<p>Before i start ranting, this is a little info about me.
GPA: Fresh-3.2 Soph-3.3 Junior- 3.7, (This current semester I will get a 3.85 )</p>
<p>ACT:22 (m-27, e-22, r-15, s-24, w-9)</p>
<p>List of colleges i want to go to in order:
University of Illinois Urbana (not even in my dream)
University of Illinois Chicago (Realistically my top choice)
Illinois Institute of Tech (maybe in my dream)
DePaul university
Loyola university</p>
<p>As you can see above, I do very poorly on my ACT. Its not that i didn't study or I'm straight up dumb, it't because im just bad at that type of test. Actually maybe im dumb when it comes to reading. That's is definitely my weakness. I'm glad that my major is more of math. And honestly, i think i could have done better in math, if i was currently in a pre-calc class. Im a junior in a adv alg class (I had a bad alg teacher during middle school so that's where a started in highschool). But I am taking precalc honors during senior year. Anyways, I want to go to UIC to study Computer Science, I think my GPA is decent but the ACT just lowers my chances by a lot. And i have to stay in the Illinois area, and there is know where else that has a good engineering program other than those school i listen. </p>
<p>Do i have any chance in any of those schools? I'm sorry for the constant repetitiveness of these types of questions.</p>
<p>And also, I have pretty good outside-school extra-curricular activities done. I’ve been making website for professional companies. Im also in engineering club. </p>
<p>You would be below the average in MATH ACT at Illinois Tech but I have known students admitted in your range. however, it really becomes a judgment call on the part of the Admissions Counselor. Your GPA is a plus and if you do well this year and next fall it may push you over. A bit of personal contact with the admission Office and are able to convince them of your determination that helps too. </p>
<p>The issue with UIC is that Computer Science is in the Engineering college. You would have no problem getting into LAS, but Engineering has the highest averages. Your ACT is very low for that college. Your GPA is reasonable for the school and there is a good trend. </p>
<p>Most schools focus on the composite ACT score instead of the score for each test. The composite score is where you take your best score in each subject and average them together after you have retaken the test. I would reccomend retaking the ACT, but put all of your studying effort into reading to bring up your composite score.</p>
<p>I know someone who made an 18, and was able to get into a great university. Her school offered a program for students who struggled with their ACT and provided them with a studying assistance program as well as more scholarships, so I would also look into that.</p>
<p>You should retake your ACT in September (unless you already took it 3 or 4 times), and prep seriously beforehand. Use Sparksnotes online and number2.com which provides exercises targeting your weaknesses. Then buy the Red Book of “real ACTs” and take tests, review where you made your mistakes, study those points and only those, retake another test, etc.</p>
<p>In order to improve your reading skills, it’s simple … read. Find great non fiction books, biographies, science or econ books, or a sweeping novel, or fantasy, whatever: the more you read, the better you read… Carry the book with you and every time you have to wait in line, pull out your book. Every time you are alone doing nothing, pull out your book. </p>
<p>You might get into all of them or some, but retaking the ACT and maybe trying the SAT is also a good option.
Getting in is one thing, being able to secure good scholarship and grants with that test score is a whole different story.
Best of luck to you.</p>
<p>If you retake them you can probably get into any of them. With how your standing now, I would say Urbana probably won’t accept you with your act where it is now.</p>