<p>In state white female. U of I is my second choice after Wisconsin.</p>
<p>ACT: 25 (took twice, got the same both times. Math brought down my score considerably.)
GPA: 3.8 UW, not sure about weighted
Senior year courses:
AP Lit
AP Lang,
College Prep chem
Econ
Anatomy
2 psych classes
Diversity studies
an art class
Film studies
A literature class</p>
<p>Past year classes: I took honors English whenever available, took French up to level four, I took this rigourous, year long class (only class at my school that is year long cuz of block schedule so the class is actually two years worth of material) which combines American history and American literature. I tried to pick challenging electives like a computer class and business class.</p>
<p>Activities:
Guitar lessons (not through my school) 4 years
NHS- 2 years
Scholastic Bowl- 1 year (senior year. Didn't find out about it till this year)
High School Democrats-1 year (senior year). Helped found it this year so it only just started. Does that add to my application much?
A did this film camp at WIU last summer, should I include that or no?</p>
<p>Other: One parent only has a high school diploma, the other has an Associate's degree but it working towards her Bachelor's right now. We're pretty poor, by FAFSA's standards, making almost $30,000 a year. I've heard that sometimes that factors into consideration. </p>
<p>Your ACT is below the middle 50% of applicants(26-30). Your unweighted GPA, however, is impressive and signifies mostly As and a few Bs on your transcript. Although UIUC values standardized test scores far more. Therefore, you have a slight chance of admission. Consider it a reach.</p>
<p>I can assure you criket0206, that they do not value test scores any more than GPA. If the application review were that simple, decisions could be made on the spot. The application is reviewed as a whole, with GPA as critical as, if not more critical than a 3 hour test score. The rigor of the courses that you took, as compared to what was offered at your school is also looked at. If your school offers a lot of AP courses and you took some, that’s considered more favorably than whether your GPA was attained through avoiding them. How you did in comparison to other students in your school is considered, as is how students from your school have fared in the past at U of I. Your extracurriculars, writing samples and personal statement are reviewed, and your family situation is considered. Lastly, your application is considered against the pool of applicants with similar program interests. You’re considered a first generation college student since neither parent has a 4 year degree. Your 25 ACT Composite is a little low, but with your GPA, you will be competitive for at least general university admission and DGS (Division of General Studies). What you get on CC are opinions. Take everything here with a grain of salt, and always consider the source. </p>
<p>You won’t know unless you apply, so I’d recommend applying. I’d consider you at most a slight reach for DGS. You don’t specify a program that interests you, so I really can’t weigh your chances other than for DGS, but I can say that you should apply for the program(s) of your choice as you are automatically considered for DGS otherwise. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks I was thinking it was not right that they would consider test scores more than GPA and yeah I’m not exactly sure what I want to major in yet and my possible majors aren’t in the same school so I’ll probably just do DGS</p>
<p>UW Madison, not a chance. UIUC tough call. My daughter has met so many students with over 4.0 and 33 ACT or higher, but she also has met a few with a 24 ACT. My daughter did not take any AP classes and two honor classes. She had a 3.5 and 30 ACT and she got into LAS. UIUC favors solid students. And they look at both ACT and grades, actually more grades than ACT. I know this for a fact. Many of her friends denied to UW Madison with 3.8 and higher and 32 ACTs. Good luck! </p>
<p>I don’t reply a lot to the chance me posts. However, I would just add here that according to collegedata.com, average ACT scores for UIUC and UW Madison admitted students are about identical. So, it would seem to me your chance at either school would be similar. @Balthezar has got it right – no way to know for sure unless you apply. Good luck! </p>
<p>Not true at all, UW has about a billion more in endowment money. I went to UW and my nieces and nephew live in WI and with 4.0 and 26 ACT hard to get admitted. I am legacy and my daughters 3.5 and 30 ACT rejected last year. SHe did get into UIUC. They are not hard up for OOS tuition. Again, you never know. My personal opinion of going through this process twice you have a better chance at UIUC than UW but of course apply to both. Also, my daughter accepted U Minnesota and Ohio State, was bummed about UW Madison but I thought same as you she has a better chance at UW, I was wrong. Instate tuition is great though for UIUC. Also my daughter has little EA and no AP classes. I really think you will get in to UIUC. Oops you said same thing, yes UIUC no UW Madison but apply to both!!!</p>