<p>Hello all:
My parents tell me that UW-Madison is a safety school for me. But with its 50% acceptance rate and its high standing on many university rankings, I'm not sure.
I will be a senior this fall at a large public school in Wisconsin, which I began attending this past year. Previously, I went to a small, private school.
My cumulative GPA is 3.95 with an upward trend. I got a 32 on the ACT (35 English, 30 Math, 36 Reading, 27 Science), an 800 on the SAT II US History test, and a 740 on the SAT II Literature test.
I have taken the following courses: (At the private school I attended, there were no honors/AP classes)
9th Grade:
Religion I, English I, Chemistry, Geometry, Art I, History I (Ancient), Latin II
10th Grade:
Religion II, English II, Biology, Algebra & Trigonometry (Algebra II), Art II, History II (Medieval), Latin III
(During the Summer, I took a college course on National Security at American University)
11 Grade (The school I now attend does not offer Latin)
AP Language & Composition, Pre-Calculus, Painting I, Introduction to Computer Programming, AP European History, Modern US History, Math Physics (Honors), British History Since 1688 (taken at the University of Wisconsin in a dual-enrollment program)
I received 5's on the AP Lang & Comp Exam as well as the AP Euro History Exam. I got a 4 on the AP US History Exam, which I self-studied for in ninth grade.
I have received the following honors:
Inducted into the National Honor Society
Gold Medalist in the National Latin Exam in 9th and 10th Grade
High Honor Roll all semesters
I am most worried about my extra-curricular activities, as I don't seem to have many. I spend most of my time outside of school reading, running, doing chores for my family, etc. I also spend quite a lot of time following politics and current events. The few extra-curriculars I do have are:
I am an assistant in my school's archives (we are the only high school in the state with an archives), I ran cross-country in 9th and 10th grade, I have done quite a bit of volunteer work, etc.
I plan to double-major in History and Political Science.
I am taking dual enrollment classes (at UW-Madison) and the most rigorous classes available this coming year.</p>
<p>Anyone?</p>
<p>Your stats are great. I know of several students getting in last year with 27 - 28 ACT’s and lower GPA’s. A few years back (5+), it was much more difficult for state residents because they were admitting more from out-of-state. High stat students like yourself weren’t always getting in. But, they changed their admission policies. It’s definitely a safety for you.</p>
<p>@MOMINWIS: Thanks so much! That was very helpful!</p>
<p>I can’t imagine you not getting in UW Madison unless you bomb your essay. But you are right I know students rejected from UW with good credentials, none as good as yours though. It is good you recognize that UW is difficult to predict if you will get in no matter what your credentials. Your mom is wrong though, UW Madison is a meet school for you not a safety. U Minnesota is a safety. Oh, funny how people worry about EA. College admissions rather see two or three EA that are related to your major than a bunch of ones just tossed in. They notice that. My daughter had only two but related to her major. Funny she rejected from UW Madison with a 3.5 UWGPA and 30 ACT but got into UIUC and University of Michigan so you never know the power of an essay with borderline stats.</p>
<p>Oh I meant to say that for you to apply to some reach schools like Duke, etc.</p>