Current junior...how to increase chances of OOS acceptance?

I am posting for my S - currently a junior. OOS (NY).

He is very interested in UNC – communications/journalism/sports management are his areas of interest.

I know how difficult an OOS admit is - curious what you think he can do to improve his chances.

Stats:
ACT: 36C (36E, 34M, 36R, 36S).
GPA: Estimated: 4.3wtd/3.97uw. Takes highest rigor possible
Goes to very competitive, rigorous public high school. Will be in top 3% of class.
All AP/Honors classes both sophomore/junior year.
APs this year: APUSH, APSpanish, APBio (can only take APs junior/senior year)
Senior Year courses: AP Calc AB, AP Euro, AP Lit, Honors Spanish, Physics, Journalism

Awards:

  • Model UN Award - Outstanding Country Research Paper
  • National Honor Society
  • Likely Commended National Merit Scholar ( will miss cutoff by one point for NMSF)
  • Global Literacy Scholar - organized huge book drive to start a community library in Kenya

EC:

  • School Newspaper, sports editor
  • Freelance journalist - writes sports feature articles for on-line town newspaper
  • Model UN (3 years - won award one year)
  • Director of school club that tutors children in low-income area (4 years)
  • Teaches soccer to special needs kids (4 years)
  • Junior counselor at summer camp
  • Started two libraries in Kenya via fundraising/book drive

Teacher Recs:
I think he will get very strong recommendations from APUSH teacher and journalism teacher. One of his teachers went to UNC/CH

No hooks

Curious what you think chances are and what if anything can improve chances.

Your son sounds like a very accomplished young man- congrats! OOS is tough … I am sure he will have many great options to choose from. A few questions/ comments:

Does your school have Naviance? What is the acceptance history?
Your son should focus on his LORs and essays. Take a look at the UNC YouTube videos.
Have you visited? Your son should show how he is a good fit for the school…

Good luck! I will PM you.