<p>On UNC’s admissions blog under “FAQ’s for admitted students,” Yolanda comments to a student: “While decisions are available online, the official letters have not actually been sent yet. They will be mailed by the end of this week. Sorry about that.”</p>
<p>I have applied Early Action to UNC-Chapel Hill, and I’m trying to make up my mind whether we are a good fit. First, I am OOS. My SAT scores are 670 Reading, 660 Math and 630 Writing. I have a 3.7 unweighted GPA with over a 4.0 weighted. I have taken 11 AP classes. I have volunteered with needy/challenged children for the past 3 years, and I have held a job as a ski instructor for the past 3 years. I hold dual citizenship (D), and I am fluent in German, and conversational in Spanish. First, what are my chances? Second, other than a judicial mandate that UNC accept no more than 18%
OOS, I don’t quite understand UNC’s admission policies. Is it a healthy environment to have OOS “scholars” with IS students whose grades are mediocre? Do OOS form clicks? Are OOS generally accepted into the mostly IS social scene? Why would I select UNC over say Boston College or University of Miami?</p>
<p>It is VERY difficult to get into UNC as an OOS. The IS candidates are the cream of NCs crop so nothing to sneeze about academically, but there is a feeling/culture of in state v out of state. Your stats are good but probably not strong enough to get you in. It depends on the app reader and whatever intangibles you might have to offer. UM is a good school but large and easy to get distracted by the social scene with so much going on. BC is a good school. IT really depends on what kind of experience will fit you best-what do you WANT in a school? Urban or rural setting? Metropolitan culture of more homogenous? To be lost in the crowd as a number or recognized for who you are? Great internship and career networking? Access to outdoor activities such as skiing? Would you be interested in living in that region after you graduate?
Good luck to you on finding what you want.</p>
<p>Thank you for the quick response. While I am a hard working student, if I could be distracted, skiing big mountains could be the culprit. Besides, other than Utah’s honors college, I would not consider anything close to home. I guess that I will be happy to ski over winter recess, spring break, and maybe another weekend or two during the winter. In a perfect world, I would like to study at a medium or large research university, in a metropolitan setting, that offers excellent cultural opportunities. Thus far, I have been accepted to UVM. In addition to the three or four schools mentioned, I am seriously considering NYU and a couple NESCAC schools.</p>
<p>WasatchSk1er (good screen name, btw), don’t assume that the in-state kids have mediocre grades or are subpar students academically. Most have stats similar to yours. 78% of incoming students were in the top 10% in their H.S. class and 43% were in the top 10 students. Over 91% have weighted GPAs over 4.0 and a rule of thumb would be over 4.5 to be competitive, in-state.</p>
<p>For the fall 2013 incoming class, the 25th percentile score on SAT was 1,780 and the 75th percentile was 2,110 and the average score was around 1,940. Out of state students that enrolled have an average SAT score of 2,010, definitely higher but not in a totally different league (Ivy, e.g.). ACT range was 28-32 with an average of 29.9. </p>
<p>The issue with OOS applications lies in the numbers. Over 20K apply, offers of acceptance are approximately 3K and about 700 enroll. Naturally, very high quality students are accepted but they also have many other stellar opportunities.</p>
<p>OOS students appear to fit in very well at UNC. My daughter has many OOS friends who love the school and the opportunities it offers. Also, she is performing well above average academically, even though she had “average” stats upon entry. Chapel Hill is certainly different from Miami or BC. It is an idyllic college town, southern in flavor, liberal in views (for the south, anyway) and quite charming. Just as “dowzerw” mentioned, there are many things to consider in addition to just the quality and rigor of the academics. Best of luck in your hunt for the place that best fits you.</p>
<p>UVM is def a different flavor than NYU! Lots of good NESCAC schools out there. Good for you for keeping your eyes open and not getting too tied to anywhere. Getting into colleges is so unpredictable anymore and there is so much competition for the strongest programs. Our experiences have definitely been that schools choose students well qualified AND applicants who are able to demonstrate why the school is right for them and why they are right for the school. Have you thought about Fordham?</p>
<p>Not really. While the law school is in Manhattan, I think that undergrad is in the Bronx. Although, I like the Jesuit philosophy, I would never study in the Bronx (No offense. Just not for me). UVM and UMASS-Amherst are my safety schools. I think that Burlington is a very cool small city, and close to Stowe, Smuggs, and Jay Peak. Also, I have a good shot of getting into the Honors College. I’m very happy that I have been accepted already, as it takes a lot of pressure off. I would be happy to go there. U. of M., NYU, B.C. and NEU are the schools that I consider obtainable. I like Miami, NY and Boston, and I consider all to be great schools. I love that B.C. is Jesuit, and I equally am impressed by NYU’s international reach. MIDD, Wesleyan, Duke and UNC are reach schools. Honestly, although there is absolutely no social benefits to either of the NESCAC schools, it would be tough to turn either down. Moreover, I have very strong language skills and an expectation that I will study one year in Germany, and this may be attractive to MIDD. UNC and Duke…I’m just not sure…</p>