<p>I'm a junior at at a prestigious magnet school in Chicago. I just got my ACT score: 28. It's not the best but I hope my grades can make up for it. I had a pretty average freshman year but I've heavily improved in the last two years and improved my GPA from a 3.7 to a 4.35. I only got one B in my last report card (in AP English)</p>
<p>GPA (weighted): 4.35
ACT: 28
Class rank: Top 5%
GPA (UW): 3.4285</p>
<p>I'm in 3 AP classes currently: AP US History, AP English Language, AP Government & Politics. I took the tests and I'm sure I'll pass all three with atleast a 4. My EC are bad though. I was part of JROTC for two years, was part of the Think tank Club here, so far I have 77 service learning hours and most importantly I spent two years in the Alpha program (it only lasts 2 years). This was a science fair program that involved me taking extra classes and competing in Science Fairs. I made it to the regionals in Sophomore year (a lot harder than it sounds). For my senoir year, I'm taking a very difficult curriculum, 4 AP classes (Economics, World Lit., Psychology, European History)</p>
<p>I should be able to write a good essay and get great recommendations. I want to major in Political Science (to go to a Law school for my graduate) I also have a great attendance record and even recieved an award from the city for it, if that helps. Thanks for reading and please give me your thoughts. I'm also from Iraq and lived there till I was 8 if that helps. What good colleges do you guys think I should aapply to and have a good chance of getting in, preferibly in Illinois or California or places close by.</p>
<p>Do I even have a chance?</p>
<p>BTW I do plan on interviewing and trying really hard at the essay and apply EA.</p>
<p>Because of your stats, you are a reach for Chicago. However, Chicago focuses very little on the numbers so if you make a compelling case for yourself you would have a much better shot than at schools of similar selectivity.</p>
<p>You have some unique features about you. You could talk about being from Iraq, growing up there (if you remember any of it), and how different it is here, and how you have grown because of it. Also speak of the JROTC. I wouldn't worry too much about grades, because you are in the top 5%. You have GOT to get those test scores up though, at least into range. A 28 puts you in the bottom 25% of all applicants. Shoot for the 30s.</p>
<p>I think you have a chance, but I would work especially hard on the essay. Chicago loves to glorify their UnCommon App, and from my experience, I'd say they value the essay more than comparable schools.</p>
<p>You should consider taking the SATs; some people have major imbalances between their ACTs and their SATs, and you may be one of those people who is just better at the SATs.</p>
<p>28 ACT is low end for UChicago but not out of the box. Also, it considers your test score to be of less importance than essays, EC's, and whether they believe your overall personality and desire fit what they are looking for. So you have a chance. Note, you say you can write a good "essay" but for UChicago's uncommon application that should be "essays." The application itself is a major "weed-out" for applicants because generally only those who are really considering going to UChicago will finish the darn thing.</p>
<p>Chicago is not as demanding on the ECs as the Ivy League. It's OK if yours are a little inconsistent (not staying with the same ones for four years). It would be great if you could get a better ACT score or SAT score, but you still definitely have a chance. The grades, essays, and recommendations can make up for it. You obviously have a strong interest in the school, and that counts for a lot there. Yes, I think that being from Iraq will help. If you live in the city (not suburbs) that may also help.</p>
<p>They may not be as demanding on the ECs, but they will certainly want to see the interesting things you've done outside of school. Being from Iraq should give you an excellent perspective as you write your essays. Be candid. Be bold with your thoughts, and subtle with your self references.</p>
<p>You seem to have the reverse of what many UChicago applicants have. It is common for a UChicago applicant to have high standardized test scores and a "lower" GPA, but not a "lower" ACT score and a very high GPA, as in your case. As said by above posters, UChicago doesn't really care about ECs that much but try to focus on the essays and possibly drop in for an interview if possible.</p>
<p>You seem to have the reverse of what many UChicago applicants have. It is common for a UChicago applicant to have high standardized test scores and a "lower" GPA, but not a "lower" ACT score and a very high GPA, as in your case. As said by above posters, UChicago doesn't really care about ECs that much but try to focus on the essays and possibly drop in for an interview if possible.</p>
<p>Definitely tie in your Iraq experience (i.e. transition to the US/differences in American culture, etc.) in your essay.</p>