<p>My first semester grades are going to be really high compared to 9-11 grades. So I hope that looks good as an upward trend.</p>
<p>Also what is this school known for? Does it have a good political science program?</p>
<p>New York resident, Hispanic male , single mother that only makes 20k a year for 3 children.(hopefully almost full ride)</p>
<p>Rank: Top 20% for sure. But they will do the actual ranks this week.</p>
<p>GPA- 3.3 (UW) I don't know weighted yet but my school going to calculate that this week. I'm thinking it should go up .2-.5 points due to alot of honors/AP classes I've taken.</p>
<p>SAT - Got a 1450 the first time but I took the SAT again OCt. 4 where I know I got 200+ point higher. so projecting 1650+ because I studied for this one and didn't for the first one and when I took the test it felt easier.</p>
<p>SAT2- Taking Spanish and US History in November 1. Both are my forte.
Not sure if SAT2 are required. I'm taking them for another school.</p>
<p>EC-
Volunteered at Gurwin Nursing Home - 11th
Select Orchestra - Viola - 9-12
NYSSMA - 9-11th grade
Sales Associate at Staples - worked 40 hours in Summer and working 20 hours during school.
Tutor - 9-11</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Senior year grades are not used for admission, only grades through junior year count.</p></li>
<li><p>SAT IIs are not used for admission even if you submit them.</p></li>
<li><p>There is a Nov 1 priority date (like early action). If you apply by that date you will get one of three decisions mid-December -- admit, reject, or deferred until all applications are in. You have a somewhat better chance of being admitted to the arts & sciences college (where political science major is) if you apply by that date rather than waiting to apply later. And by apply means you need to get eveything sent by that date including test scores and high school transcript so if you are going to apply best to start doing the application now.</p></li>
<li><p>The middle 50% range for arts & sciences for this year's class was top 13% to top 3% class rank and 1850 to 2120 SAT (or 27 to 32 ACT; UIUC gets far more ACT scores than SAT because every high school junior in Illinois takes the ACT but both tests are readily accepted). Class rank and test score are very important factors along with difficulty level of courses you have taken (e.g., AP and honors are positive factors considered). You should consider UIUC a reach, but it does consider URM status (including Hispanics) as a favorable factor. Political science department is good. UIUC's most touted programs are engineering and business.</p></li>
<li><p>Though UIUC provides need-based financial aid to US residents, it does not guarantee to meet 100% of need and usually does not.</p></li>
</ol>