<p>Not to long from now, I will be an in-state applicant to UNC-Chapel Hill for the Fall 2011 semester. I was wondering if anyone could give me a reasonable estimate of what amount of merit aid I am likely to receive (if any). </p>
<p>The following is some basic information about me:</p>
<p>9th out of a class of 70 (or 69 I can't remember).</p>
<p>GPA Unweighted/Weighted 4.28/3.56</p>
<p>SAT I (CR/M/W) 710/610/610</p>
<p>Will be taking the AP Exam in Literature this May. My school does not have an AP program, so I will be challenging the test at a nearby school.</p>
<p>I attend an early college high school here in NC which attracted a lot of the good students who would've gone to the traditional schools otherwise. Our demographic is much different than other schools; the top 20 students or so would've been in the top 20 students of their normal high schools which each have 200+ students if that makes any sense.</p>
<p>I currently serve as the president of my school's Interact Club, a community service based group sponsored by Rotary.</p>
<p>When I graduate in the Spring of '11, I will have two years worth of college credit (an Associate's Degree if that turns out to be most beneficial).</p>
<p>I also plan to take 1-2 SAT II Subject Tests in the Fall. </p>
<p>So, does anyone think they can help me out with an estimate of some sort? Any tips, advice, etc. would also be appreciated. I'm overwhelmed with the prospect of financing my college education.</p>
<p>Is it more difficult for OOS to get aid, after being accepted?
Because I have 4.68 W/3.92 UW; 790 M/800 CR/770 W SAT; 720/770/780 on 3 SAT IIs; 27th out of class of 701; tons of ECs and good recs…and absolutely no offer of merit aid. Not to be a Debbie Downer, just relating my (slightly embittered) personal experiences</p>
<p>Chances of you getting scholarships are pretty much 0. With your stats you would be a reach for UNC. If you do get in UNC is one of two state schools that meets 100% of demonstrated need.</p>
<p>While I do appreciate your realism, I don’t think my chances of getting into UNC are that poor. The guy directly beneath me in class rank is graduating early, and he was accepted. Also, those are the results of one try on the SAT I, and that is not quite the GPA I will be applying with. I’ve shown a .2 positive trend in my unweighted GPA over the past few semesters. Understandably, this trend is less likely to progress as strongly given the increasing total of classes I’ve taken. Thus, if I apply in the Winter, I feel I am likely to have at least a 4.5 and possibly a 3.7 weighted.</p>
<p>To be a strong applicant for merit $$, you can’t have average stats for the school…otherwise everyone would qualify for merit $$. The best chances for good merit money is to be in the higher end of the upper 25% (so, roughly in the top 10% of their freshmen class.) Right now, your math is too low (lower 25%), your CR is good, and your Writing is in the lower end of the mid 50s.</p>
<p>If you NEED a lot of merit $$ in order to afford college, you have only a few choices…</p>
<p>1) Significantly raise your test scores (take the ACT, too). (But, if UNC-CH gives few big awards, then your chances for merit are low, even with higher scores)</p>
<p>2) Find merit schools where your stats are in the upper 10%.</p>
<p>*The guy directly beneath me in class rank is graduating early, and he was accepted. *</p>
<p>Someone who is ranked right below you would likely have a GPA just under a 4.68 W/3.92 UW. So, a very good GPA…however, his test scores may be significantly higher than yours. That could make a difference, so you can’t assume that just because someone with a slightly lower GPA got in, then you should get in. </p>
<p>If his composite test score was just 100-150 points higher than yours, that could have made a big difference. But, as you said, you’ve only taken the SAT once, so you may do better. While even minor increases in GPA are good, in your case, you’d better your chances of acceptance by working on improving your test scores. :)</p>
<p>But, that said, if you need merit $$ to afford college, than UNC-CH really can’t be your only choice. You need to develop a list of schools that you LIKE and will assuredly award you some merit $$. </p>
<p>What are you doing to improve your test scores?</p>
<p>My reading score was actually 730, and I mistakenly typed 710. So, at the moment, I’m taking a few practice SATs from the CollegeBoard text. I do believe my math score was so low due to a slight bit of panic. Also, the guy below me in class rank had a lower SAT score.</p>
<p>**When I graduate in the Spring of '11, I will have two years worth of college credit (an Associate’s Degree if that turns out to be most beneficial).
**</p>
<p>Since you are in a special early college school, I think you need to investigate whether there are any agreements in place between the school that will grant you the AA degree and UNC.</p>
<p>Sometimes there are agreements between community colleges and 4-year state schools where the 4-year school has to take you if you have an AA and a certain GPA. I have no idea whether something like this would apply in your case, but it seems to me that you need to find this out.</p>
<p>Also, you need to find out whether any of your college credits earned at the “early college” school will transfer to UNC and whether you would be considered a Freshman applicant or a transfer student. I would think that the guidance department at your school could help you out with this or the admissions office at UNC.</p>
<p>All of these things could make a big difference in the cost at UNC. If you can shave a year or two off of the time to get your degree, that’s a big potential savings.</p>
<p>I do not think you will get any merit aid because they do not give much merit aid out. Both of my kids were admitted to Carolina with much lower SAT scores so I think you are OK with your scores. Their GPA’s and class rankings were higher, but your GPA is fine. I do believe since you are a early college student that will help you.</p>
<p>My D has been accepted to Chapel Hill and wants to go there. She was a Morehead nominee and got an interview but was not selected. Does anyone know if nominees are offered any other merit scholarships? Her SAT is 2270 and ACT 33 composite.</p>
<p>In theory yes she can get another merit scholarship, but if she wasn’t invited to either Scholarship Day (both of which already happened) then chances are slim. Sorry :(</p>