Can I get into UIUC?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hi, do I have a chance at getting at UIUC? My first choice would be the Computer Science program at their Engineering college. If not that, then my second choice is their computer science plus mathematics programs at LAS.</p>

<p>ACT composite: 30
GPA Weighted-4.1/Unweighted-3.8
Class Rank: Top 3.5% (Currently top 14 out of 400+ students in the class)</p>

<p>Unfortunately, my high school isn't very competitive. Actually, the school has been on a "watchlist" for several years now because the school failed to meet No Child Left Behind's "Adequate Yearly Progress" criteria. In the last few years, more than half of juniors scored 19 or lower on the ACT. In fact, the 2006-2007 school year (My class) was the last chance the school had to meet AYP before risking government takeover, so everyone is anxiously waiting for the state to send us the results later this year.</p>

<p>I was able to take one of the two AP classes offered to Juniors, and was able to get into one of the three offered AP classes next year as well(I was eligible for all three classes, but my teachers recommended Physics honors instead of AP Bio because of my intended college major(my hs did not offer AP Physics), and I was forced to drop AP english because of a schedule conflict, leaving me with only Calc AB) Fortunately I was able to take every honors class possible in all four years. But I'm worried since I know seniors in other school have had the opportunity to take all AP classes.</p>

<p>Also, I have some other miscellaneous information about me, but I dont know if these will affect admission decision. </p>

<p>-I am an immigrant from the Philippines, and I came to the US in 2001. I was 11 years old at the time.</p>

<p>-Regarding Computer Science, I have been programming on the computer for several years now, pretty much through self-study. I am proficient in some variations of BASIC, (I wrote a game for a British competition and won myself a few small prizes ^_^) and am trying to learn C++ at the moment, but no experience in Java which I believe is the language used for Computer Science AP. Too bad my HS does not offer that class.</p>

<p>Clubs and Activities:
National Honors Society
Tennis (4 Years, freshman to senior)
Mathletes (3 Years, sophomore to senior)
Student Council (2 Years, freshman to sophomore)
Communications Club (1 year, junior)
International Club (1 year, junior)
Chess club(1 year, senior)</p>

<p>So, do I have a chance?</p>

2

<p>Hi dgamer,</p>

<p>I am pretty familiar with UIUC. I went to high school in Naperville, Illinois, and the majority of my friends went to UIUC. I myself was considering Electrical Engineering there. Don't worry too much about the programming languages you know, they will teach you JAVA and C within the first two years. If you feel strongly about your previous experiences, mention your BASIC prizes in your personal statement.</p>

<p>I believe you should definitely apply. Colleges generally take into account the school you attended, and the environment you grew up in. You clearly did much better than the majority of your classmates, which is a strong plus. Apply early, UIUC does rolling admissions and I believe that it improves your chances to apply early, since if you are on the borderline, you will be reconsidered along with the next set of applicants.</p>

3

<p>Thanks for the reply! Im still nervous, but its starting to settle.</p>

<p>I will keep what you said in mid and apply during the priority filing period.</p>

4

<p>You'll have a good chance! :)</p>

5

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

<p>Looking at their website, it seems im alright in terms of ACT score and Class rank.</p>

<p>The only thing that worries me now is the (lack of) competitiveness of my high school and that my classes aren't as rigorous as those of seniors from other schools.</p>