<p>I am a white female in an incredibly rural part of NC.</p>
<p>-4.0 GPA (unweighted)
-1710 SAT (520M, 580CR, 610R) (may retake)
-likely to be valedictorian/salutatorian
-Dual-enrollment in a local CC, with 9 credit hours so far. Planning to add around 22 hours this year.
My school offers no honors or AP classes.</p>
<p>Extracurricular/Honors/Volunteering
-Local award for highest GPA in History Class (11th)
-Yearbook Staff (11th)
-Prom Committee (11th)
-Volunteer at several community outreach events (easter egg hunts, halloween events, fundraising for county's emergency fund)</p>
<p>My school is not so great, to say the least. Unless you play sports, there are no ECs or clubs offered. Volunteering opporunities are pretty slim in my area, as well.
I know my chances are pretty low as is, but is there something I can do to improve? Do they take into consideration the lack of opportunities I have to do AP classes or volunteer? Should I just go to a university that I know I can get into (like ECU) for my freshman year and then apply?</p>
<p>I plan to talk to my principal at the beginning of the year about starting a volunteer club or something of the sort. I'd like to collect food for local food banks, books for our school library and a local family shelter, etc.</p>
<p>@serverguy Yeah, I was fairly certain that my SAT was too low. I’m certain that if I study I can bring up my CR and writing but I’m not sure about math.
I’ve also been told that the ACT would be “easier” for me because I go to a small, private school. I’m planning to take that in the fall and actually study for it (which I didn’t do for my SAT, oops!).
Thank you!</p>
<p>You’ll get in. 5/8 people who were admitted to UNC from my school had SAT scores of >1800. One is even a Chancellors Science Scholar, and was ranked 13/150 in our class. Our valedictorian was admitted to UNC with an SAT in the 1600s. If you’re in-state, UNC cares a lot less about your test scores–they’re so inflated because of all the OOS students who must have near perfect scores to be admitted. Only one person at my school that was admitted to UNC had an ACT or SAT above 30 or 2000. </p>
<p>I come from a school that is very similar to yours as far as extracurriculars and APs (we have 4 AP Classes). UNC will definitely take into account your lack of opportunities, as all colleges have a school report that tells them about what your school offers. Also, your counselor recommendation will shine a light on how you utilized what was offered to you. Regardless though, being 1st or 2nd in your class will play a major role in your acceptance.</p>
<p>Also, smart choice with the dual enrollment. I substituted CC credits in place of my school’s lack of APs and am entering UNC with 35 credit hours. </p>
<p>@annazee13 Awesome post, thank you! I’m close to my counselor and he’s ecstatic to write my rec letter so I’m certain it’ll be outstanding. I’m going to take the ACT and try to make a bit of a better score than my SAT, but I’m more focused on my grades in school and my college classes at the moment. I’m glad they take into consideration the lack of opportunity that some have. I’m the only one in my high school that has a high enough SAT score to even be dual enrolled at my local CC, so I’m hoping that might be a bit impressive.
Thank you! And cute cat! </p>
<p>I would definitely retake the SATs and score higher if you can. But, to directly quote the Dean of Honors Carolina: “The only thing SAT scores can predict is your zip code.”</p>
<p>You’ve done quite well for yourself, making the most of the opportunities available to you. I think that means more than test scores at Carolina. Yes, if you raised your scores and/or did particularly well on the ACT it might boost your confidence, but I still think you have an excellent chance. Do well on your essays! :-)</p>