Chance for some Midwestern Schools, Please

<p>Alright, I'm basically a junior at a very competitive catholic high school. It's one of the top private schools in the St. Paul area. I would say I am pretty much an average student, but I haven't thought too much about college until now. I am a white male and would be a first generation college student. Planning on going into architecture and these are the schools I am looking at narrowing down.</p>

<p>Minnesota (My one pretty safe choice, In state)
Michigan Ann Arbor
PSU University Park
Illinois
UVA
Miami University (Ohio)
Syracuse
Notre Dame (Fat Chance, but it's my dream school)
Clemson</p>

<p>GPA: W-3.96 UW-3.85
ACT: 31 Composite
11 on writing
PSAT:195
Rank:29/216</p>

<p>Current Classes This Year:
Honors Chemistry
Church History (1/2 Year)
Spirituality (1/2)
AP US History
French III
American Lit
Architecture 1 (1/2)
Adv Alg 2/Trig
Adv Drawing & Painting 1 (1/2)</p>

<p>Projected Senior Year Classes:
Honors Physics
Christian Service Learning (1/2)
Honors Intro to Theology (1/2)
Honors French IV
AP Lang & Comp
Pre-Calc
Honors Government (1/2)
Honors Economics (1/2)
Adv Drawing & Painting 2 (1/2)
Architecture 2 (1/2)</p>

<p>I have gotten all A's so far except for a few A-'s and one B in Church History last semester. (It was really boring so I snuck out my iPod and listened to Rush Limbaugh) I also have a gradual upward trend each semester. I have/will be taking only two AP's but my school only offers three. Math is the only subject I am not in the highest possible track.</p>

<p>EC:
-Varsity Golf Team
On in 10th grade, will almost definitely be on in 11th and 12th. Good chance at being
captain in 12th grade. Was only three strokes away from making state in sections last
spring so possibly that, too.
-MN Junior PGA
9th and 10th Grade, will be on the next two summers as well.
-Peer Tutoring
Two nights a week, an hour a session. This year as well as next year.
-Traveling Gopher State Baseball
9th Grade, skipped last summer but will play next summer
-Community Service ~130 hours
Primarily through church workcamp. Will attend next summer.
-Caddied at Country Club
Since 7th Grade. About 40 loops a summer.
-Work at a Golf course
In the Pro-shop. Last summer and next summer as well
-Work at U of M concession stands
During Gopher Basketball and Hockey Games. Started in eigth grade and am still doing
it. Money goes directly to pay for my high school tuition. About 40 games a year.
-Political Campaigning
For John McCain and Senator Norm Coleman
-Academic Letter
And other various academic awards, student of the monthes, etc</p>

<p>That's about it. My ec's are my weakest spot, and I need to climb eight spots to get into the top 10%. </p>

<p>Tell me what you think and be brutally honest. I am just trying to narrow it down so I know what schools I should be focusing on.</p>

<p>Wow, your school must be REALLY competitive if you have a GPA of 3.96 and aren't in the top 10%!</p>

<p>But I think you've got a shot at all of them! Don't give up on Notre Dame--I see no reason why you wouldn't be a competitive applicant.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>Good chance for all of them except UVA and Michigan are probably reaches. Notre Dame is probably mid-high reach.
Seems like you're applying to a lot of Big 10 schools. Why are you applying to Clemson and not UW-Madison?<br>
Syracuse doesn't seem like a good fit, either.</p>

<p>I'm from Minnesota as well, what high school do you go to?</p>

<p>My cousin goes to Madison and I like the school a lot,but they don't have an architecture program. Also, I just threw Syracuse and Clemson out there to see what people think.</p>

<p>And yea, my grade is loaded. One of my friends who is a year older than me has an almost identical GPA and he is ranked 17 in his class.</p>

<p>And does anyone also think I have a shot at ND?</p>

<p>I agree with everything cinnamon said. You claim to be an average student, but those stats are definitely above average, and I think you've got a decent shot at ND.</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

<p>I guess my stats may seem above average, but compared to some kids in my class I don't feel like it.</p>

<p>Anyone else? What do you think my chances are for UVA, ND, or Miami are?</p>

<p>If your going into architecture, isn't Syracuse the big reach?</p>

<p>Apply for Notre Dame! I bet you can get in. </p>

<p>If you're interested in the South, Rice is also an excellent school.</p>

<p>Tulane used to have a really good architecture program, but not sure what the status is since Katrina.</p>

<p>Minnesota (My one pretty safe choice, In state)-safety
Michigan Ann Arbor- match (maybe a high match. Michigan isn't too hard OOS)
PSU University Park- match
Illinois- high match
UVA- reach
Miami University (Ohio)- safety
Syracuse- match
Notre Dame (Fat Chance, but it's my dream school)- low reach (you have a GREAT shot at ND. Your UW GPA is great and if you retake the ACT and get a little higher, you will be very competitive)
Clemson- match</p>

<p>You should definitely look at Washington University in St. Louis and Tulane. Both schools have amazing architecture programs.</p>

<p>As almosc90 said, you definitely have a very good chance at Michigan. I've seen a number of students with far fewer extracurriculars and not as great grades get in, but that was in state. In any case, you should be fine. (unless they've changed their policies to be very unreasonable with people a few hundred miles away)</p>

<p>University of Cincinnati or University of Ohio Cincinnati (I forget) also has a strong architecture program.</p>

<p>Um, I'm sure you have a good shot at the U of M, but it's becoming very competitive lately. One kid got "postponed" there with a 3.7 gpa and a 33 ACT.</p>

<p>For university of Michigan ann arbor, if you apply early, I think you got a good chance of getting accepted. As for UVA and Notre Dame they are both very very possible. Keep your grades up and remember apply to both Notre Dame and Michigan early next year and your chances will increase substantially. Good luck.</p>

<p>Good chance at MAA. Good luck.</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

<p>I have heard quite a bit about Cincinnati's architecture program and am going to look into it more.
I have also heard many great things about Washington in St. Louis, but I think I would prefer a larger school with more big time sports.</p>

<p>I'm hoping for a 33 when I retake the ACT in April because I am studying for it this time and last time the only studying I did was alot of cramming the night before. My only worry about the EC's is that I don't really have any "leadership" positions, unless I get picked as captain for next year in golf.</p>

<p>Minnesota, Michigan, and ND are what I'm leaning towards.</p>

<p>Thanks everyone.</p>

<p>Hill Murray sucks (just a guess and just kidding). But seriously I think that many people that go to the U from the Twin Cities don't feel like they get a real college experience. It's just too close to home. I'd steer clear unless they give you a lot of money.</p>

<p>"Michigan isnt too hard on OOS"</p>

<p>You have to be kidding me.</p>

<p>What's everyone think about my chances at Miami?</p>

<p>Minnesota (My one pretty safe choice, In state) seems like youknow youwill get in
Michigan Ann Arbor- seem like a strong candidate
PSU University Park- very good chances
Illinois- not familiar w/ school
UVA- high match
Miami University (Ohio)- very good chances
Syracuse- med match
Notre Dame (Fat Chance, but it's my dream school)- low reach
Clemson- med match</p>