Desperate Chance me for The Ohio State University

Colleges and Universities A-Z Ohio State University
1

I just finished Junior Year and honestly, my main goal right now is to get into my state college which is The Ohio State University since it seems like the best option for my parents and I. My ACT is low and that’s one of the reasons I am worrying. Can you all give me an honest opinion if I can get into tOSU?

GPA: probably going to graduate with a 3.8/3.9 unweighted (4.2/3 weighted)

act: currently a 26 (I’m a terrible test taker and I’m still taking the ACT and honestly my goal right now is a 29/30)

Freshman Year:

All honors classes
Semester one: All A’s & one B+
Semester two: All A’s

Sophomore Year:

All Honors Classes & AP Psych
Semester one: All A’s & two B’s (one in AP class, one in Honors)
Semester two: undecided but so far all A’s

Junior Year (full diploma)

First semester:
IB History HL (B+)
IB English HL (B)
IB Biology HL (B+)
IB Music HL (A)
IB Math SL (B)
IB Spanish Ab Initio (A)
Theory of Knowledge (A)

Second Semester:
IB History HL (A-)
IB English HL (B+)
IB Biology HL (A-)
IB Music HL (A+)
IB Math SL (A-)
IB Spanish Ab Initio (A)
Theory of Knowledge (A)

my grades dropped a lot for the first semester of Junior Year because of starting work and also adjusting to Ib- probably going to include that in my essay or something

AP Classes & Score : Ap Psych (5)
-this is probably the only ap class i will take because i am doing full ib.

ExtraCurriculars So Far:

Peer Tutoring- Chinese and Math (9,10,11,12)
Spring Play -Violinist (9,10,11,12)
Speech team (10,11-district qualifier)
library volunteer teen (10,11,12)
Summer counselor in training (10,11,12)
Asian Club Vice President (9,10,11, 12)
Korean Club secretary (11, 12)
Music School (10,11,12)
Poetry Blog (10,11,12)
forming a music trio that plays monthly at nursing homes (11,12)
international club (11,12)
building bridges club - Co-President for Senior Year (10,11,12)
minds matters club (11,12)

Awards:
First honors all semesters
Outstanding achievements at Music School Recitals

work experience:
5 days/week -23 hrs/week (11,12)- Family Resturant

Race: Asian
Gender: Female
First generation: yes
School: competitive private
In U. S.
State: Ohio

2

I don’t know Ohio State that well, but I looked up some stats on it just now (not the authority you’re looking for, but I hope this helps).

Ohio State has a 54% acceptance rate, and probably more in-state. Their 25%ile ACT score is a 28, so you’re not much below that, especially if you can raise it a point or two. Your grades are good, maybe a lot of B’s first semester, but that’s not so bad considering that you’re taking full IB classes. You’re a first-generation college student, you’re involved in a lot of clubs and cultural activities, you have a job, and you go to a competitive private high school – those are all good things too!

Talk to your high school counselor and ask him/her what your chances are, but IMO, you should be fine. Make sure you apply by the early deadline and have a backup.

Good luck!!! :slight_smile:

3

Does your school use Naviance? That would be helpful to determine your likelihood of acceptance.

Are you prepping for your next ACT test? Do practice questions, but also make sure to take one or two timed practice tests before you take the next actual test. OSU does not superscore, so unfortunately you have to adequately prepare in every subsection.

First gen will help you at OSU, as will IB, as will working at the family restaurant…but you might limit the hours (if you can) you work first semester senior year so that you can get high grades.

Lastly, I suggest you apply EA (deadline is Nov 1, so Sept 8 will be the last ACT you can take)

Good luck!

4

If I remember correctly from my older D’s visits, if you don’t get into the main campus you could do 1 year at a regional and then transfer in. I think they had something like that for the instate students who might not get in initially. Two years ago my D was denied from OSU but we were OOS. If OSU is your dream school then as an instate student you probably have a good path to get in one way or the other.

5

The last two posters are correct about going to a regional campus and then transferring sophomore year. I think that 54% acceptance rate can be deceiving though…at our HS at least (which is in Columbus so tOSU is a goal for many), several kids with 27/28 ACT and all As and Bs did not get in. Also I’ll throw out there that your grades are great, maybe you should look at some test optional schools? You look like you could get some good merit offers.

6

OSU main campus is getting very competitive. Depending on your major, that 26 may be an issue. I agree though that you will most likely see at least an acceptance to one of the satellite campuses, and can transfer to Columbus later.

Talk to your school’s GC for a better idea of who is getting accepted from your high school and with what stats.

Also agree with post #4 in terms of not writing about your grade dip junior year. Use your essay to show and tell OSU why you will be a great addition to their campus.

7

You’re probably good. If you raise your ACT by 2 points you are seriously good. Do you need help with test prep? Ask yourself.

8

All replies I agree with.

You can learn to become a better test taker. If you already have a couple of languages and music under your belt, you can learn this as well. Preparing for the ACT is different than most tests. Look into taking a prep class. My three kids all had multiple point improvements : 4 points in two sittings, 8 points in three sittings, 3 points in three sittings but at the max.

My oldest D (median ACT) did regional campus for a year and actually qualified for scholarship at the regional (HS GPA 3.5, 5 APs, 28 ACT, athlete). She transferred to main with a 3.9 freshman GPA. She graduated in 5 years after a major change and working part-time (20-30 hours). She says in hindsight she should have focused on her studies and not worked as much. She also says she should have done the dorm route to get “the full college experience.”

Second (junior) and now the third (freshman this fall) are going through “the full college experience.” But this might be a conflict with your working. Unless you are going into restaurant management as a career, it might be time to take a hard look at this. I say this with 8 years of restaurant experience regret during my first two degrees.

Worst case (which is still pretty good) go to CSCC for a year or two and transfer in. You pay less. If you are having to work that much already, it might be better for you.

While OSU does not superscore, you can submit multiple scores and it can impact decisions once you are considered. There is a disclaimer that after your application date there is no guarantee it will be considered. So early action Nov 1st of your Senior year / this year, take the ACT’s after taking a ACT prep class by Sept., and take it once more after and if there is continued improvement submit before end of November.

Add in volunteering hours even if you have give up work/getting paid. Charities and Church causes round out an application.

You never mention if writing is your strength or not. Start your essay now and get as many non-family member eyes on it as possible. Hit your English teacher with it the first week of class. You will need a teacher references, keep in mind. Consider engaging a coach for developing your essays. I cannot stress this enough. You have one chance to ace the essays (read: make a resonating impression on your audience), give yourself every opportunity to do well here. Put as much effort and planning into the essay as you are doing in every thing else. Honing the (essay) writing skills more now will pay you back the rest of your life.

Remember to pay it forward eventually.

Best if luck!

9

Honestly, OSU is all over the place with accepting people. I know of people who got 26s on the act and a 3.5 and they get in but people who are so involved in school and get scores in the 30s and high gpas and they don’t get in. It’s so annoying. I heard OSU I started to look more into essays, so make sure you write a killer essay. I would take a college essay class, they are so helpful. Also for your grades they don’t look at each semester, just your overall grades for the whole year. I would recommend taking a good amount of challenging classes because that looks good. your act needs to be a little higher even thought a 26 is great. I would assume you would get in based on your stats and background, but osu is confusing so work as hard as you can and you should be okay.