Chances Low GPA High SAT (OOS)

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign
1

<p>Hey guys im from Southern CAL
from one of the top schools in the nation.
Moved around alot Sophomore year (to Kansas and back)
and this really affected my GPA</p>

<p>Applying to Aerospace Engineering</p>

<p>My stats</p>

<p>-GPA UW - 3.55
dont know weighted</p>

<p>SAT - 2290 (Will Retake DEC. focus on writing)
CR - 760
M - 800
W - 730</p>

<p>Subjects
Math 2 - 790 (retake Nov.)
Physics - 740(retake Nov.)</p>

<p>Should I submit ACT (I took in Oct. and scores aren't out yet)?
expecting 35</p>

<p>EC's
Astronomy Club - President (12), Treasurer(11) , 10, 9
Philosophy Club - President (12), 11, 10, 9
Robotics Engineering (we compete at JPL/Caltech etc.) 12, 11
LEO Club - 9,10,11,12 - various projects and hours
Tutor Volunteer Association 12, 11 (Math + Science)</p>

<p>Work Exp.
Tutor for pay -Math + Physics</p>

<p>Awards:
California Scholarship Federation (12, 11, 10) -> Potential Gold Seal Graduate (not very significant)
AP Scholar
Tutor Certification -> from school</p>

<p>AP Scores
Calculus AB - 5
Physics C Mech - 5
Physics C - E&M - 5</p>

<p>Senior Schedule
AP Bio
AP Comp Sci
AP Stats
Calc CD Honors
Econ
English 12</p>

<h2>Adv. Robotics Engr.</h2>

<p>GOOD LUCK to everybody that is applying
Do I have a chance for AAE?</p>

2

<p>You definitely still have a solid chance because your tests and EC’s show that you’re proficient in math and science. I think that if you stress your demonstrated interest engineering and science you have a good shot.</p>

3

<p>hell yea fool</p>

4

<p>Lol thanks guys, its Thurs. morning, and I am sending it in now</p>

5

<p>Have you visited yet?
Speaking only from experience, everyone here is in the bag for U of I, and I know how highly it is ranked for your major, but you might want to take a look, preferably this time of year. We visited and within five minutes it was off the table. Just an opinion of course.</p>

6

<p>What, in 5 minutes of careful evaluation, would take it off the table?</p>

7

<p>Nope I havent visited.
But what aspect of it?</p>

8

<p>Had extensive evaluation before the visit, no doubt about the quality of coursework in Engineering/Computer Science, so the visit was primarily for the feel of the campus. We are from a Chgicago suburb so HS has sent thousands to U of I, with all the hype we were expecting something special.</p>

<p>Drastically unattractive, litter everywhere, they were cleaning up vomit when we went on the dorm tour(!), student guide could not comment enough about how overcrowded the dorms were, not to use the bike lanes because you’d “likely get run over,” no visitor parking, crappy little powerpoint presentation in a tiny room, just didn’t seem like they were trying AT ALL to generate any enthusiasm for a future applicant. Just compared to many of the schools we visited, big and small, there was no wow factor at all. AGAIN this is just an opinion, I know many can’t say enough good about U of I, just definitely not for us.</p>

<p>We really wanted to love it, would make the whole college decision thing much easier. You may be one of the many who can’t get enough of it! Point is, until you visit, you just can’t know.</p>

9

<p>Actually AL34, I saw your post regarding the bad experience you had when you came down for a visit. I hope you didn’t see all that in 5 minutes, which, I assumed, meant that you had really already made up your mind before visiting. But to be honest, while you have said that the admissions people seemed aloof, and the buildings were run down, and someone was cleaning vomit off a dorm floor (hey, at least it was being cleaned up), I had a quite a different experience.</p>

<p>The admissions officer that gave the presentation took an extra 15 minutes to chat with me about a variety of topics and seemed very informed, personable, and interested in our particular situation. Most of the buildings are old, but, I thought for the most part, well kept. Regarding Engineering in particular, the majority of buildings are quite modern, and the size and prestige of the engineering program, provide many research opportunities for undergraduates, which is an important consideration whether your son want’s to continue his education as a graduate, or get a job afterwards.</p>

<p>You mention that the price is high for engineering, and I agree, but its engineering program is one of the best in the world, exceeding many ivys and MIT in some areas. I think it’s fairly priced for all the expensive equipment that a good engineering program needs to properly educate its students.</p>

<p>As for the university’s overall campus feel, I was amazed at the fusion of the campus with the surrounding community. There also seem to be many opportunities for extracurricular activities given the number of student organizations, and the big “Quad Day” school year kick-off.</p>

<p>As for parking, that definitely is at a premium, but given the outstanding transportation system, there is really no need for a car. Just use a bus, bike, or your legs to get around. I hope you give it a 2nd look before deciding against it as an option for your son. After all, even the higher engineering tuition for an instate student has to compare favorably with OOS tuition, even with merit scholarships, and even if you don’t take into consideration the limited number of alternate engineering programs that compare favorably to that of Illinois.</p>

10

<p>^ As far as the price, (since I can’t locate the original post) I realize that you are definitely getting what you pay for and for Engineering that is a bargain. My thing with the price was that the general thought around here (in IL) is that going to an in-state flagship is cheap, many are surprised when they add up the total cost. In DSs case there are out of state options that seem to fit much better and are significantly more affordable. Again, to each his own - don’t mean to diss U of I, as I said before, many MANY in my town can’t get enough of it. We’re not originally from here, maybe it’s a midwest thing :)</p>

11

<p>You have to remember that U of I’s tuition is fixed for 4 years, so it can seem steep compared to the first year costs of other institutions, but those costs rise each year where U of I’s doesn’t. But without merit aid, I can’t see an OOS institution of the caliber of Illinois engineering/CS program being significantly more affordable, and without applying to U of I, you wouldn’t know the final price tag either. By the way, I value your opinion, it’s just that I wasn’t about to let you not explain the “five minutes…off the table” comment. I wish you and your son the best.</p>

12

<p>I’ve been to U of I three times, and its only been good for me. None of the times have I went with an official tour or anything, through. Still, it seems like a great campus. I’m visiting again this Saturday.</p>