Chances at UNC / Other colleges

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
1

Hey!

So this is my first post, and I wanted to see what everyone thought about my college chance at UNC would be.

My unweighted GPA: 3.313
Weighted: 3.813 (Sadly, both are not great. However, I have taken multiple Post AP, AP, and Honor classes) I challenge myself, but have compromised my GPA in the process…

ACT: 30 Superscore
New SAT: Critical Reading: 670 Math: 670
Out-of-state *Terrible for admissions, but still hopeful

Extracurricular: Varsity Cross Country, Varsity Swimming, Treasurer in National English Honor Society, Member of National Technical Honor Society, Lifeguard - White Water, Menchie’s Team member, Academic Journal Board Editor, Helping Hands (Volunteering events - pet adoptions, sandwich making, etc.)

AP Courses: Human Geography (9), Physics I (10), Psychology (10), World History (10), English Language (11), Biology (11), U.S. History (11), Calculus AB (11), Calculus BC (11)
Post AP Courses: DNA Genetics (11)
Honors: Foundations (9), Advanced Algebra (9), Literature Composition (9), Analytic Geometry (9), British Literature (10), Spanish III (10)
Magnet: Chemistry (9), Biology (9), Biochemistry (10)
Accelerated: Pre-Calculus (10)

In my senior year, I plan on taking Multivariable Calculus, AP Environmental Science, AP Gov, AP Econ, Adv. Research and Internship (Two separate classes: Hopeful intern with Oncologist at Kaiser Permanente), and AP Lit

Graduating with the Magnet Seal in 2017

Do you think my chances are fair? I know that my GPA is low, and out of state is tricky with UNC…

Also, should I wait for regular admission or go for early admission?? (my listed GPA is from Junior year - Fall semester. My spring semester will boost my GPA slightly because I recieved 3 A’s and one B in weighted classes)

I know they do not consider your major in application, which is good because I want to do something with molecular biology and genetics.

Besides this school, any other recommendations? I also like UGA so…

Thanks!!!

2

For extracurriculars, I also babysit

3

What state do you live in, and will money be a factor in your admissions decision?

A couple of observations: First, if you are an OOS applicant, you should definitely apply Early Action; although there were a record number last year at UNC, nearly 20,000 (http://uncnews.unc.edu/2015/10/28/unc-chapel-hill-receives-record-19682-applications-for-first-year-early-action-admission-deadline/), nevertheless I think your chances of admission are probably better with EA application.

Having mentioned that, however, my opinion is that your chances of admission as an OOS applicant are extremely low, unless you have a “hook” such as being a recruited D-I athlete, URM, first-generation to college, etc… Most unhooked OOS kids I know who have been admitted at UNC have had an ACT of 34 or higher, and a weighted GPA of 4.5 and above; even the OOS legacy admits have had statistics close to a 34 ACT/4.5W GPA. Because only 18% of each admitted freshman class consists of OOS students, the competition among OOS students is intense.

You have a much better chance of admission at UGA; but you might also look at the University of South Carolina as well as some LACs such as Furman or Rhodes.

4

Thanks for the honesty. I know I didn’t have good shot from the beginning, but I am very glad to have an outside perspective. I am retaking the ACT and SAT in the fall (parents want me to). Because of that, should I wait to apply to UNC? (I think the ACT score will be done before the EA, but the SAT won’t).

Also, I am from Gerogia, and money does play a role (however, its not a SIGNIFICANT factor in college choice and decision).

5

The Early Action deadline for UNC is really early: October 15. If you take the ACT in September, you may have your results back by the EA deadline (but you may want to check with the UNC admissions office to find out whether they must be submitted by the EA deadline, or whether you can send them along later if necessary). Otherwise, apply to UNC as an RD applicant if you can get your test scores up a bit, AND if you think that you can get a boost from your Fall Semester grades.

If you are in-state for Georgia, what about Georgia Tech? You might have a little better chance getting in there (although it also has an October 15 deadline for EA applicants). Or, you might consider Emory University – Oxford College (which after 2 years should get you to the main campus of Emory).

If you have not been to Furman or Rhodes, I recommend a campus visit to both schools; they are lovely.

6

I think my GPA will go up with my classes, and I am pretty sure I can bring my ACT score up. Thanks so much!!!

7

OOS for UNC will be a stretch. It would not be a guaranteed match in-state. ACT score improvement would help. Early action is a good advice, too.

8

Thank you very much!!! I appreciate everyone’s advice and help regarding my own admissions. I think I am going to wait for RD if my ACT score does not improve (that will help increase my GPA, which might improve my chance a little). I hope that I do well (maybe like a 32/33) so that I stand a better chance and can apply by the EA deadline. Thanks again!