I am going to be a senior this fall and currently looking for colleges. I have a 26 on the ACT but am very worried about my GPA: 2.97. I don’t think I’ll be able to get it up to a 3.0 as it is already been updated since junior year. I currently go to the #2 high school in the country so I’m not sure if this would change any factors as well. I am looking to go to the following colleges, do you think I’ll have a chance?!
Indiana- Bloomington
Miami of Ohio
Michigan State
University of Iowa
What state are you in? I think you need to add some of the directional publics in your state.
Since you can’t do anything about your GPA at this point, maybe study and retake the ACT to get your score up?
What’s your budget?
Depending on what you would like to study, Lake Forest might be an available option.
I am in Illinois @Dolemite
@newjerseygirl98 not 100% sure, I am hoping to get financial aid or a scholarship but it isn’t looking to good for that right now
Have the money talk with your parents.
If you need financial aid, you shouldn’t be applying to out-of-state publics.
@newjerseygirl98 Yeah, but he’s in Illinois. His in-state publics are in serious trouble and not necessarily great options either.
OP: You need a budget, and probably some private schools where you are a candidate for financial aid on your list.
@AroundHere yes, I actually don’t have any interest in Illinois schools at all. Which schools would you have in mind?
Then it behooves you to talk to your GC, doesn’t it? At such a remarkable school they should be fountains of great advice.
@mikemac yes there is but I’m wondering if that statistic would be any help to making it in?
If it really is the #2 high school in the country, the college admissions folks will have heard of it.
Totally agree with @mikemac that if you have good counselors they will know where admission is likely for you.
But, it doesn’t matter where you get in if you won’t b able to afford it. What is your budget and how does that compare to your EFC?
@AroundHere I’m having a difficult time with that right now, I’m a first generation college student from my family and an only child so it’s very difficult trying to get points across. My mom thinks that I’ll be able to get into a school for $20,000 and Im trying to convince her that thats nearly impossible.
@AroundHere also, will that help my chances if they know my school??
You will need several in state directional schools as safeties: Illinois state, UIChicago, Northern Illinois etc. With your stats and family situation it is not what you like but where you will be accepted and where you can afford.
It would definitely help if they know your school, and it is highly ranked. I just took a quick look at IL HSs, and non are in the top 30 according to new USNews ranking. But, even that is pretty darn good, and colleges will have heard of your school. Agree with others, talk to your counselor and be sure to tell them your situation. Be ready to apply early, early, early.
@esjhss17 I feel like the “elite high school” label is a sword that can cut both ways. Your courses will probably be seen as more rigorious, but I think they may expect more from you as you have been provided more resources than a person just like you, but at a lower quality/ranked school. Check with your guidance/college counselor on your chances - they will have the best and most reliable information. I am assuming they will provide quality advice, as your high school is very well-ranked.
@2muchquan I was considering waiting until my 1st semester as I would most likely be able to get it to a 3.0- would you not recommend that?
Whether or not that price point is possible depends on your financial aid eligibility.
Can you sit down with your mother and fill out the FAFSA4caster and see what it says?
https://fafsa.ed.gov/FAFSA/app/f4cForm?execution=e1s1
And yes, you need to listen to what everybody is telling you and sit down with your guidance counselor and see what colleges students from your school, with your stats, have been accepted to in the past and whether or not they got scholarships.