Hey! I am just finishing up my junior year in high school, and kind of an odd case here.
I am fairly confident in my ACT score of a 30, I got 34 in math, 30 in reading, 29 science, and 27 in English (probably will retake in the summer to maybe get a 31 or 32), however my GPA is not up to par, with about a 2.9
This puts me at about the 50% mark of my class, with standard courses. Senior year, I have signed up for AP Calc AB, but will probably move/test into BC.
I have missed a lot of high school due to mental health issues, but I am working to get GPA up and I am dedicated, I have also had a mother that attended this university and was very involved, I head that helps chances?
I am just wondering what kind of chances I’d be looking at to get into the U, and what can I do this summer/senior year to improve those chances?
Thank you!
Also: My intended major would be mathematics (pure/applied? not decided yet). I am also very well rehearsed in the computer science field, and might pursue that as a minor.
Something you can do to try to raise your GPA is maybe retake a couple of classes you didn’t do too well on over the summer. This will show colleges that you are serious about improving your grades. Your ACT score is fantastic. Best of luck to you 
I will say that a GPA is a slightly larger factor in their decisions than an ACT score as I know people with low GPAs and high ACT scores that didn’t get into the CSE school (which I am assuming is the one you are applying for). However, even with a low GPA, if you have the activities to back you up, your chances significantly go up. My one piece of advice is to not worry so much about the ACT score, as you are in the ball park for admission, but I would try to take some additional weighted courses senior year. I know some friends that took online AP courses through this program our school offered (talk to your counselor about some in your area) that she used to boost her GPA. I think your goal should be to get a 3.2 or higher if possible as your high ACT will offset this lower GPA. If this doesnt seem achievable, really focus on writing some GOOD essays (even the optional ones) and expanding your activities beyond just school clubs, maybe venturing into some activities involving computer science (coding club, tutoring, volunteering/interning at a local company). This may seem excessive but just trying to give you some ideas for how to stand out so they look past your GPA. Hope this helps [Also, if you are applying to the CLA computer science, you shouldn’t have to worry with your current stats too much as it is much easier to get into]
Yeah, I am aware of CSE being out of reach. My hope is to spend 2 years in the CLA college and hopefully transfer to CSE for the more major specific work, or something along those lines. So far, my intended major would be mathematics or computer science. Thank you for your response, I just got back from my ACT retake, and feel good about this one.
I’d like to update this a little bit. ACT retake didn’t go too well, but improved math section to a 35, although U of M doesn’t superscore, I can mention that and maybe will show my strength there. I also changed courses around a little bit to a more rigorous load that I know I can handle, I will be taking AP Calculus AB and AP Physics C. British literature and world history will also be included while also being a teacher aid for elementary school students (will probably help with math classes there). I wonder if this will help at all, a more rigorous load and helpful classes.
I also have been working on ECs, as I know these are important.
I have been working on a hobby project that will be a little operating system. Nothing big or anything, just a side project that I put consistant time into.
Over the summer I have also worked 40 hours or so a week at a retail job (not related to intended major, but shows I can interact with a lot of people and can do well, maybe get a LOR from manager?).
Also plan to be on the science Olympiad team, join BPA, and will be a lead programmer for our robotics team. As another add on that I don’t know if they see as an EC, but perhaps, is that I regularly donate blood. That is probably more community service, but I donate as often as I can.
Thank you guys for your responses. I also applied to Mankato State as a safety school, just in case 