<p>I am very interested in UMDCP but am not sure about my chances.</p>
<p>I've taken 2 honors classes (English and math)
I have a 24 on my ACT
A 2.75 junior year
Hoping to get a 3.4-5 this semester.</p>
<p>I've been in environmental club(2 yrs)
peer leadership (4yrs)
spirit club (2yrs)
mock trial (1yr)
Looking to get leadership positions this year.
I've had a few jobs at once while going to school.
Volunteered with autistic children.
Here's the kicker Ive been published in a medical journal from John Hopkins.
I'm a recognized epilepsy advocate of 2yrs and have been invited to speak at Washington DC for the cause.</p>
<p>I am OOS from NJ and I know my scores are low but I was diagnosed with epilepsy after years of unexplained seizures which ended me in the hospital for weeks and being homeschooled for a year. I also battle depression which would be the basis of my essay, how I overcame the illness and still battle with it but am pushing forward. </p>
<p>I'm applying EA and to the English department. I'm getting letters of reccomendation from my Dr at John Hopkins my English teacher and guidance counsler.</p>
<p>I'm also the first girl in my family to graduate high school if that helps.</p>
<p>Do you guys think my ECs and essay will be able to help my chances? I'm aiming for a 4.0 this year to show that I am dedicated and constantly improving and recovering.</p>
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<p>It seems like you’ve been through a lot, but good job for setting high goals for yourself. Unfortunately, I don’t see how you could get into UMD. UMD is very score-driven and neither your GPA nor ACT scores are anywhere near par. Do you know what your cumulative GPA is? Also, most UMD students took mainly honors and some AP courses in high school, so your courseload was a bit easier. Don’t quote me on this, but because UMD receives so many applications, I feel like they have an absolute minimum GPA and SAT/ACT that they would accept and if someone does not meet those standards, then they are automatically tossed out. If you were in the bottom 25% of the stats of the current freshmen, then they would probably take into account what you’ve been through, but with your current stats, which are well below even the bottom 25%, I doubt that you’d be considered. And being from NJ doesn’t help at all since UMD receives a large number of applicants from NJ and NY. If you could really get your ACT or SAT up to say 30+ or 1350/1600 and your cumulative GPA is 3.2+, then you may have a chance, but again, very doubtful.</p>
<p>Currently, I would say totalcollapse is completely on the mark with what they posted.</p>
<p>The only place I would disagree with is the bottom line gpa needed. UMD wants diversity and the best students within the areas of diversity. They have so many students applying from NJ/NY that many times those students stats are much higher than for someone from Oklahoma. They don’t want just all of their OOS to be from NJ/NY. Thus, the gpa min is probably not a hard and fast rule. Also, not to insult the football or basketball players, but UMDCP does not expect them to be the class valedictorian, they are also getting in because of their athletic abilities.</p>
<p>Being the 1st to graduate from HS is a major accomplishment, but it isn’t a hook compared to being a URM.</p>