<p>Gender: Male
Ethnicity: White/Caucasian
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Hooks: None, unfortunately
UW GPA: 3.046
W GPA: 3.097
ACT Composite: 27 (35E, 22M, 27R, 23S)
Class Rank: Top 42%
AP/Honors Classes: Honors US History, Honors English 10, AP English Lang, AP Psychology, Honors Chemistry, Honors Algebra 2, Honors Physics, AP Spanish Lang
(I'm taking Economics, English, and History at a local CC senior year)</p>
<p>EC's: UW-Madison Residential Sci. Program, 2008; Cross Country Running, 7th-12th grade; Track & Field. 9th-11th Grade; Fall Musical, 10th-12th Grade; Peer Tutors, Spanish & Chemistry, 10th-12th Grade; Part Time Job @ Target, 25 hours per week, 11th-12th grade; Positive Role Models, Exec. Chairman and Leader of an anti-alcohol event; Student Ambassadors, one year (9); Band; Trumpet; 9th-10th grade; 3rd Chair; Jazz Ensemble, Keyboard, many improv. solos; Big Brothers and Sisters; 9th-11th grade</p>
<p>Hey, thanks for the reply. =] Atleast there’s a chance, even if it’s minimal.</p>
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<p>My parents won’t let me. They think I’m fine with a 27. We’ve had multiple arguments over this, and quite frankly, I never won and I never will. =[</p>
<p>Illinois is my second choice, and since my first choice (madison) is such a remarkable reach, Illinois is “essentially” my first choice. (even though it’s a reach too.) Is there any way I can show the people in admissions that I’m not the steryotypical “slacker type” or “below average” student that my GPA suggests? I’ve had a lot of trouble in Math and despite my willingess to learn it, I just can’t grasp many of the concepts.</p>
<p>More to the point though, is there anything I can do at this point, period? or is it too late…? I just really want that big envelope…</p>
<p>And BTW, my first choice college at U of I is DGS. If that means anything.</p>
<p>You’re a very qualified UIUC applicant with the exception of the class rank. In your case, it’s going to come down to the essays. Get started on them immediately, and let the interesting part of your personality come through. In the “Essay #1,” emphasize your skills in English. Focus on your strengths.</p>
<p>It’s definitely not too late. Your essays just have to be really, REALLY good.</p>
<p>I haven’t started those yet, but I guess I should.</p>
<p>I found the essays online… but they look like the ones from last year. (they were in ‘freshman admission requirements’) Do they stay the same every year?</p>
<p>2009 Division of General Studies Middle 50%'s:
ACT: 25-30 (you’re right on target here)
RANK: 82nd-94th (you’re not in this, but you’re still basically top 40%)</p>
<p>You have hard classes, dual enrollment, good EC’s…</p>
<p>If you took 4 years of everything, and you apply to DGS as your 1st choice and LAS as your second, write damn good essays, indicate an interest in an english related major, AND submit your application in the first few days it’s available, It’ll be what i’d consider “50-50.”</p>
<p>EDIT: I’m from the same area as you, and Madison was my first choice too (and where I went), but now I wish I picked Illinois. Be sure to visit both.</p>
<p>You will get in, I know someone who is almost exactly like you who got in a couple of years ago. Then again, that was a few years ago and public schools are now more selective.
He had a lot of e.c. activities, was amazing at essays, and he got a 35 on the essay section too. He had a little bit more AP courses than you, but his ranking was way back.</p>
<p>Just curious as to why people state I’mOnABoat has a decent chance at getting into U of I. Maybe it is because I am instate? In my school the average accepted GPA is a 4.0 to U of I. That being said, I am looking at my high school’s scattergram for the acceptance history for the last 3 years and I see 5 out of 556 people get accepted with a 3.0 GPA or below. Good luck.</p>
<p>You are a reach. Be aware that last year less than 5% of those admitted were below top 25% of their class. Good essays may help but it is still a significant reach. Not sure why you have ruled out Madison, particularly when you consider the tuition reciprocity if you are lucky enough to get in.</p>