<p>Hey guys
So I'm currently a sophomore in NJ and my high school is one of the best in the state. My current GPA is a 3.58 and my grades have improved since last year. </p>
<p>Since Im going to be a junior next year, I was wondering how can I increase my chances of getting into UNC.</p>
<p>I was recommended for English AP next year and History Honors. Please help, UNC is my dream college</p>
<p>(I'm african american if that helps in any way???)</p>
<p>Thanks so much x</p>
<p>I don’t see your question. Regardless, as you’ve probably already heard, UNC is notoriously difficult to get into OOS. </p>
<pre><code> As a wise man once wished for it not to be about “the color of their skin, but the content of their character” you should take this to heart. While race is a factor, passions in whatever you’re into that bleed through your application are what really win over admission officers at UNC. As an in state-Hispanic, I was sought after, but with so many URM’s (and applicants in general) applying from OOS, you need to find your passion to stand out. Most OOS acceptances are for students with 75%+ percentile SAT/ACT kids, but keep in mind that having lower scores will not keep you out.
According to recent studies at UNC, there was no measurable difference after a student took 5 APs. However, try to make your schedule as rigorous as YOU, not everyone else, can handle. You’re a little early to the game to be obsessing over colleges. Come back in a year or so. Love your high school years and you’ll find your passion. Good luck in your future endeavors.
</code></pre>
<p>So you have three semesters to improve you grade, yes? That is probably the most important thing. And somewhere along the line, study and take SAT and ACT. You could do much better on one than the other. Most important, OOS schools are generally expensive. How much your family can pay? I don’t count on scholarship or oos tuition waver with your stats at UNC, to be perfectly honest.</p>
<p>I agree with the responses. Getting accepted to UNC as OOS is very difficult (about 15% acceptance rate). You have time to increase your GPA, and you will need great test scores. As an URM, realize that you will likely be compared to the entire pool of URM, so you will want to stand out in some way, perhaps by some unique EC activity or experience. Your supplemental essay to UNC will also be a great way to convey your interest in UNC, especially if you have researched the program you are applying to.</p>
<p>Two students (twins) from our school were accepted to UNC. I don’t know their stats other than they have a high GPA and high tests scores. They applied early admission and got to know the admission counselor. They also have a very unique EC.</p>
<p>We found out very late about UNC. My D applied regular admission and is still waiting. Her GPA and rank is similar to her friends but tests scores are a little lower. We never met the counselor and her EC is all local community based. </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>I don’t think it’s too early to seek advice. I wish we had an earlier start than waiting 'til Junior/Senior year to narrow down the list. Also most African Americans growing up in this country know being a URM is not an advantage. Our peers and even our guidance counselors tell us it is in the admissions process. Don’t fall for that. URM applicants with 3.5s at UNC are probably a dime a dozen. Stand out in something and communicate passionately in your essays. One thing I’ve gathered about the application process is that at a school like UNC, you don’t have to be great at everything, but you do have to be great at something. If your GPA or test scores don’t make you competitive, then do something amazing outside the classroom like cutting edge research, political campaigns, sports. Whatever your passion is. Good luck!</p>
<p>Congrats on getting an early start! You need the time to consider not only the academic but the financial side of the equation.</p>
<p>My D was admitted (OOS) with high stats and good extracurriculars. More important, she spent a lot of time on the essays. I think that was key because her strong viewpoint really came through.</p>
<p>The difficulty is OOS students receive little grant money. The FA package had a $3K grant and several thousands of dollars of loans. Chapel Hill was a top choice, but we threw it on the reject pile the day we got the FA offer.</p>
<p>If we had focused on UNC early, as you are doing, we might have happened upon the scholarships available via separate application. D was competitive for them. Unfortunately, we were in a mad scramble as D was applying to a few colleges early, as well as applying to their music schools/departments, and didn’t find the Robertson and other scholarships until it was too late to apply.</p>
<p>So I would look at UNC’s site, they refer to external scholarships. Look at the requirements and make applying for the scholarships part of your college application process. Unless money is no problem. Then I guess you can ignore my post!</p>