<p>So I visited UNC on Tuesday and completely fell in love! I didn’t expect that at all and now I’m in trouble because not many people from my state get in (I do not live in north Carolina). I guess I just wanted to know what I could do as someone from another state to give me a shot at it! I’m 13th in my class of about 300. An IB student with majority a’s and I’ve been very involved with my school through student government for the past three years and my schools varsity cheer team. Im a junior and my top two schools are Washington and lee and UNC (I know they’re very different!). But if anyone has any advice that might help me it would be much appreciated!</p>
<p>It’s a holistic process - so make sure to have great essays. Make sure to apply to a safety.</p>
<p>Definitely do something that stands out. I know everyone says that, but being the leader in a few extracurricular activities and getting good grades won’t separate you from the mass. What do you want to major in? Try to do something related to that over the summer- whether it be attending summer school at a college or some sort of internship/volunteer activity. For example, I went to Cornell’s summer program the summer after my junior year. I did very well in the two classes I took and I think colleges were impressed by that.</p>
<p>If that’s not possible for you, then what extracurricular are you involved with the most? Which one are you the most passionate about? Is there a special project you can take on during the summer/beginning of senior year? Another thing from my application that I think helped me stand out was the fact I got my high school to start recycling. When that turned out to be successful, a couple of friends and I took the idea to our school district and got all schools in my town to implement recycling programs. This was all during my junior/senior year.</p>
<p>So, to give you something better than “get good grades, write great essays, have good recommendations”, my advice is do something that matters. It doesn’t have to be large scale, but do something that’s important to you. Think outside the box. If you do, the letters of recommendations and your essays will write themselves. Your passion will show. UNC not only wants bright students, it wants students that want to make a difference and aren’t afraid to get out there, take risks, even try new things. You don’t have to know what you’re gonna do the rest of your life, but it’s good to show you have a passion for something and are committed to it.</p>
<p>Something to keep in mind when applying to any college (especially ‘reach’ type schools) is this: Nearly everyone in the applicant pool is smart. Nearly everyone was an above average performer in high school. Nearly everyone played some type of varsity sport or was involved with band or student council. Doing all that doesn’t separate you from the crowd, merely, it gives you the chance to be looked at. What colleges want to know is what YOU can do FOR them. The school already knows it has the resources to shape you into a well-educated, well-rounded individual that will hopefully go on and do great things. However, what is the benefit of taking you over that other kid with similar scores and extracurriculars? What have you shown, throughout your high school career (and most importantly, your last two years) that indicates you are not just a good student, but also someone who will be actively involved within the campus community and will work toward making the school a better place? Heck, what it really all boils down to, is they want to see that you have the potential to eventually graduate and go on to make the school proud.</p>
<p>It sounds obvious, and it really isn’t that hard; you just have to be a little creative and be willing to put in the time and effort.</p>
<p>okay! Thank you so much! I’ve been working with my churches youth minister and I’m hoping to start tutoring some kids at a local elementary school and help them learn how to read and things like that. Thanks for all your advice, I’m definitely going to try to do something like that!</p>
<p>I do think it’s important to follow your heart and do something you like. You will enjoy the process and devote your time to it cuz you have a passion. When you write the essays, your unique experience and personal feelings will make you stand out. As an admitted international student, I believe that good grades can not guarantee your acceptance …I don’t have good SATs. 
But I have participated in many activities and I didn’t give up even though it was so hard to have a perfect ending.<br>
Work hard and enjoy your junior year! Good luck.</p>
<p>UNC LOVES to see that you have done volunteer work. The more the better</p>