Should i bother applying to UNC (in state student)?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
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<p>Hello, im questioning if i should bother applying to UNC chapel hill as an instate student. I get tons of letters from them and ive been to a lot of events theyve invited me to like a science fair, campus tour, etc. But i know that the main reason they give me so much interest is because i got really high scores on the PSAT, which is why i also got lots of letters from other great schools across the country. But sadly the PSAT doesnt factor into your admission, and im lacking a lot in other areas. </p>

<p>My SAT score is a 1870 overall, my ACT is a 25, but my GPA is only a 3.04 unweighted (3.6 weighted). I am black, which apparently can help since schools like diversity, but I dont know if it will help me get past the fact that i also have 2 suspensions. One was only one day for skipping off campus, however the other was 5 days, for an incident on a bus (i jumped out of the back of the bus while it was moving, it was a bet, kids do dumb things sometimes). I guess it does help that I will have 6 APs taken by the end of my high school career, and i have a concentration in science (ive taken honors chemistry, honors physics, AP biology, AP chemisty, AP environmental), and my desired major is environmental sciences, so it does show an interest in a field. But i also have a lack of extracurriculars, my only extracurricular is 100 hours of community service (i won the mayors award for it), and a job i had over the summer. And lastly, i dont exactly have any teachers who i think would be excited to write a good recommendation for me, as in all the classes i did well in, i slept/goofed off a lot in, and the teachers thought i wasnt applied. And in the classes i didnt do so well in, i tried, but i also had some issues with paying attention, and like i said, i didnt do well in them. Im also kinda quiet, so i dont really have a personal relationship with any of my teachers.</p>

<p>So knowing all of this information, do you think its worth even taking the time to apply to UNC? I know they put a lot of value into the essay, and i traditionally am a very good essay writer, yet i still dont know if its worth the fee/time and effort to apply, since im pretty sure that i have a 1% chance of getting admitted.</p>

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<p>I think it comes down to is do you really want to go there? You can study and retake the SAT. You can talk to your teachers and see if they will write a good recommendation. They might surprise you. Discuss your record with them. Were you falling asleep because you were working or helping support your family? How did you do on the AP exams?</p>

<p>You do have a mixed record. Is it worth applying? I would say yes if you are committed to applying yourself if you get in. The application is not that hard to fill out. It does cost. Unless it is a serious financial hardship (which I know it can be), what do you have to lose?</p>

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<p>Thanks for your response noname, I would really like to go to UNC an i dont have financial worries really so ill probably apply, but I am kinda wondering why you say I could retake the SAT, i know my score isnt perfect but its pretty good based on my understanding. I was thinking about retaking the ACT as i know that score was a bit low (the test was really dumb imo), but id prefer not to retake either unless i really need to. I slept mainly because i had a medical issue all of my teachers were aware of, but i still had some issues with teachers getting a little frustrated with it, but Ill talk to some of them and see if i can get a good recommendation from one of them, i know theres atleast one i can find who would be willing to do it. </p>

<p>But i guess what id really like to know now is my chances of being admitted now, ill apply but id still like to know where to place my expectations, especially when it comes to making sure i have back up colleges.</p>

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<p>Um,1870 is pretty average. No offense. I know it feels like a good score- when I was a sophomore, people were wowed with my 1860. However, UNC’s average is 1790-2090. With your record, you want to be on the higher end of that scale.
You still have a chance, though. But retaking your SAT, getting a good rec, and writing killer essays will help your case A LOT.</p>

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<p>(also I’m from NC and just had a bunch of friends go through the application cycle- I know roughly what kind of people get in)</p>

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<p>From the Chapel Hill press release:</p>

<p>"The middle 50 percent of the class scored between 1780 and 2100 on the SAT and between 1200 and 1410 on the critical reading and math sections combined. The middle 50 percent scored the following ranges on each component: 590-700, critical reading; 610-710, math; and 580-690, writing. The average total score was 1938 with the averages in the following sections: 644—critical reading; 659—math; 1304— critical reading and math combined.</p>

<p>The percentage ranking in the top 10 percent declined slightly, from 79.8 percent last year to 78.8 percent this year. Of students reporting a grade-point average on a weighted 4-point scale, 91.2 percent scored 4.0 or higher.</p>

<p>Enrolling students who reported ACT scores, the middle 50 percent reported scores between 28 to 32 (same as last year). The average ACT score was 29.9, which dropped slightly (30 last year)."</p>

<p>Since your score of 1870 is below the average of 1938 and your ACT score of 35 was below the average of 29.9, I would think it is worth taking the SAT or ACT again. It is work and stress but it could improve your chances.</p>

<p>I doubt that your race will help much but I could be wrong. Out of the 10,000 NC student that apply, I have to believe that they will not have a problem achieving the diversity they want. This year the enrolling class had 10.1 percent identified as African-American.</p>

<p>You need to work with your guidance consoler to make sure that your medical issue is properly addressed.</p>

<p>Is it worth it to try? Yes. Most people seem to think it is a great school and enjoy their time there. What do you have to lose? Remember the payoff if you get in is great compare to the effort of filling out an application. Overall, I would not consider this school a safety. This might end up being a reach.</p>

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<p>Be realistic and hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. That’s always my advice to students applying to UNC. I was denied as as a high school senior BUT I worked my a** off and got in as a junior transfer. :slight_smile: </p>

<p>Bring that SAT score up, take the ACT as well.
Get involved in some extra stuff, volunteering and things like that.
As stated above, get amazing recommendations and write killer essays. Those can be the deal breakers, regardless of “scores” and grades. </p>

<p>Link because I feel it is necessary. Class profile for class of 2016:
[Discover</a> academic opportunities that distinguish Carolina](<a href=“http://admissions.unc.edu/Academics/Class_Profile_and_Rankings/default.html]Discover”>Our Newest Class - Undergraduate Admissions)</p>

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<p>Is Duke the Rival of UNC?</p>

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<p>yes it is.</p>

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<p>1870 is definitely an average SAT score for UNC, and your GPA is significantly lower than the average freshman applicant. I would say it’s not impossible but I would definitely not count on it. The lack of ECs is going to hurt you as well. To maximize your chances I would focus on writing a strong essay and find some teachers that can write great LORs. I would say it’s a low reach at this point</p>