<p>I checked my application status today, and it said "Not Accepted". I took a risk on the personal letter, and used my common app essay. The essay is about a profound experience I had with a host family I had while on an exchange program in Spain. I didn't write a generic essay about my goals at the University. I have a 26 ACT and a 2.7 GPA. I attend a rigorous Chicago area independent school. Help?</p>
<p>Hi dschur, I am sorry to hear that. Did you figure out your RAI score, for oos at least 255? You have the ACT score, did you take any AP’s or IB’s?
Brush it off, keep positive.</p>
<p>my school doesn’t rank so i wouldn’t have an appropriate RAI score. I am taking AP Spanish. I applied to several other colleges but I was counting on Iowa</p>
<p>DSchur…if you decide you still want to pursue Iowa admissions, you could contact the admissions office to see if there is any appeal process. I am guessing your GPA may be the issue. I would have the information at your fingertips regarding the classes you took vs. what Iowa requires, and I’d have some data available if you think you can make a case that the average GPA at your high school is much lower than many other schools. </p>
<p>Regardless, there are a ton of wonderful schools out there, and a school for everyone…good luck!</p>
<p>I’m sorry 
it is probably your gpa you should definitely contact them to see if they have an appeal process if you really want to go.</p>
<p>Definitely call about the appeal.</p>
<p>Estimate your class rank at 50 when calculating RAI. It’s not a huge factor so if you’re off by 5-10% that shouldn’t matter much. The largest component of RAI is “5 x the number of college prep courses.” If you’ve taken a full load of college prep - doesn’t matter if they’re AP, sorry - this number will be large, like 100 or more. It would need to be to get past your GPA’s contribution.</p>