///Applying to UIUC...any chance?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign
1

<p>GPA: (Have no idea...)
UW GPA: 3.318
Class Rank: Top 48% (Very Competitive) </p>

<p>Test Scores: </p>

<p>ACT: 22 Composite (20E, 25M, 20R, 25S), Writing 10/12 <----I'm really bad at taking admission tests, this hurts me the most!
SAT: (Will be taking it October...then applying right away after I receive my score, just in time before Early Action ends.) <----Hopefully I can do really well on this test...</p>

<p>//AP Courses and Honors Courses that I've taken or will be taking: </p>

<p>Fresh: Ancient Civ Honors, Geometry Honors, Honors Biology
Soph: Adv. Alg 2 w/ Trig Honors, Chem Honors, 19/20th World Honors
Junior: AP Language and Comp, Honors Pre-Calc, Honors Physics, Honors Spanish III
Senior Year: AP CALC BC, AP CHEM, AP COMPUTER SCIENCE, Honors Spanish IV, Honors Economics, Honors Modern World History, Honors World Lit</p>

<p>EC's:</p>

<p>-Worked for a restaurant for almost two years while doing sports!
-Served as an Election Judge for the November 2008 Presidential Election
-Currently working for a business web development company
-Part of the National Honor Society of High School Scholars
-Freshman Football (I know lame, right?)
-Cross Country for 3 years (including Senior)
-Track and Field all 4 years
-Volunteered for the Salvation Army last winter...</p>

<p>Essay:</p>

<p>I absolutely KNOW that I can write a very personal and creative essay for the admission process for UIUC!</p>

<p>Finally, I'm not sure if I can get into this school or not, this is my first choice.</p>

<p>Other schools I'm considering:</p>

<p>-University of Illinois at Chicago
-University of Wisconsin-Madison
-University of Minnesota
-Northern Illinois University</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>I’m sure you’ve looked at the university’s statistics on it’s website – only 5% have an ACT 22 or below and only 0.3% are below the top 50% (I know that you’re at 48% but it’s fairly close). These two are by far the most important measures used by the university for decisions as this is a large state school that received thousands of applications.</p>

<p>You likely already know that your chances are very slim unless you do very well on the upcoming SAT. You can’t negate that class rank but a reasonably high score (at least 1800+, preferably higher than the university’s average of ~1950-2000) should at least put doubt in their mind so that they will look at your essay more carefully rather than dismissing the application for lack of good numbers. Also have you considered taking the ACT again if possible?</p>

3

<p>Thanks for the input GShine. </p>

<p>Well, here’s the deal, I have taken the ACT four times, and have gotten the same score EVERY TIME. So it’s pointless if I even attempt to take it again. I studied hard, and invested so much time into preparing myself for the ACT. By the time I graduate my high school, my rank will be much lower, but will it even matter? I will be at the top 25% in rank, once I graduate…but I know I have a slim chance (unless I do well on the SAT, as you said). I’m probably going to apply for DGS, but what I really want to do is to do something in engineering. </p>

<p>Do they actually disregard your application if you have low test scores, such as a 22 on the ACT, and by having strong EC’s, rigorous schedules, etc.? I’m not sure if I can get it in, but I will try my hardest.</p>

4

<p>To be honest, I don’t think your chances are very well at all. I usually like to tell people that they have a good chance of getting in, but I can’t lie. UIUC is a top school and it is hard to get into (I am also applying there). Try your best to make yourself look impressive, but it is going to be tough. You might be able to get in, but you are going to have to work hard.</p>

5

<p>A few years ago, ACT/SAT and class rank were of absolutely overwhelming importance to decisions – to the point that it was rumored that the university “auto-admitted” certain applications (i.e. those well above the 75th percentile for college they’re applying to). I’m not sure if that was true then and anyway it seems that the admissions decisions these days are more holistic. Nevertheless it still stands that this is a large state school that cares about numbers. Essays and ECs are only emphasized in the case of borderline applications (except perhaps in the College of Business’s decisions). Key point: you still have to be considered borderline. A low class rank or a low ACT alone won’t kill your chances but if both are low, that might be enough. ECs and, rigorous schedules, competitive high school, etc. help, but only to a certain (rather small) extent at a school like this.</p>

<p>You’ll always hear a few miracle stories, but by and large, applicants at 22 & 48% are probably rejected. Do well on your SATs but your case for admission on the basis of academic achievement is going to be weak due to the class rank. In your essays you should emphasize life experiences, unusual circumstances, unusual achievements, minority/multiracial status (if applicable and only subtly), and whatever else that might make you attractive to the university for purposes of having unique characters and diversity. Good luck.</p>

6

<p>^^Thanks for the advice and guidance! I will take those tidbits of information to account!</p>