<p>Hey everyone, just thought I'd throw this out there to help prepare myself for whatever decision I receive from the Hill by January. Chapel Hill is my dream school. Both of my parents went there and I've been cheering for Carolina Basketball since I could talk. I definitely don't have a really, really good chance of getting in, but I think I'm somewhere in the middle.</p>
<p>So here goes, please tell me what you think. Thanks!</p>
<p>In-State Student (Wilmington, NC)</p>
<p>White Male</p>
<p>Unweighted GPA: 3.57 (<em>wince</em> that rounds up to a 3.6, right?)
Weighted GPA: 4.44
Class Rank 83 of 418 (Barely in top 20% 19 to be exact) <==(This is where I'll lose out)
Full disclosure on class rank: I attend one of the top public high schools in the state (ranked #8 last year) so being in the top 10% is much more difficult than at other schools. It is rare for our Valedictorian/Salutatorian to ave less than a 5.0 weighted and not attend an Ivy. That being said, I certainly could have done better. </p>
<p>SAT:1 taken 1880: 750 Reading, 630, Math 500 (another place to lose out)</p>
<p>ACT: 2 taken, Superscore 31, highest composite 29: 35 reading, Science 32, English 29, Math 26 (All highest from separate tests)</p>
<p>AP Scores: AP European History 5, AP Government and Politics 5, AP US History 4</p>
<p>Extracurriculars/Jobs</p>
<p>-Eagle Scout, Involved with BSA all through High and Middle school. Multiple leaderships positions including Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Troop Guide, Patrol Leader. Also Order of the Arrow member and I took a trek to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico</p>
<p>-Marching/Symphonic Band all 4 years of high school. Elected Band Vice President for 2014-2015 school year. All County Band participant in 2013.</p>
<p>-Lifeguard at local country club for two seasons (goes through 10th, 11th, and 12th grades) working there this coming summer as well. </p>
<p>-Bagger at Harris Teeter (11th, 12th grades) and yes, at the same time as the pool. Likely won't be working there this coming summer. (its not a great job, but nice to have during the school year when the pool is closed)</p>
<p>-Church Youth Group; senior member of Youth Council (Student Council for Youth Group) also attended multiple events and trips, as well as provided community service.</p>
<p>-Current Events Club; Vice-President, helped found the club in 11th grade, appointed VP in 12th.</p>
<p>-Speech and Debate; Member of "Varsity" debate team, joined in 12th grade the year it was started. </p>
<p>-Guest Speaker on Local NPR station; read a "This I Believe" essay that was selected from hundreds of area submissions. Recording of me reading the essay was broadcast 3 times and posted on their website.</p>
<p>Awards</p>
<p>-Eagle Scout (just reiterating that one again cause I know its a biggie :) )</p>
<p>-Academic Letter, Star Pin, Lamp of Knowledge (given to students who had a weighted GPA of 4.0 or higher for the previous school year. Earned 10th, 11th, 12th grade. Basically all 4 years. WGPA has never been below 4.1)</p>
<p>-National Beta Club (My school starts in 11th grade so 11th, 12th)</p>
<p>-National Honors Society (My school starts in 12th grade so 12th)</p>
<p>Essays</p>
<p>-Both are semi-rushed, but I am told I am a good writer. I would say they are above average. Both tied into the question well. I would say the UNC essay is better than the Common App one.</p>
<p>Recommendations</p>
<p>-Counselor recommendation is sort of up in the air. He was new to the school for this year but I gave him a brag sheet and he said he would make a good rec.</p>
<p>-Teacher rec should be very good; from AP Gov teacher. Good relationship with her. We both like each other.</p>
<p>-I have a great rec from my Youth Director but I've gotten conflicting info on whether or not Carolina takes "other recommenders" do they?</p>
<p>Other</p>
<p>-I am a legacy student as both of my parents went to Chapel Hill. I know it doesn't mean as much in-state, but it can't hurt that they BOTH went to UNC and they were in band, something I intend to do there provided I get in.</p>
<p>So thoughts? I'm thinking best case deferred. I probably should've applied Regular Decision to bring my class rank/GPA up as my junior year was pretty rough (3 C's: Pre-cal, AP Chem year-round, 2 B's: H English III, German 2) That being said, my test scores are decent, ACT being the better of the two, and my reading scores are near perfect. Maybe Eagle Scout and band will help a lot more than I think it will? </p>
<p>If I don't get into Chapel Hill, I'll probably end up going into Appalachian State's Honors College or Elon. </p>
<p>Anyways, please leave your thoughts down below. And be honest! If you don't think I'll get in, tell me! I think I can handle it :'(</p>
<p>And if I left anything out, tell me that too!</p>