Hello, I am in-state and in my recent search for colleges, UMASS has received my attention, specifically the honors college. I am greatly considering UMASS because it seems like a great fit for me, and I would really like to be accepted into the honors college. I have a 2010 superscored SAT with a 750 Math 650 CR and 610 W. My UW GPA is around a 3.5, with all honors+AP classes, which, when weighted, would be around 4.1. I scored 750 on the Chemistry subject test, and scored a 4 on the AP test. On naviance, my stats are very competitive for admission, which I am confident I will receive. However, I would really like to be accepted into the honors college as well. I am wondering if my stats would be competitive for admission into the honors college, and if applying EA would improve my chances at the honors college. Thank you!
Hi, I’ll give you some input on stats but understand that everyone is different and brings their own special talents so those should always be added into the mix when applying.
According to the information you provided, it’s not a guarantee but I think you have a strong CHANCE of getting into the Commonwealth Honors College (CHS). Although, the competition is keen here and the bar seems to rise every year. CHS has become much more attractive/popular since they built the new buildings. Your GPA looks a little low, so work on that! They do go through all gpa’s and recalculate so everyone is on an even 4.0 judgment. Then they add on rigor of academics. You also need to be near the top of the class, top 10% is a safer spot, so find out where you stand. A 3.5 gpa unweighted is not safe at all for CHS so consider what you do to bring that up. CHS is worth it as It’s a wonderful campus within the campus, great facilities, great advising, interesting classes and Residential Academic Programs, smart people at the top of their class, and some wonderful opportunities offered only to honors students. It seems like just a good place to be.
My D was accepted with a strong record of all Honors and 5 APs (AP Scholar with Distinction), 4.2 GPA (w), top 10%/#8, 31 ACT, 740 U.S. History. I’m not going to add her ECs but there were lots, including a team captain. She also wrote a unique and colorful essay. All these things add up but at a large school like UMass Amherst, the numbers are a huge part of the equation.
Keep working! It looks like you’re within reach. Best of Luck!
@Actor123 Thanks for the input. When I visited UMass I was under the impression they weighted everyone’s GPA’s? Because my GPA was a tad low this year because I took the most rigorous schedule possible (W/o APUSH lol). When weighted, my GPA is around a 4.05, which puts me in the ballpark, no?
My understanding is that class rank is also a factor in CHC admissions. Must be in top 10%. My D is a rising freshman in Isenberg and CHC. Just to give you an idea of stats: she had a 2000 SAT score, 770 on US History SAT, 5 on APUSH and 4 on AP English Lang, 4.1 w gpa. Out of a class of about 225, we think her rank was #12.
Good luck!!!
@ConfusedMominMA Congrats to your daughter! I am also planning on applying to Isenberg. My Superscored SAT is around the same, a 2010. All of my stats are quite similar to your daughter’s, which has me excited for my chances. My high school does not rank our students, so I only assume UMass must disregard that aspect for me?
I don’t know. Our school says they don’t rank, but they must in order to figure out Valedictorian, etc and they have a special breakfast or something for the top 10 in the class. So they may not publish it but I think they figure it out.
Good luck! Isenberg is really improving the last few years!t They told us last year they couldn’t believe it but they are rejecting ppl with 3.5, 3.6 gpas. Average is now 3.9!
From what I’ve heard at UMass, admissions recalculates all students’ GPAs to view everyone evenly on an unweighted GPA. Once they do that they then add in rigor for honors and AP classes. If you’ve taken the highest or reasonable rigor allowed at your school, you should do well. Once everything is evened out, I believe they then publish their admissions numbers with the original weighted stats too. Confusing, but not unusual for competitive admissions process.
The numbers mentioned (3.9) in the last reply are accurate for Isenberg on the weighted scale, so that looks very good for you. It is getting more and more difficult to be accepted each year, and deservingly so. For CHC, they have published weighted numbers also and the average accepted students have a 4.24 GPA, 1359 CR & M SAT, 31 ACT, and in the top 4.1% of their class. Those are pretty great stats but keep in mind, that’s “accepted” students. Once they calculate actual “enrolled” students, those numbers come down some, so there is a range below (and above) to consider. I would say that you are in the range and likely, but not safe. (Note: these numbers change every year as it is dependent on those who apply to UMass. There is no separate application to CHC, they just choose the top and invite them to join.)
Numbers count for a lot at big universities, however, they are human too and there are always exceptions to the rule. Not that you are an exception with a 4.05 as that should be celebrated by anyone, but it never hurts to add a great essay, find your outstanding ECs, and stand out. (Also, ask for your guidance dept. for your rank but be firm about it, or have your parent ask for it. Our school does not publish rank either but you can get it if you really want to.) Send your AP scores, a 4 on AP Chem is great. You are on the right track, and you care, so keep going. UMass Amherst/CHC is a wonderful opportunity and I wish you the best of luck.
@Actor123 Thank you!!