Hi everybody.
I got my first rejection letter today, and now I’m scared.
What do you guys think are my chances for UNC Chapel Hill?
International
GPA: 3.7 (This is due to 9th and 10th grade. My 12th grade midyear gpa was 3.82)
SAT score: 1200 (640 R&W, 550 Math)
IB Diploma (English A: Lang&Lit HL, Spanish A: Lang&Lit HL, History of the Americas HL, Biology SL, Math SL, Business SL, EE, TOK, CAS.
MUN, NHS, internships, volunteer in diverse organizations
Thanks
You may be able to get an idea of where you place relative to recently enrolled students by looking at the UNC-CH Common Data Set, here: https://oira.unc.edu/files/2017/07/cds_2016_2017_20170411.pdf. Part C9 of the CDS gives the median 50% for both SAT and ACT scores, as well as the percentage of the entering first-year class falling within certain ranges of SAT and ACT scores; Part C11 gives the percentage of entering first-year students falling within a range of unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale, and Part C12 gives the average high school GPA of first-year applicants.
The CDS also tells you, under Part C7, that standardized test scores, application essay(s), letter(s) of recommendation, and the rigor of your high school record are “very important” academic factors considered for freshman admission, whereas GPA and class rank are “important” academic factors considered for freshman admission. Extracurricular activities, talent, and character/personal qualities are considered as “very important” non-academic factors.
Your SAT score is around the 25% percentile, which is pretty low in a “very important” admissions factor; and your GPA (presumably unweighted, on a 4.0 scale) is also a bit low.
If you are awaiting a decision as a RD applicant, your competition for the remaining slots is going to be rather tough. Unless you have amazing essays and LORs, or you bring something outstanding to the table by way of ECs or personal characteristics, your chances for admission are not at all good, in my opinion.
That SAT score and GPA will do you in unless you have STELLAR LOR’s and recs. Let me ask what is your gender and ethnicity? And are you in-state or OOS? Those things might give you a small boost.
Hispanic/Latino. Dominican Republic
@vavava2000 That definitely should help a bit. Your scores fall in the lower percentile, but if your Essays and LORs really shine I think you have a shot!! Good luck.