<p>I'm a current junior at a prep school in SE PA. I didn't take school seriously until this year. I will address that in my college essay. Will colleges notice my upward trend, and will is sway them into a decision? Should I apply as early as possible if schools have rolling admissions?</p>
<p>My Cumulative GPA going into my senior year will be around 2.95-3.05 (Will continue getting good grades senior year)</p>
<p>Have not taken the SAT or ACT yet, my guidance counselor thinks i'll do better on the ACT though. Because of my science and math grades.</p>
<p>PSAT: 187</p>
<p>Awards: 9th Grade Academic Achievement award in Programming, 10th grade JV hockey all star, JV hockey coaches award</p>
<p>Leadership: Head of Programming robotics team, elected class officer for next year.</p>
<p>ECs: FIRST Robotics, academic competition, March for Life club, varsity ice hockey(11-12), Theatre Society, stock market club, intramural soccer and volleyball, Club ice hockey, eBay powerseller, jv lacrosse (9-10), and 250+ hours of community service.</p>
<p>Other Schools Im Considering:
Drexel
Temple
Pitt
PSU (Summer Session)
Fairfield
Hofstra
Purdue
Northeastern
Syracuse
Boston University</p>
<p>It would be a stretch for an out of state student with your GPA. You should really spent time preparing for your ACT (or SAT)…a PSAT of 187 roughly equates to an 1870, which would also be low for OOS admit to UMD. If you are accepted, you likely would not get any merit aid with your GPA, so I would suggest that you apply knowing that you’d probably be paying full OOS price if you are accepted. There are several people who are disappointed this year because they were accepted to UMD, but are finding that it is too expensive OOS to attend. UMD is notoriously bad for financial aid for OOS students, as well.</p>
<p>Keep focused on your grades, any ad com will be much more accepting of a lower GPA if they are confident that you’ve turned things around. Make sure you pick people to write letters of recommendation who will talk about your maturity now. Good luck.</p>
<p>Definitely try for ACT. 3.05 isn’t great for OOS, and the projected 1870 is low as well. When you explain your GPA in your essay, make sure it doesn’t come across as blaming others/asking for sympathy. Highlight how you’ve grown up and improved. I found ACT to be a lot easier, so you should definitely sign up for the next available date.</p>
<p>Unless you can play Division I sports, or your family is likely to renovate the chemistry labs, it’s pretty darn unlikely you’re going to be in that 4% next year.</p>
<p>I agree with Sikorsky, Laxdude. However, in looking at Augmented’s stats, one major difference is that s/he is in-state. I maintain that you may as well apply, but realize that UMD is a “reach” for you, no question.</p>
<p>If you apply to Maryland, be sure to apply by the priority deadline, which is November 1. They may defer you from the early pool of applicants, in anticipation of your first semester senior grades. You should make every effort to explain what happened freshman and sophomore years, and point to the rebound of your junior year. If your first semester senior grades hold up, and you can improve your SAT moderately, you may be accepted.</p>
<p>My understanding is that a low GPA isn’t good, but that a low, but improving GPA (over junior and senior years) can be overcome. Good luck to you.</p>
<p>Astrophysicsmom and Notjoe raise very good points. </p>
<p>To add, let me expand on the OOS issue for you since you are from PA. For many years, a large majority of OOS students have come from the NY/NJ/PA corridor. In an effort to expand the geographic diversity, students applying from the NY/NJ/PA corridor are now meeting with higher admission/more selective standards. In other words, it is going to be even harder for you to get in. </p>
<p>Listen to Notjoe and make sure to apply by the priority deadline (Nov 1 - it is not early decision, so no fear of commitment) to have your best chance (the majority of the freshman class is chosen from the priority application pool - upwards of 70-80% if I recall correctly). </p>
<p>Do your best and give your schoolwork everything you’ve got. As for standardized testing, understand that the ACT is a composite score that includes two “English” components - one of which is reading comprehension, which, frankly, has the most boring possible things they can find. So, yes, it is more of an equalizer for math/science people compared to the SAT which has two English components but only one math. However, even if you do stand out on math and science on the ACT, DON’T ignore the other parts, because ALL parts are counted for the composite score. The composite score (not just math and science) is what is considered by UMD. </p>
<p>FYI, on the SAT’s, Maryland does “equalize” the parts because they only look at the English and Math sections, and do not consider the writing section. So, something to think about. </p>
<p>Also, talk to teachers this year about letters of recommendation for next year so that they have the summer to work on it.</p>
<p>Wasn’t trying to hurt your feelings buddy. Our stats aren’t that similar either. I’ll be 0.6 higher than you and my SAT scores are a good bit higher than yours. UMD will be a reach school for me as my GPA is rather low. As I’m higher than you in both of those and I’m in-state I doubted you’d get in. Once again I’m sorry if I’ve offended you.</p>
<p>“I’ll be graduating with around a 3.07 unweighted and a 3.8 weighted.”</p>
<p>That was a quote from one of your other threads, I will also be breaking 2000 more than likely aswell.</p>
<p>I guess if were similar and you live in state they would take you over me. However, due to looming budget cuts to the university such as California and other schools, they may be willing to accept more out of staters because the tuition is higher.</p>
<p>Nonresidents make up more than half the university’s tuition revenue. “We’re dependent on the 24 percent to balance the budget,” said John Blair, the university’s director of budget and fiscal analysis.</p>
<p>For every 1,000 in-state students enrolled instead of out-of-state students, the university loses $15 million, Blair said</p>
<p>You clearly don’t wanna hear anything less than positive, so why did you bother asking?</p>
<p>Maryland is a high reach for you, period, regardless of Augmented’s stats. Just because OOS students pay higher fees does not mean it’s easier to get in. It’s far easier to get in in-state, and you can look at results threads for pretty much every state school out there in case you don’t believe me.</p>
<p>I’m sorry if this is harsh, but attacking the users that are trying to help you will get us nowhere.</p>
<p>Please don’t misquote me. That is extremely unprofessional and I can only interpret it as a form of slander. “I barely broke 2000, but I’ll be retaking the test soon enough and expect to be breaking 2100” Even if I don’t improve, I’m still 150 points+ above you. </p>
<p>This isn’t a competition between us. I didn’t include my stats, you brought them up. I’m not happy with my scores. Maryland is still a reach for me, even if I do break 2100. </p>
<p>Being in-state is a big help. I don’t know if you’re ignorant of that or you just attempted to manipulate data to support your argument.</p>
<p>I’m not here to fight with you. Why would you post a thread here if you didn’t want opinions? Last time I checked you aren’t here for unconditional positive regard. Why do my scores matter at all? Are you in direct competition with me? You aren’t emotionally ready for college if this is how you respond to comments that don’t agree with you.</p>
