My daughter is going to be applying to the U, her stats are 26 ACT (retaking, but not expecting a huge improvement as she has taken it 3 times and gotten a 26 each time, just with subsection scores). Her GPA is a 3.7UW/ 4.45 (W) and she is in the top 6-7% of her graduating class from high school (OOS - Illinois); 2 time captain of her varsity dance team (4 year member); and she is in every honor society and several clubs at her school as well (no leadership positions - not for lack of trying, just the “popular” kids get elected - lame). She will be applying to the CBS with her second choice being CLA. I realize CBS might be a stretch with her low ACT.
Anyway…she has an aunt that is on faculty at the U, her grandfather and great-father attended the U as well as several great-uncles. I know it says that these are secondary factors when considering an application but do you think it gives her an edge from being a maybe to a sure thing?
Thanks!
CBS will be a reach just given that those ACT #'s have been creeping up for that college; however, her stats are good enough for CLA. The legacy will help - not sure about the relative on faculty though it certainly won’t hurt. We do know someone on faculty whose kid was not admitted; however, in that particular case the UW GPA was just under 3.0. With your D’s stats (ACT low but GPA is good), the commendable EC’s and the legacy, she has a good shot at CLA at the minimum. Following are a couple of helpful links. The OIR data of actual enrollees (versus admits) will give you a more detailed breakdown of that ACT score distribution.
http://admissions.tc.umn.edu/academics/profile.html
http://www.oir.umn.edu/student/characteristics
Good luck to her!
@mamelot I was hoping you would comment. Your posts are always so helpful and positive.
She will have an improved shot at CBS if she can get her ACT up to 28 Composite and deliver science and math scores of 27 or higher. That’s the 25th percentile for enrolled students last year. Not that she doesn’t have a chance below those numbers because 25% of students enrolled were below a 28 Composite (and you never know whether that’s due to a hook of some sort or not).
Hopefully all the tables will be updated soon for the Fall 2016 entering class. Good to know the most current stats going into the application season.
@mamelot She has gotten 27 in math and science but on that test her English and Reading were low. On the test where her English and Reading were high her math and science were low…frustrating. I think she will be fine if she gets in to the CLA just would prefer CBS. I don’t know who this is more stressful on the parents are the students 