Chances/Opinions on getting into UNC!

<p>Hey y'all! I'm an out of state junior (from Virginia) and UNC is basically my dream school! I am taking a closer look at UNC and I was really hoping you guys could help me out and give me some outside opinions and suggestions for getting into UNC!!</p>

<p>GPA: I'm not exactly sure how weighted and unweighted grades work in different places but in my high school an A counts as a 4 for unweighted and a 5 for a weighted (no 4.3's for an A+ or anything like that) so bare with me if the numbers aren't completely correct!</p>

<p>unweighted / weighted
up to 10th grade: 4.0 / 4.0
after this year concludes (provided I get all A's): 4.0 / 4.2
I am planning on taking 4 or 5 AP classes my senior year as well (I took 4 AP's this year with a dual-enrollment class which was also weighted) so that should boost it up even more!</p>

<p>SAT: just took it for the first time yesterday so my scores should be in on the 20th!
ACT: planning on taking it in February!</p>

<p>EC's:</p>

<p>Varsity Cheerleading: 9th-11th (and I will cheer again my senior year)
Competition Cheerleading: 9th and 11th (and again next year) <strong>I tore my ACL the end of my freshman year and was unable to be on the competition team my sophomore year</strong>
2nd team all-district cheerleader my Junior year
Varsity Swimming: 10th (rehab sport for my knee)
Spanish Club 10th-11th (and next year)
Beta Club
Spanish Honor Society
Other Honor Society (history, english, math, science) inductions to come later this year!
Not a lot of volunteer hours, but planning on volunteering a lot this summer!!</p>

<p>At my high school, anyone who has a 4.0 weighted GPA or better is a valedictorian so hopefully I will be a valedictorian if my grades continue to be all A's!</p>

<p>So, with all of this information, do you guys think I will get into UNC as an out of state student?! Thank you so much for your time, opinions, and suggestions!! :)</p>

<p>**also, I would be trying out for the cheerleading team if that affects my chances at all!</p>

<p>With over 600 views can someone please help me out?!</p>

<p>It’s difficult to tell without knowing any of your standardized test scores. GPA doesn’t mean a whole lot without the context of class rank and the SAT/ACT.</p>

<p>Coming from out-of-state, your test scores need to be very high. Also, I definitely think you need more ECs that involve both leadership and helping others. Aside from sports, I don’t really see much meaning in your other ECs.</p>

<p>Okay yeah that definitely gives me something to work with thank you!</p>

<p>does anyone know what I should try to get my sat and act scores to be around?! and also, would posting my high school level courses completed and in the process of completing with grades be a good way to see what my chances are of being a strong applicant?! Thanks!!</p>

<p>34-35 ACT, 2200+ SAT has been my experience. Lower if you have something unique to bring to the university community (recruited athlete, URM, etc). Lists of classes wouldn’t help me… assuming the typical math, science, english, LOTE, SS yearly track. AP classes are absolutely a good thing for admission to UNC (and for BE credits when here). Be sure you score high on the AP exams.</p>

<p>Okay that sounds good! Would the fact I’m trying out for cheerleading make a difference? It’s so sad that UNC does not offer cheerleading scholarships! And I’m in dual enrollment history and pre-ap chemistry this year and those are my only non ap classes! Do you think that is okay!??</p>

<p>You are asking this question too early. Until you get test scores there is no way to predict.</p>

<p>^ true!</p>

<p>Certainly looks like cheering is a passion for you. UNC likes a passion and certainly a long term commitment toward your passion. I would not hurt to share that with admissions. It could be useful for an essay.</p>

<p>^ Yes it definitely is! I have been a cheerleader since 4th grade and even tearing three major ligaments in my knee didnt hold me back! I think it’s awesome you say that I could possibly use that for an essay because ever since I went through my journey to recovery I’ve been dying to write a paper about how it has changed me for the better (minus the scars)! haha, thank you for all of your help! :)</p>

<p>I got my SAT scores back in December and they are: 550 Reading (going to work on a lot before taking it again) / 650 Math / 680 Writing / 1880 total.</p>

<p>As I went into my first SAT blind and without any preparation, do you think that if I boost my total score up by at least 200 that I’ll have a shot at being accepted??</p>

<p>Hey, I’m a current UNC student, so I can provide some insight! Your grades look good and your ECs do as well! However, it’s hard to say without seeing your scores. Chapel Hill doesn’t have a required test score, but you can probably check CollegeBoard and see the averages. Most people I’ve met have between a 1900 and a 2200. So, anywhere in there I’d say would be good. However, being OOS, you need to have your score on the higher end, as UNC only accepts 18% OOS students. I’d say if you keep up the good work and stick to your ECs, have good recs, get good test scores, and write great essays, you should have a good shot. Best of luck!</p>

<p>Thank you tarheeler!! I’m signing up for the ACT tomorrow and I’m really hoping to do better on that than the SAT because I’m a much more math & science person than anything else! I think I’ll have great recs because I’m really close to my guidance counselor and I have two teachers in mind who have the reputation of writing great letters of recommendation! And I’m planning on hopefully basing my essay on my knee injury my freshman year and how it shaped me into the person I am today and how it showed me that I want to become a physical therapist in the future. I have been freaking out though because even though I have always had A’s as a final grades in all of my classes (which are all hard classes), I’m scared they won’t see me as some super genius and therefore I’ll get denied… Do you have any advice as to how I can truly set myself apart from other out of state applicants?</p>

<p>OOS admissions at UNC are very competitive. You need to show them that you can compete academically, but also that you are different than others. Maybe start a club, definitely be a leader in an EC, get a job, etc. Go above and beyond the average person applying to college. Good luck!</p>

<p>thank you! I’m planning on talking to my guidance counselor on class options for next year and I was wondering, will the admissions board even see the classes/grades from my senior year?? I am going to continue taking hard classes my senior year but that will really stink if it is all for nothing!!</p>

<p>Admissions will not see the grades when you apply, but they will see the schedule. However, after you are accepted (for EA) they will have you send your midyear and final grade reports. If you apply RD, they take your first semester into account. Keep taking AP classes during your senior year. Your course load is important to them. Also, say you get accepted but then for some reason (though I doubt this would happen to you), you get a D in a class; UNC would have the grounds to retract your acceptance letter. Senior year is very important!</p>

<p>okay awesome!! I have the option to take AP Government over the summer, do you think that, given I get an A, the 0.03 boost in my GPA would help my chances!? I would take the course over a 2 month period and then it would show up on my transcript with a grade and everything as opposed to being in my schedule!!</p>

<p>The GPA boost probably won’t matter much, but it might look good that you decided to do it over the summer. However, if I were you I would try to get a job/continue working or take a volunteer position.</p>

<p>Oh I definitely agree with you! I am applying soon for a job at the nursing home my great grandmother used to live in so I am very excited about that and volunteering with a local charity!!</p>