Below the Average Joe

<p>I'm a senior in high school and spring is fast approaching. My academic record has risen from sophomore yr but I have a low GPA: 3.66/5.0 and my ACT test score is low:19. I'm applying as a general student in LAS. What are my chances at UIUC and MSU(Michigan State Uni.)?</p>

<p>GPA:3.66/5.0
Rank:50/167
Ethnicity:Asian</p>

<p>Extracurricular Acitivities/Honors:Soccer and Track 2 yrs, COR(Catholics Opposing Rascism) 3 yrs, Band 3yrs (Vice President), Marching Band 2 yrs, All-Catholic Honors Band, volunteer work in schools Soup Kitchen Program, and a part job at Spherion Pampered Chef Convention.</p>

<p>bumpity bump</p>

<p>if you are a michigan resident i would say you are in at MSU</p>

<p>unfortunately i'm not :(</p>

<p>bumpity bump</p>

<p>Are these the only two schools you are applying to? What interests are you looking to? Are you only interested in large schools?</p>

<p>That ACT score is really low. Some people do better on one test than another, I'd suggest taking the SATs and see if you are better at taking that exam!</p>

<p>He is a senior so he would have to register/take the exam very soon. Perhaps he is really wanting to look at schools with what he has. We can certainly help w/ that can't we?</p>

<p>Sorry, I haven't taken the SATs or ACTs for something like 6 years so I don't know the deadlines for registration and such. </p>

<p>I'd either go to a CC for a year and get stellar grades so you can go to the college of your dreams, or look into a good state school in your area. What state are you a resident of?</p>

<p>Personally I think your recommendation of CC is harsh.....harsh. Joe's GPA is not low and many schools don't put that much emphasis on standardized exams. This guy stated his opinion and isn't asking about the alphabet soup schools. He wants to go to college, he named two schools. Hey, Joe are you looking for financial aid? Is the cost a major obstacle for you? Help us out here.</p>

<p>I think your comment to me was harsh. There is absolutely nothing wrong with community college, especially if it can help you get into the school of your dreams. It's cheaper than traditional schools and in a year with great grades you can go pretty much anywhere your heart desires! It was a SUGGESTION....not an absolute...and local state schools are last I checked, colleges.</p>

<p>BTW don't bash community college, my fiance went to community college and I don't take kindly to people who don't take the suggestion to save money to go to the college of their dreams seriously.</p>

<p>Needless to say, we need to see where he is from to be able to give feasible suggestions. He probably won't see any of this until he gets home from school anyway.</p>

<p>blue: I don't mean any disrespect, just want to make sure you get to graduate from whatever school you want to graduate from.</p>

<p>I made no disparaging, pejorative remarks about community college. My opine is that the averagejoe has enough intellect and savy to know that the option is available and has come to CC for other options . He is seeking advice on his other options from the helpful, experienced folks here.</p>

<p>Dude, take your ACT again, and you'll have better chances.</p>

<p>MSU:
First-year students submitting ACT scores: 91%
ACT scores (25/75 percentile):
English: 21 – 27
Math: 21 – 27
Composite: 22 – 27</p>

<p>First-year students submitting SAT scores: 25%
SAT I scores (25/75 percentile):
Verbal: 490 – 620
Math: 515 – 650
Combined: 1005 – 1270</p>

<p>UIUC
SAT I/ACT scores must be received by: December 15</p>

<p>First-year students submitting SAT scores: 29%
SAT I scores (25/75 percentile):
Verbal: 560 – 670
Math: 620 – 730
Combined: 1180 – 1400</p>

<p>Wow - I went to sleep and a brawl is forming! Might I suggest fresh air for both of you?</p>

<p>hazmat, I am an Illinois resident and no I am not seeking financial aid - my mother works for UIC the hospital so I get half of tuition at any Illinois state school. I already took the ACT twice but I got the same score. I am looking at other state schools in Illinois of course such as ISU and Northern. I'll be sending my college applications by monday. Getting admitted to UIUC will be a pipe dream for me, I know that already, and no CC for me.</p>

<p>UIUC
First-year students submitting ACT scores: 100%
ACT scores (25/75 percentile):
English: 25 – 31
Math: 26 – 31
Composite: 25 – 31</p>

<p>Well the best you can do is pray for me.</p>

<p>Converting your GPA to a 4.0 scale (2.92/4.0) your GPA is a bit low for Mich State (avg for 2005 admit = 3.3-3.8) but you should still apply. You know about your low chance at UIUC, but the other Illinois schools I have no clue about.</p>

<p>I'd look into Indiana University, I got in 6 years ago with almost the exact same GPA and a bit higher SAT/ACT (1120 SAT/can't remember ACT). I think a big reason I got in with a little bit of scholarhip is because I was a legacy, but I would still keep that on your radar.</p>

<p>Other big schools in the area such as Kentucky and Tennessee may be options too, you will still be below the 50% mark of the entering class, but you know there is still 50% below you can get into.</p>

<p>I was in a similar situation as you, but fortunately I was going to college 6 years ago, when admissions standards were a bit lower.</p>

<p>BTW Hazmat...fiance = I'm a girl, not a 'buddy'</p>

<p>Have confidence but also make a secondary plan.....best of luck!!</p>

<p>ophiolite: who knew??</p>

<p>Another you may want to look into is SIU.</p>

<p>You meet their admit requirements if you have an ACT of 18 plus in the top quarter of your class, if you meet this, from what it seems you are pretty much guarenteed admission. If you are close to this then I would pretty much say this may be a safety.</p>