Chance an average suburban whiteboy.

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>My first two years of high school were absolute garbage, GPA wise. Junior year was a big improvement; however I fear that I may have been too late. As a rising senior I'm taking three AP classes (an improvement from the mere one I took junior year) and aiming to push myself in every way possible. Furthermore, I'm not looking for your sympathy. I'm not trying to be the next "feel good" story. I just want some blunt, honest (perhaps even cynical) opinions on whether I even have a shot at some of my choice colleges/universities. </p>

<p>Laugh if you like:</p>

<p>School: Illinois, pretty competitive, we sent a few to duke/one to princeton from last year's grad
GPA W: 3.1
ACT: 25 (retaking in sept., 27?)
Rank: Top 50% (barely)
AP: USH, 4
Next year APs: lit, macro, gov</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
Varsity Tennis: 9,10,11,(12...team captain?)
Varsity Football: 9, (12)
Cross Country Running: 10, 11
Debate Club: 11, (12)
Teen Arts
FBLA: 9, 10
Community Service: 20-40 hours (volunteered at my county republican office, campaigned during the 2008 election)</p>

<p>Possible Major: public afairs analysis/poli sci/econ/english. any schools that have quality programs pertaining to those majors feel free to recommend!</p>

<p>College List:
Indiana University-Bloomington
University of Michigan (longshot, I know)
University of Iowa
University of Illinios-Urbana Champaign (also a longshot)
University of Denver
University of Texas A&M
Michigan State University
Purdue University
Penn State
Iowa State University
Ball State University</p>

<p>The first six are the ones I'm most interested in. However, I realize that that most, if not all, are reaches. Therefore, if you could just give me a rough guess (ratio) on how many out of six I could get into (assuming I applied to them all) that would be great. </p>

<p>Very willing to chance back. </p>

<p>Also: If I was to get my gpa above 4.0 senior year would colleges take notice? Thanks!!!</p>

2

<p>I am in the same situation and I am being 100% serious except I live in NY so I am looking at similar schools just in different area and Penn State. I hope you can get in but from what I am hearing about my chances at other schools I hate to say I don’t know how good your chances are but I would still apply to all of them at least one has to take you, thats what I am doing and have one back up that you know that you will get into. I hope they notice the 4.0 senior gpa because I need it badly. With those majors there is many schools you can go to for undergrad and then go to one of the schools on your list for grad school, I don’t have that option with engineering because only the good schools have it.</p>

3

<p>i don’t know much about the american students. but im sure if you work on your GPA and improve it to amazing 4+, it will works. and i think your essay might be a great part of your applaication materials so maybe you can try to write an impressive essay. everybody’s unique and you must have your own shining points, it might not be your scores but other things! so just try your best and you can get in!</p>

4

<p>Glad someone else is in the same situation on CC lol. GL with your admissions too. I hope you’re right about the odds. As long as I get into one of those six, I’d be fairly content. </p>

<p>Then, like you said, I’ve ‘just’ got to worry about grad school.</p>

5

<p>bump</p>

<p>any opinions?! i realize that it is easier to chance people for harvard/yale. i realize that my profile isn’t quite as interesting as others’ here on CC. but seriously, people on CC need to realize that people without outstanding GPA’s and perfect ACTs/SATs deserve a chance too.</p>

6

<p>Okay, I am only knowledgeable about a few of the schools you are interested, but I will try to help you anyway. Colleges will definitely take notice that you have an upward trend in grades and are taking a more rigorous course load than before. However, stop putting yourself down! Study for the ACT and try to improve your score, or you could possibly try the SAT, because you might be better at that. I would think you probably have the best chance of getting into your in-state public, simply because you are in-state, right? U Michigan and IU are probably no’s, based upon my knowledge. Sorry, but you probably knew that. However, you have good ec’s- very sports oriented. If you improve your scores, write killer essays, and play up your ec’s on your applications, I am confident you will be accepted to one of the six. Best of luck.</p>