Chance me: Indian male (Illinois resident) trying to get into Grainger College of Engineering (UIUC)

Chance Me / Match Me!
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Hello! I am currently a senior in high school and am looking for advice on applying to UIUC’s Grainger College of Engineering for Computer Engineering. Please take a look at some of my information below, as I’m trying to get opinions on whether I would make it into Grainger.

Major: Computer Engineering

SAT: Not including, as UIUC is test optional.

Current Weighted GPA (Out of 5): 4.728

Unweighted GPA: 4.138 (I’m not sure why it’s above 4, but this is the number that the school provides on the transcript)

Top 5% of Class: 95th to 99th Percentile

Courses Outline: 8 Honors Courses (Taking 1 more currently), 4 AP Courses (Taking 2 more currently) (I have A’s and A+'s in every single class I’ve taken in high school. The one A- I have on record was for the second semester of AP Physics 1)

AP Literature and Composition: Currently Taking

AP Calculus BC: Currently Taking

AP Government and Politics: 5

AP Physics 1: 2

AP U.S. History: 4

AP Language and Composition: 5

Community Service: 109.75 Hours

Awards (This is just a super quick list, there is more that I haven’t written down):
1. National Honors Society Member
2. AP Scholar
3. John Philip Sousa Band Award
4. Some type of presidential academic achievement recognition
5. A lot more I just can’t remember right now

Extracurriculars:
4 years of marching band percussion
3 years of winter percussion
1 year as student leader of percussion/drumline
Robotics club and FIRST competition experience for 1 year
4 year member of Christian Students Association (CSA)
CSA prayer leader position for 3 years
1 year of jazz band

Thanks for reading! Please let me know what you think below.

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I think you are competitive, if you apply EA.

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I will be applying EA. Thanks!

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Good luck!

I would be a little skeptical about sharing the Physics 1 score. You obviously did well in the class, so maybe don’t submit it? Just an idea. I think you have a good shot. Any other colleges you have in mind? When do applicants usually hear back from Urbana-Champaign about EA decisions? Maybe worth it to have a plan B?

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Jan 27th - after pretty much all RD deadlines. So definitely need to have a plan B.

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OP - just curious: did you mention “Indian male” because you think your admission chances might be harder due to your ethnicity, or are you an international applicant (Indian citizen) living in Illinois?

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I think the 4.0+ is because your school awards a higher than “ for a +. Likely .33 so A+ = 4.33.

My hesitancy is the test optional. They don’t have a CDS SO no info on the engineering page so it’s hard to know what percentage are TO.

That and the 2 in physics could hurt as they want physics and not showing an AP score may or may not be held against you.

The fact that you have a plan B is good enough. A school like Iowa State, for example, you could be in tomorrow and it’s solid…or any other # of similar schools.

Good luck. Hope it works out for you.

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Mainly because of the former concern. I am a U.S. citizen and was born here, but I do have an Indian ethnicity. I was asked to provide my ethnicity on other forums which is why I included mine here as well.

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Yeah I agree, submitting that Physics 1 score wouldn’t be the best idea. Plus I won’t get credit for it anyway. I am also thinking of having my local community college as a Plan B, as they offer an engineering pathways program where you complete the basic courses at the college and then transfer to UIUC to complete the engineering major (except its a lot easier to get into the pathways program than UIUC direct, hence why I’m considering that as a Plan B). from what I’ve heard, the results from EA will come around January/February. I’ll likely apply to the engineering pathways program as a backup just in case I don’t get into Grainger directly.

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Are those the only two options? You’re not interested in another four year experience if UIC doesn’t work out ?

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Hey! Thanks for the info! Could you explain to me what “CDS SO” means? As for the physics score, I probably won’t include it. I’m going to hope for the best that it’s not held against me, but wouldn’t blame the school if it was. Thanks again!

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Sorry. SO was not meant to be in caps.

Most schools publish what is called a Common Data Set.

It doesn’t appear UIUC does.

It wouldn’t break to each collehe but it would show what % of kids were TO. I’m wondering if the test optional could work against you - don’t know.

I’d say this - if you don’t apply you can’t get in. The worst they could say is no.

Not sure why it’s UIUC or bust. Can you explain ?

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The engineering pathways is my main plan B. The community college is not selective for who gets into the program hence why I am putting leverage on it (the hard part is actually staying in the program from what I’ve heard).

However, I have thought about the worst case scenario, and would probably apply to UIC if all else failed. UIC regular decision ends February 1st, so I would know my UIUC results by then and would apply using Common App.

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Looks like it’s here: https://www.dmi.illinois.edu/stuenr/#CDS

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Ok gotcha, thanks for the explanation. My SAT score is not the best and would only drag me down when being compared to other Grainger applicants, hence why I’m not including it.

On the UIUC website it says, “We will use a holistic review of your admissions application with or without an ACT or SAT.” So according to the website I shouldn’t be judged differently. However, that’s only what the website says, it’s quite possible that judgement could depend on the individual admissions officer reading my application.

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Wow. Big whiff. Thx for this.

67% school wide submitted. I’d assume engineering is higher.

I do think it’s a tough admit. But I’m not an AO. As they say, they are TO do it may not impact u. You’ll get In or not so apply and hope !!

Pathways - This is pretty difficult GPA wise.

Why no 4 year plan B or why only UIC ? You can certainly study engineering in a fine 4 year program next year even if not UIUC.

Do you only want to stay in Illinois ? Is it a cost thing bcuz you could go OOS for cheaper than UIUC.

Just curious the rationale for just one school. It’s fine if you choose this but want to ensure you are not missing anything.

https://pathways.engineering.illinois.edu/

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I have been pretty dead set on UIUC for a while now, which is the most honest reason I don’t have more Plan B’s. I understand how this is a bad idea, but I do believe my Plan B’s do offer me a good rebound if UIUC fails.

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Ok. Just know you could get into a lot of great schools and at cheaper prices.

If you have no interest it’s ok, but if you want a plan be with easy apps as a just in case you change your mind later, we could suggest some additional programs for you if you give the criteria.

What is that attracts you to UIUC - hopefully not just ranking.

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Not just the ranking for me, it’s also the location- far enough away from home that I can get to experience dorm life but close enough to my house where I can still visit the family on weekends/breaks.

Suggestions would be awesome though! What do you have? The only criteria for me is that the school is in Illinois.

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Where’s is home in Illinois ? Y does the school need to be in Illinois. There are close, bordering states of distance an issue.

Any cost issues ??

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