<p>I've been asked to assist a young man who is applying to UNC-CH early notification and I'm wondering if any parents of successful UNC-CH OOS applicants have any insight/words of wisdom as to how he can put his best foot forward and perhaps increase his chances. I won't bore you with his complete stats, rather just say that his SAT scores and h.s. grades are well within the range of a UNC student, using USNWR information--top 5%, lots of honors and AP classes. He's taken the toughest load available to him. Although his h.s. is an outstanding suburban school district, the GC says they haven't had a successful UNC-CH candidate in almost 20 years. He is an excellent local athlete (although not Div I material) and has been involved in a slew of school activities; leadership is strong; he's done a fair amount of community service; and is an Eagle Scout. He's an active, friendly, normal kid who would be a perfect candidate for the school. (Aren't they all?!)</p>
<p>Does anyone have any info on what UNC looks for in an OOS kid (other than finding a cure for cancer in his spare time!) :-) ?</p>
<p>I'm offering feedback on his essay, activity sheet, etc. and general moral support. Oh, his teacher and counselor recs are going to be outstanding as well. </p>
<p>My son was accepted OOS several years ago. There were numerous factors: an acceptable (but not especially outstanding) SAT I score and an 800 in the writing SAT II; coming from a unique IB international private school located in DC; interesting extracurricular activities including leadership roles in religious and humanitarian organizations, lots of artsy stuff revolving around film, and spending time in Czech Republic studying with Eastern and Central European teenagers in a four-week educational opportunity sponsored by an organization funded by George Soros.</p>
<p>Oh yea, one other thing. This may be the most important although my wife thinks our son would have gotten in anyway. Our son is the child of two out of state alums. Both my wife and I went to grad school at Carolina. Children of OOS alumni are put in a special admissions pool. Their credentials are much closer to in-staters than other OOS applicants. In fact we were told that a number of slots are set aside for these types of applicants.</p>
<p>Basically UNC is looking for interesting students. They want a well rounded class not necessarily well rounded students. So if the applicant can bring something unusal to next year's entering class he should highlight it.</p>
<p>With the cap set at 18% for OOS Carolina is a tough one. We are in-state and last year's in-state kiddos had a tough time. Son did get in early notfication but he had done research at the med school the summer previous. DS' good friends from high school applied as well. A few got in, most did not. The biggest surprise was his very dear friend whose brother was in from the year before did NOT get accepted. This is a student with a high GPA, ranked in the top 10, not 10% out of a 500+ class with numerous APs and co-captain of a varsity sport. Same kiddo was in at UIUC, State and a few privates but a no-go on Carolina. I am thinking less than a handful were accepted last year (#1, #3, #4 & #5), #2 and everyone after #5 was a no...#3-#5 are attending. And these were kiddos with high stats, Governors School, multiple varsity sports, URMs, Div 1 athletes, 100s of hours of community service...needless to say it was tight, much worse then the year previous and 2-3 years before that.</p>
<p>UNC is approx. 60% women, 40% men, so he might get a mini boost there. Leading programs in business, journalism and public health. In general tough for an OOS admit for the bright well rounded types...</p>
<p>Thanks for the information. I have to admit it sounds pretty gloomy for my young friend! I'm hoping he doesn't read this thread in the next couple of days while we are polishing his app! It seems like the successful applicants are hyper-successful in EVERYTHING, leaving no room for the above-average-1400-SAT-NM-commended-kid-who'll-be-a-great-contributor-to-any- university, but is not super-human! (Sorry, I didn't plan to break into such a rant!)</p>
<p>Does anybody have an insight as to why some schools seem to do well with UNC admits, while others never seem to have any luck. Guess common sense dictates that when one admit from a given h.s. does well, the admissions office is more likely to give the nod to the next graduate from that school. I suppose it's not all that different from getting into the Ivies, etc. But this high school has a great reputation and sends several grads to a number of Ivy League schools every year---but not to Chapel Hill. ...How does one break into that cycle? Thanks!</p>
<p>My son wanted to apply to UNC last year (OOS) but we were scared off. We tried UVA instead since he liked the campus a bit more (just as hard though I think). He was deferred then rejected. Tough for a almost 1500 NMF with a 3.9 GPA, 8 APs with mostly 5s, Eagle Scout and captain of his varsity sport at a VERY competitive suburban high school! Our high school has a "not so great" record for admissions but a couple get into UNC or UVA each year. That's on top of the 25 or so kids who get into Ivies. Good luck to your friend - it's always worth a shot! Spend a lot of time on the essays and get creative - they may make the difference.</p>
<p>My d is a freshman at UNC-CH and she was offered their Honors Program and a small scholarship. (She applied regular notification and rec'd a likely letter.)</p>
<p>She did have good SATs (2250 range) and was a NMF, but her rank was not all that. (APs and Honors receive no weighting, so ranking was not very meaningful at her school.) But she took the hardest possible courses (Senior Year: AP Calc BC, AP Chem, Honors Anatomy and Physiology, AP English Lit, AP Econ, AP Gov't, Yearbook, etc...) and did very well, virtually all As her last three years of high school. </p>
<p>Her ecs were pretty diverse...everything from cheerleading to student government to editorship of the yearbook...and she won a few state and national level awards in academic contests. In addition to school cheerleading, she was a competitive cheerleader and had won several national championships. She had several hundred hours of community service as well. During the summers, she worked two jobs and volunteered at a hospital and as a Ropes high course counselor. But I have to imagine an Eagle Scout would more than impress in this area. </p>
<p>Realistically, I think two things helped my d. She is half Hispanic and was a National Hispanic Scholar in addition to NMF, and that helped. But she is also a wonderful writer, and her essays were very good. I think those essays sealed the deal more than anything else. (They were good enough for her Harvard interviewer to offer to show to publishers.) I have heard from those in the know that essays are crucial for the oos candidates at UNC-CH. </p>
<p>So I would encourage your young friend to focus on the essay. It's his one chance to distinguish himself from every other highly qualified candidate. He has everything else. </p>
<p>My d was the first from her h.s. and district to attend Chapel Hill, so the cycle can be broken.</p>
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So I would encourage your young friend to focus on the essay. It's his one chance to distinguish himself from every other highly qualified candidate. He has everything else.
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<p>That is the only thing I can think of to make him stand out as long as his stats are in range for oos applicants....see ldmom's post for what carolina is looking for stats-wise. Has he visited the campus and sat in on an info session with an admissions counselor?</p>