Chance Me: UNC-CH (in-state), Emory, Duke, Richmond, USC (Cali), UT Austin, UCLA

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hey everyone! I know that this is a wide array of schools, but if anyone could let me know what my chances are at these schools, it would be greatly appreciated!

Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: Middle to High Income
State: North Carolina
High School: Fairly large public school (around 1800 students)

Intended Major: Undecided
UW GPA: 4.00
W GPA: 4.5
Class Rank: 8 out of 397
ACT: 32 C (33 SS)
SAT Subject Tests: Just took Literature and Math II. Judging on how they went, hoping to get mid-700s.
Course Rigor: AP Psych 4, AP Spanish Lang 4, AP Computer Science 5, AP English Lang 5, AP Environmental Science 4, APUSH 3 (not submitting). Senior year I will take 5 APs (AP Stats, AP Human Geo, AP Bio, AP Micro/Macro, AP English Lit). Pretty rigorous schedule.

Extra Curriculars (probably my weakest section because of lack of leadership positions):

Youth and Government (attended state conference every year with legislative branch, campaign coordinator for student governor)
Classically trained in piano for the last twelve years
Performed piano in school concerts, played background piano at events
Tri-M National Music Honor Society (Officer)
JV Soccer (9th and 10th)
Volunteer with coaching disabled children in soccer (10-12)
Duke summer writing program (11)
UCLA summer screenwriting program (12)
Key Club and Latin Club
NHS (but joined 12th grade so it doesn’t really matter)

Essays: Writing is a strong suit so I believe that I will have solid essays.

Letters of Recommendation: One letter from AP English Lang teacher (probably an 8 out of 10) and another from my school piano teacher (10-12th grade, we are very close so I believe that it will be a very good letter). I am still deciding on another recommender.

2

I would stick with your in-state public school (UNC). Excellent education at a reasonable cost. UCLA will be expensive for OOS at 65,000 a year. UT has a mandate to take the top ~7% of Texas students.

The 32 ACT would be low for Duke. 34+ would help. The 32/33 SS might work if Oxford College/Emory is an option instead of a direct Emory application. Possibly for USC if it isn’t a popular major/school like Viterbi or Marshall, although Dornsife is getting picky these days as well.

3

Thanks for your take! You’re right, UNC in-state is tough to beat for the price. I am taking the ACT this September again and am hoping to get a 33, doubt I could pull off a 34 though. Do you think I could have a fair chance with Emory if I bring up my ACT?

4

33 composite and if the superscore is 34, Emory is a target. 33 might be fine depending on the major.

Wake Forest is test optional and should be added to your list as well.