<p>So I consider myself a bit of a "turn-around" student, I began with a 2.0 GPA freshman/sophomore year and 3.5 last year. Leaving me at a 2.75 (%45) right now, I hope I can edge to at least a 3.1 by the of Senior year, I'm holding a 3.9 right now. I am on course to get the DAP Distinguished Academic Plan, I have a 1650 (1100 comp.) SAT, and 25 ACT, yes I know, far from automatic acceptance.</p>
<p>I am semi active in high school I participate in DECA and have been in the Cross Country Team for the last two years, I also had a summer intern at an MIS firm. I am not exactly sure how extra curriculars come into play at UTD. I am interested in majoring in Political Science and, or business can someone please let me know what my chances for Admissions to the School of Management are?</p>
<p>UT Dallas seems to be fairly lenient with poor grades at the beginning of high school, at least in my experience–I had some circumstances my freshman year (attending a school notorious for its difficulty with most college admissions counselors I’ve met, nasty divorce, moved and switched schools mid-year, custody change at the end of the year, moved and switched schools again) so my grades from that year were awful. Although I’ve since made them up, I failed two classes. I didn’t explain the circumstances to UT, though: they just accepted me anyhow.
That said, I was very close to automatic acceptance: 3.5 GPA (weighted!) and 31 ACT, many AP courses, and my intended major isn’t as popular as political science or business. (Neuroscience, anyone?)</p>
<p>If there were any circumstances which caused your low grades your freshman and sophomore years, tell them, but don’t focus on it’s-not-my-fault-those-years-were-bad. Blaming something or somewhere else gets you nowhere with the admissions counselor. If there weren’t any good reasons for your performance, don’t stress about that, though. Just emphasize how well you’re doing now. Your extracurriculars will probably help, especially the internship, since you are thinking of going into business. If you’ve taken any honors or AP courses that’ll work in your favor, too.</p>
<p>Best of luck! I’ve heard fantastic things about UT Dallas’s School of Management!</p>
<p>Thanks for your response, I will probably be meeting with one of the counselors their shortly, and I’ll hope they see it the same way as they saw yours.</p>