As of right now, UNC Chapel Hill is my goal for undergraduate education. I am a senior in high school with an SAT score of 1450 (690 math, 760 reading), a 31 ACT composite, an AP English Lang. Score of 5, an APUSH score of 5, and an AP Government and Politics score of 3. I am currently taking AP Calculus and AP Literature, and next semester I will be taking AP Environmental Science. I have had straight As for my entire high school career, and my weighted GPA is a 4.5 (approximately).
My grades are good, but I’m worried about my extracurriculars. I was in Beta Club Sophomore year, and did about ten hours of service. I did ten hours in Leo Club the following year, and although I was invited to NHS, I did not finish my application because I felt like I didn’t meet the requirements. I did join NHS this year, and between these three clubs I have done 50 or so hours of service. I also volunteer for 3 hours every Sunday morning at a drug rehabilitation center. I have been in Model UN and We The People for the last two years, and I competed at WorldQuest this year, although we came 9th or so out of 17 :(. I also worked at a pizza restaurant for 5 months before I put in my two weeks so I could focus on grades.
Honestly, my essays were pretty good. Writing and communication is a strong suit of mine. But the reason I am worried is that most of the stuff I’ve done was in the last two years. It may seem as though I’ve only popped up on the map as of my Sophomore or Junior year. Please note that I have already submitted my Early Action application to UNC Chapel Hill.
So… What are my chances of getting in? I would be happy to provide additional information if necessary, but based on experiences or personal opinions, do I have a shot. I’ve put a lot of eggs in this basket, and I’m a little stressed out right now(chuckles nervously). It may have something to do with the fact that the neighbors dog has been yapping nonstop for the last hour… I digress.
@Chanda21 - I’d say the Greater Charlotte area, or the RTP area, to be safe. But his class ranking is pretty high, he’ll probably get in. We’re in Meck, and last year, kids in my sons’ school with better stats and ECs than those in Union schools did not get in, but those un Union, did. Difference? Class rank. They were in the top 5th percentile at their Union county school, the same, or slightly better stats had them nowhere close to the top 10th at my sons’ school.
@Essel I think class rank is big factor as well. However, remember that this class of 2019 is the first class to graduate with a new GPA scale in NC. AP and honors weight was decreased so overall GPA for the class of 2019 are lower if you compare to the class of 2018. A 4.5 weighted for this year is probably more like a 4.9 at least from last year.
@HarrisDavis you have a very decent shot. But with UNC there are no guarantees. You’ve made it into the pile but now it comes down to whatever they are looking for to round out their class and probably some luck too. Good luck!
@Essel We’re in Meck also and I agree with you. Class rank is a huge factor at UNC. I do know of kids in our school who were ranked top 7% that did not get in while some URMs with a rank outside the top 10% did get in. That is for reference for those wondering about their chances.
@Tuxrd2 - You’re right. The weightage differential does make the weighted GPA numbers lower, but that would be the case across the board. Every student from every school will be on the same scale.
Yep I am also in Meck and know a top 5% kid and a top 7% kid who didn’t get in. Getting in from Meck or Wake is almost as tough as getting in from out of state (except I guess easier with SAT score).
The GC at my daughter’s school (private in NC) told us that last year they had 2 students WL with over 3.75 UW and 1350 SAT for the first time. They contacted AO at UNC and were told the reason was the students took 3 or less AP classes when there were many APs offered.
For perspective, in last year’s graduating class 35/54 students were accepted to UNC from a class of 100 Seniors…
@cavitee three or less total for 4 years? Or only 3 by early action application time?
UNC did a study that said 5 was their # -and beyond 5 AP classes demonstrated no additional predictor for success. Of course I’m sure admission loves to see more than 5. In fact our GC said 7-8.
@Cavitee my S18 had a 1350 and 6 APs and was denied last year. We’re in Meck county. I’m worried my D20’s 1400 won’t be enough. She will have 9 APs though and a higher gpa and class rank. It’s so tough in Meck. Only 27% of kids from our high school that apply get in.
43,473 applied
9,524 admitted (21.9% of all students applying; 41% of NC applicants; 13% of out-of-state applicants)
4,326 enrolled (45% of all students admitted; 61% of NC admits; 22% of out-of-state admits)
So overall, 9.95% of people who applied ultimately enrolled.
That’s interesting…in state yield is what must make the public schools so competitive - 61% overall from NC is extremely high.
My daughter’s school last year had 35 admits but only 11 attended, so higher than the OOS yield but half the in state yield.
In 2017, 40,918 applied. 9,709 were accepted. 4,355 enrolled. So, 44.9% of those accepted enrolled, or they admitted 2.23X the number of enrollees. Does that help? It’s on the CDS.