<p>I'm in the middle of my junior year of highschool.</p>
<p>I have about a 3.2 GPA, and a 25 on my ACT (first try, this will likely increase). I took only pretty academically challenging courses.</p>
<p>While some of my classmates opted for Wood Shop or Home Ec, I opted for AP History and AP physics.</p>
<p>Now, I want to apply to Ohio University, which I can almost certainly get into, but I'd like to get into their more selective Journalism program.</p>
<p>Which requires minimum of a 25 for an ACT or 1140 (Math+Verbal) SAT, and Top 15 % of graduating class.</p>
<p>Now, I'm not sure what my rank is at the moment, but I assume that a 3.2 doesn't put me in the Top 15 %.</p>
<p>My question is would a higher ACT help my chances? And, if worst came to worst, would I be able to go into OU as an undeclared major, pick up some credits, and then transfer to the program I am interested in?</p>
<p>Other questions:</p>
<p>Would AP credits help my chances?</p>
<p>My family is considered below the poverty line, and will likely need financial aid, would that have any effect on admissions?</p>
<p>And finally, will they take the rigor of my classes into consideration during the admissions process?</p>
<p>(This is all in-state.)</p>