Do I even have a chance at UIUC?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign
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<p>I'm a junior in HS out of state in NJ and UIUC would be like a dream school for me for engineering.
My unweighted gpa is around a 3.4 and weighted is 3.6
Rank is around top 35% out of 300 something kids.</p>

<p>I didn't take that many honor courses only Spanish II H Freshman year and Alg 2 H Sophmore year. Now I take EMA Honors, Chinese 2H, Physics H, and AP Stats. So I guess they could possibly spot a gradual increase in the improvement of my grades and harder classes i take? (idk)</p>

<p>Some ECs:
I've been doing Marching Band for 2 Years and did Regular Band Class for 3 years.
Freshman year I played football and track.
I kind of got lazy sophmore year haha (I tried out for golf but did not make it.. hopefully i will this year; if not i will start spring track again).
Did Chinese Club for 3 years, and I'm participating in 2 other clubs (which don't really get credit till next year since its still being tested, but i do get service hours for being part of it). </p>

<p>I'm working on my SAT I Scores ATM and from my practice tests it results from 1900s-2000s. the PSAT practice test i got a 195. I want to get a 2150-2200 on my SAT I</p>

<p>and hopefully increase my gpa as much as i could possibly can.. so what are somethings that i should do compensate for my gpa/rank? chances?</p>

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<p>I think you’re improving and you have a chance. Keep taking as many honors and AP classes as you can, but also make sure you keep your GPA up with those classes. With a better GPA will come a higher class rank. I’d say you have a good chance, but you definitely have to work at it!</p>

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<p>thanks! it gives me a little more of a morale boost to help me push my self…
i know that even if i do improve it will still be difficult and uiuc would be a reach school for me…</p>

<p>but idk i would have to see how i do by the end of this jr year!</p>

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<p>as aklauss17 said, work on your grades and take the sat’s over again. just wondering, what part of nj are you from?</p>

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<p>hi, im from bergen county area. are you from nj as well?</p>

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<p>It may be a reach, but you definitely have a chance. Try taking the ACT, if you get a 34-36 on that then you’ll have a really good chance of getting into UIUC. It’s also good that you’ve started taking honors and AP classes, and I’m sure they’ll take into account that you’re making an active effort to improve your performance in the classroom. Keep your spirits high and write really good essays! And if you can, apply for priority decision, my counselor said that it increases your chances of making it in.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>