I am a student at a very small school with only around 100 students per graduating class. Opportunities are limited, but I strive to succeed and develop connections and strengthen my application in all aspects. I have a composite ACT score of a 26, I have a 3.7 GPA, I have taken one AP course (only 3 available) and 1 honors course (only 2 available) as well as I am registered to take comp 1 and 2 during my senior year. I have attended multiple leadership building conferences and a program called Regional Scholars for only the top 20 students being eligible to attend ( 5 went to the retreat ). I also participated in the Miami University Summer Scholars Program this summer and attended the module “Activists in Action : Building Socially Just Leaders”. At this camp we learned college admission and essay writing tips, leadership experience/activities, and college life (living on a campus, residence halls, dining halls, etc.). I also hold multiple offices and leadership positions in my school. I am secretary of Key Club and Leo Club. I also am in charge of my tobacco awareness club called STAND (active with the county/city commissioners). Aside from that I am involved in National Honor Society and Student Council (both you must apply to be accepted into). I also am a cheerleading for four consecutive years and I am running cross country (one year). I have tried everything to improve my ACT score, so I’ve been trying to become more active with other extra-cirriculars to make up for what I lack. Please be brutally honest, I need feedback and genuine responses. Thank you so much!
Are you from Ohio?
Yes, I am an in-state female student.
You said be brutally honest, I can’t see any reason other than your ACT score that you wouldn’t get in. As I understand it, Ohio State is a much more score-oriented school than other schools, so I don’t think improving your ECs will help that much. But it certainly doesn’t hurt.
Have you tried taking the SAT? Maybe it’s more your style. Getting your standardized scores up is important if you want Ohio state to be a match, not a reach. Right now I think it’s a low to mid reach.
Good luck!
I think that being in-state should help a bit. IMHO you have a pretty good chance to get in, but it is definitely not a sure thing at all. I agree with @thalaya that if you could bring up your ACT a bit, or if you could do slightly better on the SAT, this would help your chances.
For students who are pretty close to the cutoff some universities will wait for mid term grades and some will not (ie, some just admit based on grades through Junior year). I don’t know where Ohio State is on this measure, so I don’t know whether your first half senior grades will help or not.
I would say apply, but definitely have a plan B. Good luck with this.
I haven’t considered it because it’s not usually offered near me, however i am open to looking for new places to take this test. Thank you so much for the feedback, it was very helpful.
Thank you @DadTwoGirls you’re response reassured me. I have a back up plan, but its not my favorite school. I am actively visiting schools in my range, if you know of any you think will be a good fit for me… please let me know! Thanks everyone.
ACT score range for class of 2021 (middle 50%) was 28-32 and higher for some majors, so you are significantly lower than even the 25th percentile. A 3.7 is also probably lower than the average, much lower if it is a weighted GPA. You have a chance but very slim.
You have a very slim chance as others have noted but since you’re in state you are guaranteed at least regional campus. If you don’t get in go to Newark or Mansfield for a year and transfer in, at the end of the day it’s the same diploma.
We dose do not have ace a weighted GPA and above average then most students in my school. My sister attends Ohio State
@laurenellierose0 I would say look at common data set. ACT score mid 50th range began at 27 so you have a shot being an instater. Submit new ACT score so they can look at all your testing. The official stats for 2021 no one really knows because colleges can’t officially report until after classes start.
I’ve also noticed that students that got accepted had much lower ACT scores but higher GPA. Concentrate more on your academics fall semester instead of EC so that you can continue to raise your GPA. I’m sure you will do well !!!
I got in with a 24 on my ACT and my roommate got in with a 23! Nothing is impossible! But then again I had a 4.5 GPA and was second in my class with lots of extra curriculars. But don’t give up hope based off of your score. If you can, try to bump that GPA and ACt up as much as possible though.
I have a lot of extra circulars and I have a 3.7 (trying to get to a 3.85 during senior year). If I can improve my ACT score to a 27-28 or get a high SAT score (have not taken but I am taking it in August), do you think my chances will improve?
@laurenellierose0 my D had a 3.75 GPA, a 26 on her ACT and she did not get in. She was an Education major and was deferred at first but then later denied. She had 1 AP class, a few duel credit classes and several EC’s at time of her application. I think if she had increased her ACT a bit she probably would have had a better chance. We are out of State for OSU so that also probably worked against her as well.
It’s very hard to move the GPA much in your Senior year, my D had a just above a 4.0 her senior year and it only brought her final GPA up to a 3.79. Two of her senior year classes were ACP classes. I think your better focus might be on your ACT and SAT scores and trying to get those raised up as high as you can. Don’t ignore the GPA but just know its harder to move that number with limited time.
Where she did get in with her Stats was Michigan State, Indiana University, University of Kentucky and University of Minnesota. She will be attending IU as a direct Admit to the School of Education. OSU was the only one of her schools she did not get into.
I appreciate your comment @dcolosi !
I am working diligently to improve my ACT score. I feel as if Ohio State picks and chooses because I know a girl from my school who got in with a 24 on the ACT, many ECs, and one AP course. So odd how things work?
I was an in state female and I got accepted this year by the skin of my teeth with a 25 ACT and a 3.4 GPA with no ECs since Sophomore year and no AP/IB. But don’t be like me. I had a good reason for my scores being so low. Do everything you can and more to get that ACT score up and apply early action/Decision. Make sure you have good essay skills for the common app. And even if you happen to get waitlisted you will most likely be granted admission. Other than that ACT I see no reason why you wouldn’t get in! Good luck