My son is currently a high school junior, with a 3.4 unweighted and 4.38 weighted GPA. His SAT score is a 1300 (660 verbal and 640 math). Class rank is 100 out of 636. His EC’s include National Honor Society, 4 years of school lacrosse (2 years JV and it will be 2 years of varsity). He will also have 4 years with a local Lacrosse club. He’s done 100+ hours of community service mainly focused on youth sports mentoring. He has a Bronze Congressional Youth award. 5+ years of piano. 2 years of work experience as a Lifeguard at a neighborhood pool. We are in state for UNC Chapel Hill (he’s also a legacy). Does he have a chance?
Sure, he has a reasonable shot. Make sure he does his best work on his application (esp. essays). Note that legacy status does not affect his chances since he already has the in-state advantage.
As a jealous OOS applicants mother, I think he has a great shot!
Curious to hear more opinions? Anyone?
I think his chances are solid but not assured. SAT and ECs look good. Weighted and unweighted GPAs are low in comparison to most so the rigor of the class load and how he performed on AP exams will be important. Also, class rank being around 16% is outside of the norm (current class (current icoming first years, 78% were in the top 10% of the class). The reputation of the school and its success in placing quality students at UNC will have an impact.So… if his essays were excellnt and really show UNC what he has to offer, I think he has a good chance.
Thank you. I think I agree with that assessment. It’s been my thought that he was on the bubble, so to speak, but wanted more information from those experienced with the application process. My thought is that it will be difficult to raise GPA much at this point. I think he needs to focus on raising his SAT score, and writing a great essay and getting some fabulous recommendation letters. More opinions welcome.
Maybe he can’t raise his overall GPA dramatically, but if he were to get mostly or all A’s this year in difficult classes, that would show an upward trend. For ECs, focus on leadership within one or two activities.
In state, you should have a good shot. I got in OOS EA with stats not much higher than your son’s. Take it from someone’s who’s been admitted and visited a ton of times with the admissions office; you don’t understand how much of advantage in -state applicants get over OOS ones. your son will be fine.
In state definitely has an advantage, but don’t overplay that hand, it is still a difficult place to get in for instate. Quite a few people at my child’s HS with better SAT/ACT and GPA were denied this year. Her school is a big UNC feeder. UNC is holistic in its review. Raise the SAT or ACT if possible. Not sure of his class rigor or how many AP’s the school offers and he has taken or will take. Class rigor is important in putting GPA and class rank in perspective. Talk with the guidance counselor to see what he/she would put as class rigor and what it would take to get to most difficult. Then kill the essays and EC. Impossible to chance, but do everything you can to improve his chances. Good luck.
Thank you all. He now has a 1350 SAT (690 math and 660 verbal). GPA/class rank have not changed much. His course load has been rigorous. Almost all honors classes, and 6 total APs. His essays look great to me, and to his college counselor as well. His recommendations should be good as well. Here we go!