Is UI a good fit for me?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Iowa
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<p>I have a 4.2 GPA out of a 5.0 scale (weighted)
- I have a 29 on my ACT score
- I'm REALLY involved in my school. I'm part of 8 clubs, not including Track and Field (JV... not a good runner.. regardless)
I'm also on two executive boards, one the National Honor Society
- I'm going to study science... most likely Biology, and go pre-med
- I'm the type of person who studies hard. I do my work, BUT I do like to relax/have fun/go out with friends after I'm done with a hard week. I don't plan on going crazy in college because I'm not into the whole crazy party scene. I know people say that all the time, but I'm not the kind of person to party hard. I'd rather go to a party for a little, then hang out with my close friends after and chill with them.
- I hate being competitive. I do better when other people don't ask me what my ACT, test score, lap-time, etc. are. I don't like that attitude towards life. However, a little competition wouldn't hurt. I know all schools are competitive, but I need a school that doesn't shove competition down my throat.
- I am not preppy and don't care about what brands people are wearing or where their from. I don't want to look beautiful all the time. Some people are obsessed with being perfect: perfect body, perfect image, perfect boyfriend/girlfriend, etc. I don't care. I dont want to be around other people like that. I want to be myself and I want to surround myself with people who are confident in who they are. I do care about image in terms of being respectable though. Again, I know that no matter where I go, there are going to be people like that everywhere, but if there's a school that has a little less of that, I would go there for sure.</p>

<p>so that being said... is UI a good fit for me?</p>

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<p>Esther111, congratulations on a healthy degree of self-awareness.</p>

<p>My son is finishing up at Iowa in biomedical engineering. I’d say his profile is a lot like yours and he’s been happy there all four years. In fact he never actually came HOME for the summers. He’s effectively been there the whole time.</p>

<p>I suggest you do the following:

  1. visit the school. Ask your admissions counselor if s/he can arrange an overnight shadowing experience. It’s not standard practice but they do it. This will give you a first-hand view of the culture on campus.
  2. petition for admission to their Honors Program if you aren’t accepted at time of admission
  3. live in an Honors dorm your first year. This will set you up with friends of a similar mindset.</p>

<p>You will not find Iowa remotely preppy or conformist - unless you go Greek, of course. It’s a progressive, accepting environment. It’s big and there’s a place for everyone.</p>

<p>Best of luck.</p>