Hey guys, I am wondering if my GPA will significantly hurt my chances at the schools I’m applying to. My EC’s are good from what I hear (started own cancer research fundraising charity, captain of state championship winning swim/dive team, running for NHS president, cross country, ambassador for my school, BETA club, working as a coach for a country club’s dive team this summer, organ donation awareness club) and I am anticipating a high SAT score of about 2100 soon because I’ve been studying very hard. However, my GPA isn’t great. My UW GPA after this semester is probably going to be a 3.6 and my weighted about a 4.48. I’m in the top 22% of my class and there’s a downward trend in GPA due to increased course load, especially in my junior year. However, I probably finish this year with B’s in four AP classes (APES, APUSH, Statistics, Psych) and one honors (Pre-Calc). Also, the fact that my high school is the best high school in my state should also put my GPA into context. The importance placed on grades here is ludicrous. For example, I overheard someone talking about how they were punished by their parents for getting a 92 on a test in a very hard class. Anyways, the main school I want to get into is UNC-Chapel Hill, which I am applying early-action to as an in-state student. I’m really afraid I won’t get in. UNC-Chapel Hill has been my dream school since the sixth grade. How will they look at GPA? Is the downward trend a deal breaker? Is a 3.6 UW and 4.48 “good enough” for schools like Carolina? Please help me out… Btw, I’m a white, male junior from NC.
NOTE: I wasn’t sure whether to put this in the chance forum or the admissions forum so, if you’re a moderator, please move it where you think it the most appropriate.