<p>I'm currently a junior at Raleigh Charter, which is ranked 24th in the nation, so that's probably the reason why my gpa is so low just a forewarning. So my unweighted gpa is 3.3, weighted is 4.1. The last time I took the SAT i got a 2100, but I plan on retaking it again so hopefully it will raise. Also, my ACT was a 31.
I have done this Volunteer program at Rex hospital, which is part of UNC health care, for all of junior year so far and I plan on continuing it during the summer and senior year. I am also planning on doing this other UNC volunteer program where I actually volunteer at the UNC campus during the summer. I have had a job since the end of sophomore year and work all summer and about 10hours a week during the school year. I also volunteer at the animal shelter occasionally whenever I have free time.
I was in Tri-M Music honor society freshman till present, key club & german club since sophomore year, joined environmental club, and student legislative assembly just this year, and started the Harry Potter club this year just for fun. I don't have any leadership positions yet, but I plan on running for senior rep in SGA, a position in german, key club, and hope to be either band president or vp senior year.
My AP classes so far have been APUSH and APES, but senior year I plan on taking 4 AP's. All my classes have been honors so far except for band for freshman and sophomore year and german from freshman year till this year.
As far as sports go I have been on the soccer team since sophomore year, I would have been on the tennis team as well but I play competitive soccer on a club team year round so I have no time.<br>
And my older brother is in his freshman year at UNC right now if that helps.
So do you guys think I have a good chance at UNC?? I really hope so it is basically the only school I want to go to.</p>
<p>Don’t worry about it. If you push yourself at your school and stay involved in your community for the right reasons and let yourself shine through your application, there’s no reason that you wouldn’t be able to go to UNC. Just do your best and be passionate about it. They’ll know.</p>
<p>if that gpa is current (as in calculated up to now), then I think you need to try a lot harder. In all honesty a school’s ranking is not pertinent…i don’t really think raleigh charter is above in terms of hardship than other schools (say in wake). Quite the contrary, I believe public schools are a lot harder since the student there has to build their rep and constantly compete for attention and success all on their own since they have multiple (bad and good) environments that surround him/her.
I definitely do not agree with Connoc’s assumption “…there’s no reason that you wouldn’t be able to go to UNC”. This statement is as if the above candidate will be an absolute shoo-in. I’ve had people who I knew with high SAT get rejected due to their gpa. In addition, since Raleigh charter doesn’t rank…you’ll have to show colleges exactly how you match up against your classmates. I just want to tell OP the truth…it’s better than misleading someone and making them overconfident about the process.</p>
<p>Yea I mean I know my gpa is not the best, but people tell me UNC looks alot at EC’s and I was hoping that since I’m really involved in UNC’s volunteer opportunities it would kind of even out.
And I’m just going to say flat out that Raleigh Charter is definitely harder than most wake county public schools. I have several friends who I knew through middle school who got a lot of B’s while I got all A’s and somehow they’re getting close to straight A’s at public school while I’m struggling for B’s. That should prove you something…
Also, it’s also a lot easier to get leadership positions at public schools. A friend of mine ran for latin club secretary sophomore year at her school and there was literally no one running against her so she automatically got the spot. Also, my older brother who went to public school was latin club president from junior to senior year simply because there was only 1 other applicant who was clearly under-qualified. And this is in a school of over 1500.</p>
<p>I just know from personal experience that a school’s difficulty doesn’t really read in the application… only your numbers do. One of my friends got rejected from UNC, in-state, and she had great ECs and is in NHS, so her GPA couldn’t have been too low, but the school (private) we attend is really difficult and would have brought it down from the straight As she would have gotten at an easier school… But it’s so hard to relay that about a school.
You just never know what will happen. I would say you have a good chance, but don’t rely on the difficulty of your school to explain away your GPA, nothing is that fair…!</p>
<p>Hey MJ,</p>
<p>I have a different opinion based on the following: Your GPA isn’t too far off incoming first year average of 4.47 (OOS applicant figures included in this average), so I wouldn’t stress too much on that. Rigor of curriculum is very important, so taking the most difficult classes offered at your school is imperative. </p>
<p>Your SATs and ACT scores are at the top of the middle 50 percentile of 2010 enrolled first year applicants (again OOS and in-state figures are in this average), so you are in good shape there. Remember, UNC admits on a holistic basis, so one score will not dismiss you. Conversely, one great score will not get you an acceptance letter either.</p>
<p>Beyond academics, make sure you communicate in your application, essays and resume that you have excellence in other areas like in the arts; in athletics; in leadership, community service, citizenship and character. Keep in mind UNC is trying to build a well-rounded community of students, not a student body of high scores. This is why you need to tell them what you have done and what you care about— those things that make you the unique person you are. </p>
<p>If you have the most rigorous curriculum offered at your hs and have those ec’s discussed above, plus put the time into writing very good essays, I’d say with your SAT and ACT scores, and your GPA, you stand a very good chance of being offered admission to Carolina.</p>
<p>Ask your GC. She’ll have the best idea of where kids with your stats end up.</p>
<p>I agree with glassesarechic’s advice. If your school is as rigorous and exceptional as it may seem, you should consult someone who is experienced in the admissions business.
Nevertheless, your school’s cumulative rank really matters quite little in comparison to the big picture. You mentioned your latin example, but here is something to ponder at. If you received your presidency with ease at a public school in a latin club (now in most cases for public schools these language clubs come out to be social meets)…and you decide to do very little…that activity is seen insignificant. In the eyes of admissions, they will see it as if the candidate was stacking up on things that he/she wasn’t really interested in in the first place. So really, easy or not…admissions is looking for you to shine yourself by your commitment (not by being an easy going leader).
Furthermore, do not get the wrong impression with the noncompetitive nature of public schools. In fact, the competition gets intensely tough for more prestigous organizations such as those associated with academics and service. Language clubs…really are not that tough to receive a position in (unless the club is really popular).
Anywho, what I’m trying to say is that don’t consider yourself a special exception. I use to go to a private school (yes I know your’s is a charter…but same thing) and transferred over to a public (competitive) for high school. It was quite intense for me to get use to the numbers and environment. As years passed and my senior year approached, I realized that my education was quite alike in standards if not more. Public schools teach you to be prepared for all types of people and stand out from the crowd. My public school had the same prestige added to leadership titles as my private school (given that I participated in popular and solid clubs).
However, I’m not a jerk trying to prove that public schools are better or equal…nor am I blasting your bubble here completely. Your numbers are great, in fact they will certainly get you in to wonderful schools. However, your gpa needs boosting. UNC is a hollistic grader, but that will depend on your passion for the ecs you participate in. You have to prove that you can compare just as equally as the people who adcoms seek to recruite. Lastly, you stand a good chance, but only if you are willing to buckle yourself and improve further in academics and your ecs. It can be a lot to manage, and some people are able to shine a lot in their passion, rather than in their classes. That is perfectly fine, and since UNC doesn’t hold interviews, your best bet is your essays.
I know that your guidance counselors really share the true story, and this is why it is best to talk with him/her. You seem to care a lot about your involvement in school activities, that is brilliant. I wish I could have done the same my senior year, alas I hope to receive this opportunity in college. Kudos and I hope your application journey will put you in a college where you truly belong at. :)</p>