Chances at getting into UR

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Rochester
1

<p>I am a junior in high school and have been looking at the U of R for a while now and it seems like a school that I could see myself attending for four years. I have been looking at the U of R's data on College Board and Naviance but we have only had four kids apply to U of R (I am from MA). Though, these sources are giving me conflicting information on the kids who get into the U of R. On College Board they give this information on the kids they accept:</p>

<p>64% had h.s. GPA of 3.75 and higher
20% had h.s. GPA between 3.5 and 3.74
9% had h.s. GPA between 3.25 and 3.49
5% had h.s. GPA between 3.0 and 3.24
2% had h.s. GPA between 2.5 and 2.99</p>

<p>Which is promising to me because I have a 3.58ish GPA so from this information it seems like UR could be within my reach. Though, on Naviance, of the four kids who have applied from my school, two had just under a 3.0 GPA and around 1700 on the SAT and those both got denied. Those two I would have predicted would have been denied but then the one who got accepted had a GPA of about mine but with a SAT score of around 250 points higher than mine (Mine is an 1820 at the moment but I have time to improve). The troublesome thing about this is that we had another kid apply and get denied but he had 2020 on the SATs and around a 3.3 GPA.</p>

<p>And also, on this website MConklin posted this about his admissions experience this year at UR:</p>

<p>"The average High School GPA among those students, though not official yet, is close to a 3.94, and the SAT about a 2100. These are more competitive numbers than any I have seen in my four years at Rochester."</p>

<p>So, my question is, even though UR is on a trend of becoming more selective, would I, a student with a 3.6 GPA, 1820 (expected to be in the 1900s by the time I apply), a student of Karate, a student ambassador, and a student of the most prestigious high school in the worcester MA county (Saint John's HS) have a standing chance at getting accepted into UR when I apply next winter/fall?</p>

2

<p>The U of R (thankfully) has a holistic review process. Test scores and GPA aren’t everything at Rochester. What’s more important to the Admissions Staff at Rochester is that you and the university are a good “match”. </p>

<p>It is important to have a demonstrated understanding of the school. Rochester’s open curriculum means that students can study whatever they want, without having the burden of Gen. Ed. requirements. Students at Rochester typically have at least 2 academic passions, often in very different areas, such as Art History and Biomedical Engineering, Russian Studies and Political Science, Business and Film & Media Studies, and Rochester students follow their passions immediately in their first semester freshman year.</p>

<p>Access to undergraduate research is also a huge benefit for Rochester students. If a student in high school is already involved in research, or has the desire to become involved in research, chances are that the Admissions Staff will notice and will factor that into their decision.</p>

<p>Rochester students, in general, are risk-takers, non-conformists, and they embrace their inner nerd. They can be defiant at times, refusing to accept the status quo (it is a top-tier research institution, you should have a desire to be on the forefront of knowledge, innovation, and technology). They will adjust their high school curriculum to fit their needs, even if the Guidance Counselor is standing in their way. They will take classes at community colleges during their junior and senior year just for the sake of learning. A little bit of “Rochester quirkiness” can be found in almost any student on campus, which is pretty cool.</p>

<p>Outside of the classroom, Rochester students are still expected to shine. The Student Life atmosphere on the River Campus is vibrant and diverse, and Admissions Counselors are looking for students who can add to that atmosphere. The more passionate you are about your extracurriculars, the more likely you are to stand out from the crowd. Students are very involved on campus, and they know how to have fun. With 248 different student-run clubs to join, you’re going to find your “fun” outlet!</p>

<p>Don’t stress out too much about your grades. Keep taking AP / IB classes during your senior year. Curriculum rigor is a big indicator for your success at Rochester, so keep working hard throughout your senior year of high school. </p>

<p>Definitely interview with an Admissions Counselor and go for a campus visit if you haven’t already. Those little factors can help. If you truly love the school, and you articulate that well in your interview / application, you may get good news come next March!</p>

<p>Finally, don’t worry about the 3.94 and 2100. The 3.94 represents the weighted average that the high schools provide. The actual unweighted average GPA of admitted UR students is 3.77 according to the most recent 2011 Fact Sheet. SAT scores around 680 in all three categories is also the norm.</p>

3

<p>Thank you so much, URgrad2009, for your speedy and detailed response. The reason I am so attracted to this school is because almost every characteristic you have listed as a UR student fits me, all except taking CC classes. But thank you for that final paragraph, that explains a lot because an average 3.94 GPA seemed ridiculous to me, though that will be interesting to find out how they would look at my application because my high school does not weigh GPA.</p>

4

<p>Don’t worry that your high school does not weight your GPA. At Rochester, the Counselors will look at your transcript’s core courses (ignoring classes like Driver’s Ed, Wood Shop, etc.) and calculate an unweighted GPA. </p>

<p>Grades from 9th-12th grade are factored into this unweighted GPA. Realize that even if you think your GPA is a little low, you can WOW the Counselors with an “upward trend”, which is why it is important to get strong grades during your junior and senior years.</p>

<p>Taking rigorous AP courses is at times viewed as more important than getting an “A” in non-AP classes.</p>