Chance for Ohio State and University of Cincinnati?

2.8 GPA cumulative by end of junior year (UW)
1 AP by end of junior year, 4 Honors,
Lots of ECs
In state
African American Female
33 ACT
Private Catholic School

My low GPA is due to struggles throughout my junior year. The death of my uncle who raised me, followed by my mothers relapse into her addiction.

Applying early, chance me?

If I waited to apply a little later into my senior year, what grades would they see? And how would that effect my GPA?

With that ACT I think you should be fine for Cincy, I go to a public school near Cleveland and many kids have gotten into UC with lower GPAs, much lower ACT scores, and little to no ECs. If you can write an amazing essay about your uncle’s death and mom’s addiction and relate it to your struggles and how you’re progressing, you should have a decent chance for OSU.