Chance me UIUC fall 2020? Low GPA

[taylz826]

White/female + in-state
Low GPA (2.85 UW, 3.5 W)- A’s/B’s freshman & sophomore year but B’s/C’s (and 2 D’s in APs) junior year due to mental health issues causing absence (addressed in my essay)
All honors/AP classes
Applying with biology as my 1st choice major, early childhood education as 2nd choice
28 ACT, but it was my first time so I should be able to get it up to a 30+ with the tutoring I’ve been doing
Strong extracurriculars (many leadership roles, clubs, long term job)

I am a decent student but my issues last year really messed me up. I have straight A’s again and have gotten help and dove into all of that in my essay, explaining how it led me to my interest in my major. I’m concerned because junior year really brought my GPA down but aside from that I fit their averages pretty well.

[Groundwork2022]

Your stats would be a tough sell for biology, but you might get in for early childhood education. Don’t count on getting in for education then switching majors. It is more difficult to do at UIUC than at some smaller schools.

[kuhlm44937]

If you explained your drop in grades, I can definitely think that they would take your circumstances into account. Bio can be pretty competitive, but if you raise your ACT and write a strong essay you would have a shot.