Chance me: UNC Chapel Hill (in-state) 3.9/4.4, Future Psych Student [<$12k]

Demographics

  • US citizen
  • NC Resident
  • Normal public high school + community college (dual enrollment)
  • First generation (biologically)

Cost Constraints / Budget
12K yearly budget. Planning to live off campus

Intended Major(s) Psychology

GPA, Rank, and Test Scores

  • Unweighted HS GPA: 3.9
  • Weighted HS GPA: 4.4/5
  • College GPA: 3.8
  • Class Rank: 28/280 , Top 10%
  • ACT/SAT Scores: N/A

List your HS coursework

(Indicate advanced level, such as AP, IB, AICE, A-level, or college, courses as well as specifics in each subject)

  • English: English 9 Honors, English 10, ENG111, ENG112, ENG231, ENG241
  • Math: NC Math 1, NC Math 2 Honors, NC Math 3 Honors, MAT143
  • Science: Biology, Chemistry Honors, Earth Science Honors, BIO111, BIO112
  • History and social studies: AP Human Geography, World History, American History, Civic Literacy Honors, Economics and Personal Finance Honors, PSY150, SOC210, HIS111
  • Language other than English: Korean I, Korean II, ASL111, ASL112
  • Visual or performing arts: Visual/Beginners Arts 1, ART111
  • Other academic courses: AP Com Sci Principles, Counseling & Mental Health I, Counseling & Mental Health II, COM231

Awards

GoTriangle HR Internship: Star Award

Extracurriculars
Founder, ######## Society — Created HS psychology/mental health org to empower students through resources, mentorship, and peer support.

Co-Founder & Co-President, Mind4Youth Chapter — Led school chapter promoting youth mental health; organized events, advocacy, and outreach.

Research Intern, UNC Ishtar — Conducted research under faculty mentorship; supported projects in psychology and youth health.

HR Intern, GoTriangle (STAR Award) — Managed HR tasks, improved workplace processes; awarded STAR for excellence.

Board Member, Active Minds HS Advisory — Advised national org on student mental health needs and high school engagement.

Board Member, GlowMedia Project — Provided youth input on mental health awareness campaigns and digital content.

Youth Forum Moderator, City Council Election — Moderated local election forum to elevate youth voices in civic engagement.

Editorial Intern, Mind4Youth — Wrote and edited mental health articles; contributed to youth-centered editorial projects.

Student Ambassador, Emily K Center GPF — Mentored peers, promoted college readiness, represented youth perspectives.

Student Ambassador, Wellness Center — Supported school doctor’s office; promoted wellness resources to students.

Volunteering

UNC Medical Center (40 hrs) — Assisted with patient support and hospital volunteer duties.

Duke Medical Center (40–80 hrs) — Volunteered in hospital departments; supported staff and patients.

Mind4Youth Volunteer (20 hrs) — Helped coordinate youth mental health initiatives.

Duke Youth Symposium (14 hrs) — Participated in healthcare careers symposium; engaged in service activities.

Elevation Church eKidz (72 hrs) — Led children’s programs, mentoring, and activities.

Red Cross Club (16 hrs) — Supported blood drives and service events.

Essays/LORs/Other
N/A

Schools
Only UNC.

I can’t tell what your math is - Quantitative Literacy ? Are you at Calc ? Or lower ? Stats? How high did you get in hs ?

Less and less get in TO so that’s a concern but you seem solid, pending math level.

Quantitative literacy. I just am waiting to do exams, so I won’t do TO but yes. thank you

Where does this rank with Pre Calc or Calc or Stats? It seems lower but I’m not sure.

Can you define? That would be a hurdle if lower.

Looks like NC community college courses can be looked up at Combined Course Library - NCCCS

As described there, MAT143 seems to be a low level general education math course, not precalculus or calculus.

1 Like

This is my worry - do they meet this? On paper, they sound great but the math stood out as an issue, I think - OP, can you align what you’ve done with what is listed below?

  • 4 units of English emphasizing grammar, composition and literature

  • 4 units of college preparatory mathematics, in any of the following combinations:

    • algebra I and II, geometry, and one unit beyond algebra II,

    • algebra I and II, two units beyond algebra II, or

    • integrated math I, II and II, and one unit beyond integrated math III.

    • The course(s) beyond algebra II or integrated math III must be comparable to one of the courses listed below or approved by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

      • AP Calculus

      • AP Statistics

      • Pre-Calculus

      • Discrete Mathematics

      • IB Mathematics Level II

      • Integrated Mathematics IV

      • Advanced Functions and Modeling

      • Essentials for College Math

  • 3 units in science

    • one in a life or biological science (example: biology)

    • one in a physical science (example: physical science, chemistry, physics)

    • one laboratory course

  • 2 units of social science

    • one in United States history
  • 2 additional units of English, mathematics, science, social studies, world languages, or computer science

It aligns with Pre-Calc and College Algebra.

The math aligns with “Essentials for College Math.”

If it is really an issue, should I take MAT171 additionally? It’s college statistics… I do not want any issues with my credits. However, the reason for my MAT143 is solely to fulfill both my Associate in Arts math requirement + my high school senior requirement.

You seem like a competitive applicant (pending test scores). Lots of the kind of EC’s that UNC likes (some look like you had leadership roles - highlight those). Perhaps a little light on the tougher AP’s (AP Calc, APUSH, AP Bio, AP Chem, AP English Language & Comp). Did I miss - are you a junior? Will you be taking any more AP’s? I think they will like your dedication to health sciences (via your EC’s) and that you want to pursue that career path.

How many students from your HS typically get into UNC each year? You’re essentially competing against the 27 students who rank above you (assuming they also apply to UNC). I think you have some compelling aspects to you resume that make you a competitive applicant but as you may know, being from Wake County (I’m assuming you are) is especially competitive. Make sure you get great LOR’s and nail your essays!

Not certain what this means for first generation?

2 Likes

Be aware that UNC has an FC-QUANT graduation requirement shown at Quantitative Reasoning < University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill . The UNC psychology BA major requires a second FC-QUANT course not used for any other requirement, while the UNC psychology BS major requires calculus. Be sure that the math you complete in high school at least makes you ready to take these courses in college, if it does not already fulfill them.

Transfer credit for your college courses can be looked up at Course Transfer Search

I have only taken two AP’s - APCSP & APHUG. All the courses you see are done via Dual Enrollment at my community college. I am a junior and will be taking more dual enrollment credits, and plan to get my associates by my hs graduation. Around 2-3 people get into UNC each year at my school. Essentially, people at my school are not extracurricular prioritizing, and often pursue sports and go end up doing transfer pathways. I am actually from Durham County! Wake county is great though! The 27 students who rank above me are smart, but I know they are not very involved.

1 Like

I also plan on taking MAT171 (Precalc Algebra) and MAT172 (Precalc Trig)

I’ve researched, and I am technically a first-generation student; my biological father and mother have not received a bachelor’s degree. However, my stepfather is a Duke alumnus.

1 Like

Perfect, you worded it a little differently than normal, so just double checking. You are a great candidate, please take some time to prepare for the ACT or SAT strong scores will make you a stronger candidate for UNC. Good luck and keep being awesome.

2 Likes

Just to note that UNC-CH has a substantially higher acceptance rate for instate applicants (38%) than it does for out of state applicants (7%).

2 Likes

I will share with you that I worked with a student last year who looked very similar to you as far as lots of great EC’s and wanting to enter a health-related field. This student participated in an Early College program and also got their associates degree. This student was admitted to UNC and is there now. I got coffee with them over the summer to catch up and see how they were doing and was not entirely surprised to hear that they were struggling with the math and science at UNC. These courses in particular are very difficult at UNC, and if they are required for your major, certain grades must be obtained in order to move forward. I tell you this because I think you are a great candidate and if you get accepted, I want you to be ready for it.

2 Likes

Thank you so much for your support! I will take you, and everybody else’s considerations and suggestions. I really want to get into UNC, so this helps me so much, please wish me luck. Thank you, seriously! I hope that the student is doing well and progressing nicely!

1 Like

Good luck to you. Like all, have a back up plan but short of the quant rigor, you seem a very strong student. I will keep happy thoughts for you.

1 Like