit (and apologies for the delayed reply…I’ve been out of town.) As I suspected, our school district does not have access to Naviance. It really sounds like a helpful tool, though. Just my luck that DD’s profile isn’t replicated by anyone at your school, lol!
Your NCSU assessment is particularly helpful. D will graduate with a diploma designation for an academic program that adds requirements (similar to the way an IB program does) that I think would make her a great fit and should make NCSU a safe bet IMO, but if they focus more on her GPA, they may not appreciate that designation. Her strength is the total package. Still, my S was accepted 4 years ago with “barely higher” stats and slightly less impressive EC’s, so I’m hopeful.
We are likely to do what your D2 is doing, and apply to APP early as a safety (even without visiting first), just in case. This is as a result of you starting this thread and the information from both you and @MYOS1634 . Thanks!
@xyxyxx - If D explains somewhere in her essays about how great that her unusual HS experience has prepared her for NCSU I bet it will help.
My D may apply to Barnard ED, safe in the knowledge that we can bail for financial reasons. Her application will be pretty strong except for test scores so she needs all the help she can get. Barnard clearly unofficially said that ED was an advantage for admission and perhaps even money. We will compare their net cost to the worst case Chapel Hill.
@byadg123 and @MYOS1634, D and DH are on their way home from APP as I write. She liked it! Thanks so much for starting this conversation and especially for the heads up on the EA deadline to be considered for the scholarships. I had no idea they had such generous merit aid! She liked it better than UNCW, so will likely forego applying EA to UNCW, in favor of putting her time into the essays for APP scholarships. Thank you both!
@xyxyxx - D1 decided to do EA for NCSU and CH, RD for APP, Barnard, Fordham, and NYU. I’ll be shocked if she doesn’t get into State but everyone needs a safety.
D2 is RD everywhere: CH, NCSU, APP, Syracuse, and Marist. I’ll be a little surprised though not schocked if she doesn’t get in to State.
@byadg123 - She applied EA to NCSU and CH and will likely meet the EA deadline for Ursinus, APP and Dickinson, so a good bit of overlap between us. I’m in between on her chances at NCSU, but closer to your D2…I won’t be shocked if she isn’t accepted, but very surprised.
Best of luck to your D1 and D2! I’ll be looking forward to your updates.