Feedback/thoughts on Stats and CS or CS+Lingustics at LAS? (Also alt. major of Atmospheric Sciences)

Chance Me / Match Me!
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(Moved from UIUC board to here)

Hello everyone!

Planning on applying to either Stats and CS or CS+Lingustics at the College of LAS at UIUC; which would be easier, if either, for me to get into? Also, would appreciate feedback for a potential alternate major of Atmospheric Sciences.

State: In-State (Illinois)

Unweighted GPA (Out of 4.0): 3.41
Weighted GPA (Out of 5.0): 3.89

Retook a math class at a community college so my new GPAs are:

Unweighted: 3.48
Weighted: 4.01

Grade Trend: Freshman and sophomore year were a bit rough, but had a fantastic junior year (nearly all A’s in AP classes)! Had personal issues that led to a tougher sophomore year, especially.

ACT: 30 (English: 31, Math: 26, Reading: 32, Science: 29, Writing: 33)

Course Rigor: Have taken 7 AP classes and will be taking 4 more senior year. Have also been in nearly all Honors courses.

Essays: Working on it now and making it as memorable as possible. Expecting it to turn out very well.

Extracurriculars:
Tennis for 3 years now (JV/Varsity)

Psychology Club

Societe Honoraire de Francais(French NHS)

NHS (60 hours)

Marching Band Section Leader

Concert/Pep Band

Worked one-on-one with a child who had autism my freshman year, and helped meet his educational needs (aided him in reading and writing, improved so much throughout the year!) (100 hours community service)

Teaching Assistant, and then a Teacher for a group of 4th-5th graders about Islamic History for two years.

Taught children of ages 5-14 skills they needed in terms of English and mathematics for their upcoming school year for two years (40 hours community service, a summer school-type program), was one of the student leaders of the program.

Have had a very strong upward trend in math grades, so I think that should help. I know my Math ACT is pulling me down, though, as well as my GPA.

Any feedback is appreciated; thank you!

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Bump. Any advice/thoughts at all are welcome.

3

Bump!

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I agree that your math ACT score needs improving if you want to do anything math related.

Don’t know if you know this. For UIUC admissions you get to pick 2 majors to be considered for. You are reviewed for first choice, if you are selected. That’s it. If not, you are considered for 2nd major, if selected, great. If not you are considered for DGS.

Pick what you want to major in.

If you haven’t signed up, I think you can still register for the Sept ACT with a late fee. If you are trying to meet the 1 Nov deadline, the Oct ACT is probably too late.

LAS is having an open house in Sept. Can’t remember the exact date.

Are you thinking of auditioning for the Marching Illini? If so, check their audition dates because they do their auditions in the spring. And they usually let you know before the 1 May decision day (unlike Alabama). If you show up to band camp and haven’t practice the music at all (and it shows), you could get cut at the end of camp. You could also audition for another ensemble, if your interested.

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@MerryLee Yep, I’m aware of how admissions to your majors work.

I’ll look into the ACT, for sure. Thinking that the Nov. 1st deadline is what I want to strive for. Will be attending the LAS Open House as well.

I have been heavily considering the Marching Illini, yes! As well as any concert bands I can do. Very interested and planning on continuing band in college. Thanks for the info regarding that; will look into it more!

As it stands, if i went with my current stats, would either of the CS majors be feasible?

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Unfortunately, I do not know. I don’t know how much of an impact the CoE CS overflow applicants effect the LAS CS+X applicants when it comes to the 2nd choice consideration. Meaning, if you don’t get your first choice, are you competing with CoE CS applicants who list that as their 2nd choice?

You could ask that question at their open house or email the LAS admissions person.

I’m assuming you have looked at the UIUC 2016 freshman profile where your 30 ACT score is in the middle 50% (27-32) for overall LAS with the comment at the top of the page that says “… Some programs may have admitted at a more competitive level.”

Random. UIUC is not cheap: $30k+/yr. Academic aid is very little. Have you had financial discussions with your family so you know how much money you have to work with?

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@MerryLee Yes, I’ve talked finances with my family. They said they’d be willing to pay for it; income is high enough, so it won’t make an impact. However, my options are still very open and have looked at other schools for backups, as well.

Yes, I have looked at the freshman profile, and understand I’m pretty much in the middle, if not a bit lower in it.

I’ll definitely email LAS about it then. Thanks for the help!