Chance me?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Louisiana State University
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<p>I am an upcoming junior going to a private, catholic, college prep, high school in NE. During my freshman year of high school I really messed myself up. I mean I really messed up bad and my GPA was at a 1.9 or something. I had a lot of personal issues because I had really low self confidence and I just gave up on myself. At the end of 9th grade I had mostly C's and D's. I promised myself I would pull my grades upward my next 3 years and I kept my promise. My grades aren't straight A's but I have a B average right now and I've pulled my GPA up to a 2.3. I know, my GPA still sucks going into my junior year but I'm retaking one of the classes I did really poorly in online. I'm not a slacker like some of the kids who say their GPA is really low. I run JV Track & Field, I'm a member of the school's yearbook committee, and I'm a member of the Pro-Life club, workstudy, along with working 2 jobs (One summer job as a lifeguard and one year round job at a grocery store) because I really want to earn money to go to college. I've also won the Good Samaritan award given out by the dean of students two years which is a pretty big deal and most improved in some of my classes. I have about 40 hours of community service but I'm hoping to get around 90+ hours by the time I graduate. I know I wouldnt be able to get into prestigous schools but I want to know if I can get into 4 schools
1. UN-Omaha (76% acceptance rate), 2. UN-Lincoln (62% acceptance rate), 3. LSU (69% acceptance rate), and 4. TCU (53% acceptance rate)</p>

<p>I've done my research on these schools and know that UNO and UNL residents (Nebraska) need to get a 20 on the ACT and a . LSU has a requirement of a 21 on the ACT and a 3.0 GPA and TCU takes all aspects of the application into consideration.
My question is... Am I screwed? I really have confidence in myself that I can get into LSU & TCU. Those are my top schools and I would redo 9th grade in a heartbeat if I could. It's not a matter if I can do the work because I can. Also is there anyway that I could get my GPA to a 3.0? I think I'd be a decent applicant to schools with my EC's and scores but my GPA is what kills me. My school is also fairly small so it doesn't offer many honors or AP courses. I know I can get atleast a 24 on the ACT. If I get my GPA up, get my ACT around a 24-26, get recs and write a killer essay do I still have a chance? I'm willing to work hard and do whatever it takes.</p>

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<p>Any comments would really help!</p>

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<p>I would contact Undergraduate Admissions at LSU and explain your situation and see what they have to say. I know nothing about the other 3 schools you listed, but you might want to try this approach with them as well.</p>

<p>It may not be a bad thing if you don’t get accepted initially to any of the schools you mentioned. Community College is where I started - after goofing off through 4 years of HS. Classes are smaller and less expensive, and the instructor is not primarily focused on research. A good record at a CC makes a transfer to a lot of universities possible.</p>

<p>I don’t put a lot of stock into “prestige” universities, though I see why some folks do.</p>