<p>Hello, I am currently a junior and a Nebraska resident. I have a 3.2 GPA, 3 AP classes currently in AP us history, and AP Lang and Comp. and i have tons of EC activities such as 3 sports every year, 1 time letter winner, and state participant in swimming. Another is volunteering this summer at the special olympic's. Right now i am looking at have above a 3.7 GPA my junior year, and hopefully a 4.0 my senior year. If i maintain high grades junior and senior year, will my screwing around freshman and sophomore year in which i took diff classes affect my chances? also i have not recieved my SAT results, or my ACT results back, but on the plan test i recieved a 27. Basically i am asking what are my chances of getting into University of Maryland College Park?</p>
<p>They always look for grades trending upwards. I seriously doubt that there are too many applicants from Nebraska, which should help you, but without near-perfect SAT or ACT scores, with your GPA it’s unlikely you would get any merit aid (unless you could get in w/ your swimming talent?). That may make the cost of OOS tuition unreasonable for you to consider, if you also consider the travel $$ back and forth to home. </p>
<p>Anyway, study like crazy to make sure your grades stay up. (by the time you apply, which should be by next year’s priority date…prob 11/01/10), you won’t have senior grades to look at. They get 1st semester grades later in the process, but mostly what they are looking at is where you ended up after Jr. Year (and if you are taking the “most challenging” classes your sr. year).</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Is that GPA w or uw? UW you are standing better. You need to get that ACT up (at least in the 30 marker) to offset the gpa. If your future gpa goal is realistic and you continue to take APs, then you have a great shot. They get it that kids will mess around their fresh/soph yr and light bulb comes on that college is a round the corner. Just keep moving forward and take the most advance classes you are eligible to take. </p>
<p>Astro is right Nebraska really helps you from an OOS standpoint. UMDCP wants to expand their national exposure, thus, accepting a Nebraska student over a slightly more qualified NJ/NY student fulfills their long term strategic goal, while keeping their stats (gpa, SAT/ACT) at the same level.</p>
<p>Also study for those AP’s because you will be able to opt out of many core courses if they are 4 or 5.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>I second bullet’s question about whether the GPA is weighted or unweighted.</p>
<p>An unweighted GPA of 3.2 is really not that bad, especially with an upward trend. If you continue to do well senior yr and submit good first semester grades, that will also give your application a boost. My friends in MD with 3.2 GPAs but with similar course loads (AP classes, honors, etc.) got into MD…and coming from Nebraska I think that’ll give you a boost. Additionally high AP scores/doing well in AP classes will look good too.</p>
<p>I don’t see merit aid as a possibility AT ALL, but in terms of getting in I think you have a really decent shot. Average grades and test scores, but strong ECs, I see a greater than 50% chance of getting in.</p>
<p>Thank you and yes i hope everything you are saying is true and my chances of getting into UMCP is achieved.</p>
<p>Oh and also what do you guys think i could do to improve my chances?</p>
<p>Get your ACT up, 27 is not a number for “def in” for OOS…</p>
<p>I have also just got my PSAT results back and i got in the 80th percentile with my score i think (not quite sure how to tell score) in the 1600’s is that okay? oh and i plan on doing much better on the SAT, and ACT taking prep classes, and I did not study for PSAT, homecoming was the night before</p>
<p>A 1600 out of 2400 is not a GO with a 3.2 gpa. Take the SAT over and over again this spring until you get a superscore of at least 1800. Nebraska is what really helps you, but 1600 with a 3.2 would not make you a match for IS, let alone OOS. If you get the planned 3.7 and 4.0, with strong AP classes(Gov, Eng., BIO/CHEM/PHYSICS), and at least 1800 than your odds will greatly increase to slight reach/match.</p>
<p>^I agree. 1600/2400 is pretty low for MD.</p>
<p>Even 1800 is not a “sure bet” kinda thing. Most people I know at MD got scores in the solid 600s on their SAT and 1800 is /just/ on the border. </p>
<p>But PSAT is definitely NOT indicative of how well you’ll do on the SAT. I did pretty badly on my PSAT but pulled a 2300 on the SAT. It’s ALL about studying (esp. the math and writing sections). Put your mind to it and I don’t doubt you’ll be able to raise your score a lot.</p>