Out-of-state chances. Please respond!

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

<p>I am a white, upper middle class, male junior who attends a competitive private school in Alabama. I am quite interested in UNC because of its prestige and surprisingly affordable tuition. I know it's really hard to get in out of state, so please be brutally honest about my chances. False encouragement will only get my hopes up...</p>

<p>Standardized Test Scores:
SAT I:
Reading: 700
Math: 710
Writing: 800 (12 essay)
M+V: 1410
M+V+W: 2210</p>

<p>I'll take it again if I make National Merit Semi-Finalist, since it's required.</p>

<p>ACT Composite: 32 (I'll probably retake because I only got a 26 in the science).</p>

<p>SAT IIs: Haven't taken any yet... But I will take three and hopefully get 700+ on all of them.</p>

<p>Rank: (My school doesn't rank, which is probably for the best. Although I am #2, there are only 40 people in my tiny class).</p>

<p>GPA: It's always been well above 4.0. (I can't find my report cards right now so I can't tell you what they are exactly).</p>

<p>By the time I graduate as a senior, I'll have taken 7 AP courses (it's all my school offers), but I only have the exam results from one of them (AP US History, got a 4).</p>

<p>Extracurriculars (this might be the area that will kill me)
Basketball: 9
Varsity Tennis: 11-12
Spanish Club: 9-11
Spanish Honor Society: 10-11
National Honor Society: 11-12 (unless I get kicked out senior year, which I don't expect to happen)
125+ hours community service (although, granted, 100 hours are required to graduate from my high school).</p>

<p>Awards: (Given to highest GPA in the class)
A Honor roll: 9-11, hopefully 12 as well
Spanish Award: 9-11
Physics Award: 11
Religion Award: 10 (I know, I know...but don't laugh, it's required)
Computer Applications Award: 9</p>

<p>I'm at least a commended scholar, but I have a chance of being a semi-finalist as long as the cutoff doesn't increase more than one point from last year (got a 213 on the PSAT this year, last year's cutoff was 212).</p>

<p>Hook:
Not a big one, but I did attend Alabama Boys State and was elected to House of Representatives (which, granted, is not a particularly high position, but I was too shy to run for anything big).</p>

<p>So what do you think? I'd rather you all be honest than nice.</p>

2

<p>I think you look competitive and I know that Boy's State is regarded highly. Also boys have a slight edge over girls applying as the female applicant pool tends to be larger most years.</p>

3

<p>Thanks for the feedback.</p>

<p>Yeah, I know that UNC is slightly overpopulated by girls... I'm hoping that will really help with admissions chances.</p>

4

<p>you are right about your EC's.</p>

<p>Except for an interest in spanish, I see very little passion in you ECs.
Also I realize that 125 hrs is a substantial amount of hours, but in relation to other applicants who have 400+ hrs or so, it pales. Is it a conglomeration of small activities or is it centered around one organization that you love contributing to. That makes a difference. </p>

<p>You have another year to boost this part up and when you do, you will be a very strong applicant. Until then, start some organizations, lead others, so UNC your interests and passions.</p>

5

<p>Shoot... I knew my EC's were going to kill me....</p>

<p>Thanks for the constructive criticism... I am very interested in UNC, and I would be willing to put forth an extra effort to get in...</p>

<p>Now I just have to think of something that I can do to set me apart from other applicants....</p>

6

<p>Does your school select Morehead applicants? I don't know anyone who was turned down if they made it through 1st round of Morehead selection process. Don't know if you can self-reccommend.</p>

7

<p>I'm not sure if my school selects applicants or not. If they do, it wouldn't be a problem. I don't think getting selected by my school will be the problem....</p>

<p>The problem would be getting the Morehead scholarship.... My stats just aren't good enough to have any chance of getting it.... :(</p>

8

<p>My S got in UNC from somewhat larger private school in Alabama but similar standardized test scores. His athletics (soccer) was a very strong hook--but had very strong grades--all A's 4.80 unweighted. I think the GPA was the big attraction for UNC since his test scores were competitive but not great. (He was a commended scholar with a 206 on PSAT.) Not sure if this helps but I hope so. I know that any encouragement for OOS student attemting UNC and UVA (where my son was also accepted) was helpful to us.</p>

9

<p>sorry--previous message had typo--4.80 weighted of course (not unweighted)</p>

10

<p>jlauer-is this your mother's screen name? It is a bit confusing when your info says you have a husband!! You might want to get your own screen name so that you and your mom's post can be told apart.</p>

11

<p>Lol. Yeah, my mom and I share the same screen name... I probably should create a new one for myself to avoid confusion....and strange glances.</p>

12

<p>My d is an oos candidate who was accepted after receiving a likely letter. She had a strong application, NMF, national awards, varsity letter, SATs and SAT IIs in the mid 700s. But I think the advice we received here on the UNC board that was most valuable was to pay careful attention to the essays. Apparently, essays are carefully considered and weigh heavily in the decision process for oos candidates. My d is a strong, creative writer and I think this is what got her that likely letter and a spot in the class of 2010.</p>