<p>Okay, I'm actually a Junior: I'm just looking for input early. =P If I want to apply to attend in Fall 2012 and will send in my application as early as possible, and am in state, I was wondering if it's even worth applying with a 3.82 unweighted gpa (will probably go up, or at worst, not go any lower than 3.8) decent extracurriculars (NHS, tutoring 8th graders in writing since 10th grade, Marching Band all years, Forensics with a few trophies in impromptu speaking). </p>
<p>I have also been in Honors English since 9th grade (all A's there) and have taken Ap World History (got a 5 on the exam) and am taking the AP Gov, AP US history, and AP Euro history exams this May. There are no AP US or Euro classes at my school: I'm self-studying. Next year I will take AP Lit, AP CPS, and AP Econ, all as classes. I am also in German and Spanish, if that looks good, I don't know...my public school is decidedly average and most people don't have two foreign languages.</p>
<p>Now, the big bummer: my ACT is a 25. I'm taking it at least two more times, trying to get it up to at least a 27-28, but I realize even those would be on the very low end. If I can't raise my ACT or can only raise it to those scores, is it worth applying to this school? Sorry for the long paragraph.</p>
<p>I would suggest you apply EA and try to get your ACT score up as you suggest. My daughter was accepted two years ago with a 27 and around 3.8 UW GPA so it’s definitely possible especially if you have an upward trend with your grades (i.e. all A’s since freshman or sophomore year).</p>
<p>Kdog, two years is a long time ago. Michigan received 30,000 applications 2 years ago. They received 38,000 this year and is expecting 45,000 next year. Students who got in two years ago would not necessarily get in next year. </p>
<p>To the OP, you have done well at school and taken a challenging course load. You also have solid ECs and you are in-state. Write good essays and make sure you choose Teachers who would write excellent recommendations. Finally, apply EA.</p>
<p>This said, you really should try to improve your ACT to at least 28.</p>
<p>I’m not sure where you are from or if you are IS or OOS. It is definitely possible to be admitted with an ACT score of 25. I know of students who have been admitted with a 25and with scores as low as 24. If you can increase your GPA to above a 3.9 that would help. Your course rigor is good. Some on the decision is also likely based on what U-M thinks of your high school.</p>
<p>Try not to let the ACT ruin your life. There are some excellent students who just do not do well on it. Definitely look for safeties because although U-M is within reach it is still a reach especially if you’re OOS. Indiana and MSU are good safeties for you.</p>
<p>I’m in state. According to the last few practice tests I’ve been doing from the red book, I got a 36 reading, 29 english, 25 science…18 math. Which comes out to 27 over all. If my math had actually stayed at its previous level for EVERY OTHER PRACTICE/REAL ACT TEST (the still atrocious 20) that would be a 28. No matter my composite, do you guys think my chances of admission are significantly worse with a bad math score? I’d be applying LSA, not engineering or anything…</p>
<p>Sadly, that just doesn’t sound realistic. I’ve been bad at math all my life…Geometry gave me lots of trouble as a freshman but I’ve gotten all A’s in Algebra I and II. I’ll keep practicing. =P</p>
<p>acunningspecimen, I agree with MLD. I think your doing poorly on the mathematics portion of the test is a self-imposed limitation. ACT Math is basic and you do not have to be good at math to do well in it. Again, I am not suggesting that you get a 30, but at least a 25.</p>
<p>Some people just struggle with these tests. It is hard to understand if you are a good test taker how another student isn’t. You can’t improve your test score by having someone on cc telling you to do so.</p>
<p>It may help to take some more practice tests but it seems like you have practiced a lot. A tutor may be able to help improve your test taking strategies. Most important is to not let these tests get the best of you.</p>
<p>I agree with everything rep isa said. Maybe a tutor can help you with the basic math stuff you need to be good at. Try not to stress yourself out too much!</p>
<p>I agree res ipsa, but the OP aced the reading the section and did well on the other two sections. I think that with practice, he can also do well on the Math section.</p>
<p>I had never taken a multiple choice math test before the ACT, and that threw me off some at first-- multiple choice is not always easy. I’d also never taken a test where I didn’t get partial credit for correct work (up until the mistake was made.) However, I have a math LD and had a seventh grade math level at the time that I took the ACT, and I still managed to get a 29 composite score-- so if you can bolster your other sections as much as possible and study hard for that math section, I think you can do better. I had a bad stomachache that day and choked on the writing section because of it and I think I could have easily gotten into the 30s under better circumstances. Math being freaking hard is not something that is foreign to me like other posters here, obviously, but I wouldn’t count yourself out just yet if someone like me could do it. Consider taking a prep class if you can, I did and it was helpful just for the access to practice tests and the textbook if nothing else-- the textbook went exhaustively from elementary school math all the way up so that you could review as much or as little as you needed to.</p>
<p>If the OP has difficulty with numbers, perhaps he should inform universities about it. In every other way, he has a very strong record and his problem with Math should not be held against him.</p>
<p>I suggest trying the SAT. My D, who is better at math than verbal, was told to take the ACT. As it turns out, her scores were probably considered comparable, but she did get a 36 on Math (and no 800 on Math SAT).</p>
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