Cost Constraints / Budget No more than 50k per year most likely
Intended Major(s): Biology
GPA, Rank, and Test Scores
Unweighted HS GPA: 4.0
Weighted HS GPA: 5.1 (AP/DE are +0.2, Honors +0.1)
Class Rank: 15/503
ACT/SAT Scores: 1450
HS coursework (Currently a Junior)
English: Honors 9th and 10th, AP Lang
Math: Honors Alg II, Honors Precalc, AP Calc AB
Science: Honors Bio, Honors Chem, Honors Physics, AP Chem
History and social studies: Academic History 9th, AP European History, AP Microeconomics
Language other than English: Honors Spanish I, II; DE Spanish III
Extracurriculars
Varsity hockey on a conference championship winning and eastern pa tournament qualifying team, member of my school’s math team, over 120 hours of community service, school level NHS program, treasurer of a nonprofit organization aimed at helping children and young adults, a cofounder of my school’s chemistry club, doing volunteer tutoring for my school, and a part time job for 7 months.
I’m not entirely sure about costs yet. I haven’t talked much with my parents about it. For now I’m just worried about my chances, but I’ll do that in the future
If you get only a .1 and .2 lift on Honors and AP/DE, how can you go from a 4.0 to 5.1?
UNC will be tough.
Miami may depend on or financial situation. Are you near full pay?
It’s also a reach but more reasonable.
You’ll know soon enough.
I’m guessing no to both but Miami wouldn’t surprise with a yes, especially if full pay. But therein lies the rub, if you are full pay, you won’t get to $50k. Not close. Same at UNC by the way unless you are determined to have need. You won’t get close.
I assume you have assured and affordable schools on your list. I hope so if not, there’s still time.
the time to figure out about cost was before you applied, not now. Have that chat now so you can ensure affordable schools are applied to. Even Pitt and Penn State cost more than many OOS publics for you.
Ok. Find the budget. UNC is well over $50k. With your stats, Alabama will be $28k off as an alternative flagship still taking apps. That puts you about $22k all in. Ms State and Ole Miss would be similar. In the Carolinas, W Carolina is $20k.
A lot of kids want perceived prestigious names but can’t afford them. But a school like Bama, while an easy in, is loaded with studs. Why ? They buy the smart ones like you.
Cheaper for you would have been U of SC, FSU, etc. but it’s too late for those.
You built a list without a formal budget. Oftentimes, if the budget is limited, that becomes tragic.
But for a bio degree, I’d argue a flagship is a flagship.
Talk to your folks and report back and we can help if needed.
UNC is going to be tough (7-8% OOS admit rate) and expensive ($70k/year and rising). Your test score (if you submit) will be low for OOS applicants. Your GPA is competitive and your extracurriculars are likely on par with others applying, though you’ll need to make sure your essays say something unique about you.