<p>Hello, I am wondering what are my chances in being accepted in the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. I am unsure due to my not so perfect grades. I also do not have many sources to help me with this discussion:</p>
<ol>
<li>My parents never went to college; they do not know what to make of my grades.</li>
<li>I am not on good terms with my counselor; and even if I am, they are also on summer vacation.</li>
</ol>
<p>ACT: 25 (24, 29, 22, 26, 10)
GPA: 3.85 Weighted
APs: 10th: APWH 3; 11th: Currently Waiting next to my mailbox for the scores to come in.</p>
<p>Classes:
9th Grade:
Honors Geography
Honors Physical Science
Honors English 9
Project Lead the Way: Introduction to Engineering (Sadly not weighted at the time)
Geometry and Algebra 2 (I was able to double up two math courses in the same year)
Spanish 1</p>
<p>10th Grade:
AP World History
Project Lead the Way: Introduction to Biomedical Sciences
Trigonometry
Biology
Honors English 10
Ceramics 1A & 1B
Physical Education</p>
<p>11th Grade:
Pre-AP Chemistry
AP United States History
AP Language and Composition (Felt like Honor English 11)
Spanish 2
Project Lead the Way: Human Body Systems
Honors Pre-calculus
Health</p>
<p>12th Grade (Upcoming fall 2012):
AP Chemistry
AP Calculus
Project Lead the Way: Medical Intervention
English 12
Economics
Political Science
General Physics</p>
<p>Phew, that was a lot to type off memory. Does this give me a good chance going to the UoM despite the low ACT score? Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>Max</p>
<p>I think you’re borderline because I know someone who had a 26 ACT and the same GPA with a bunch of APs and got rejected.</p>
<p>Thanks for your honest opinion! </p>
<p>Would extracurricular activities increase my chances? I’ve volunteered at two different hospitals, a soup kitchen, and NHS. I’ve been told different things about extracurricular activities. On one hand, I’m told they will hold high regard for those who are “well-rounded” and the other is that colleges strictly look at GPA and ACT/AP scores. Would these activities help?</p>
<p>I don’t think the U of M puts a lot of weight on extracurricular stuff. If you don’t have anything to put down for work, volunteering, sports, ect, you’ll want to find something to participate in. But if you already have a bunch of activities, adding one or two more likely won’t make a difference. In your case, I doubt it would have a big effect since you already have a good amount of volunteer experience. </p>
<p>GPA and standardized test scores are the main things the U of M looks at on an application. Your GPA and the classes you’re taking all look good. I’d work on trying to get the ACT score up, preferably to a 27 or higher. To see the average scores of those accepted, the academic profile for freshman admitted for fall 2012 is here: [Academic</a> Profile](<a href=“http://admissions.tc.umn.edu/academics/profile.html]Academic”>Academic Profile of Fall 2022 Admitted Freshman Applicants by College | Office of Admissions)</p>
<p>Sometimes it’s a lot of luck. I got a 25 on my ACT and an 1800 on my SAT, had a weighted GPA of a 4.0, and had a crap load of extra-curriculars (student body president for two years, cheer captain, varsity cross country, 1000 volunteer hours as a cheerleading coach). My test scores and GPA weren’t extraordinary, but I was sent a free application asking me to apply. </p>
<p>So to be honest, work hard, don’t slack off your senior year first semester, and hope that you have good luck.</p>
<p>And in all seriousness… good luck. The U is amazing!</p>