Please, PLEASE chance an average student at a few average schools

<p>Hey everyone! </p>

<p>I am going to be a senior at a very competitive public high school in Wisconsin. I want to apply to University of Georgia (my top choice at the moment), Clemson, University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana, Purdue, University of Wisconsin Madison (kind of a reach for me but ill try since i'm in-state). Those are kind of the only schools that i've found interest in so far that offer the major I wish to pursue, which is Landscape Architecture.</p>

<p>GPA: 3.569 simple, 3.862 weighted</p>

<p>Frosh year: pretty good grades, again, just average A's and a few B's
Soph year: straight A's, perfect 4.0 GPA
Junior year: lots of A's, a B, and 2 C+'s (a genuine increase in class difficulty caused this. Also, one was an AP class.)</p>

<p>AP's and honors classes I will have completed upon graduation:
AP U.S. history
3 years honors english
2 years honors history
AP micro economics
AP English
Honors Spanish</p>

<p>EC's:
Yearbook member
Volunteer work
part time job as a florist, works up to 18 hours during school weeks
NHS member
Color Guard
Marching/Pep band member
Plays Clarinet and Piano</p>

<p>ACT: 26, taking it again, probably twice more,and expecting about a 28 or higher (I'm working on time management issues!)</p>

<p>I can get excellent recommendations from two of my favorite teachers who know me very well, as well as a great letter from my guidance counselor. I feel that my GPA is not quite the best reflector of my abilities as a student; this last year it dropped lower than I had ever previously had (probably due to the two C's, one of which was, as previously stated, was in a challenging AP course and the other in a class with an absolutely terrible teacher who talked on his cell phone and was the highschool football coach, so he watched football reruns rather than teach algebra.) I know I can write a fantastic essay, however; writing has always been a passion of mine. </p>

<p>What are my chances at the colleges mentioned above, particularly UGa, U of I, Clemson, and Madison?</p>

<p>Thank you so much for your time, and I'd appreciate thorough and informative responses.</p>

<p>hey, i see my post was moved. does anyone have any advice etc?</p>

<p>Hey madeline... i think you are a well rounded student.. if i may offer some advice.. retake the ACT and aim for a 27 pr a 28.. that small change will be very significant. I am sorry but i am only familiar with two of your preferred colleges... one more thing... try to stress your amazing sophmore GPA and try to make it overshadow the junior GPA although that will be hard.
Madison(wisconsin madison?)- slight reach
U of I-slight reach</p>

<p>If you can improve you ACT a little bit, i am sure colleges would love to have you. Good luck.</p>

<p>Well id actually say your a bit above average. I believe the average ACT is either a 20 or 21. Dont be intimidated by some of the people on this site who have or claim to have 35s or 36s. Your doing better than you think, as your NHS membership would indicate. Your academics are pretty good and will at least give you a shot at all the places you listed. The challenge, then, will be making your application stand out and making the colleges think that they want you. The fact that you show a genuine interest in less popular major will be an attractive element of your application. It can help you stand out against all the prospective buisiness and economics ect majors. I think that if you do get excellent recs and write a great essay, you should be fine at all of your schools. And a higher ACT certainly wouldnt hurt. But since you asked for chances.....</p>

<p>UGA-- slight reach, if you show a genuine interest in the school id say you have a great shot.
Clemson-- with a slightly higher ACT, in
Illinois-- well im from the south so im not that familiar with their admissions but from what i hear its fairly similar to UGA in admissions competition
Purdue-- cant really comment, i know a few people who went for engineering but i dont know about chances for a non engineering student, i think its a bit different
Madison-- with a higher ACT i think its quite posible</p>

<p>well good luck,</p>

<p>also if you could kindly return the favor, my tread is "Chances?? Por favor". It should be on the first page of "what are my chances?". I dont know how to link it, but if you could find it that would be great.</p>

<p>thanks!!!! what does anyone else think??</p>

<p>bump, bump, bump???? anyone? please?! i will chance you back!</p>

<p>Hi Madeline:</p>

<p>The word here in Illinois is that U of I is getting more difficult to get in to, although it varies by college (the business, engineering and some science programs are examples of highly competitive ). The school requires that you declare a major and sometimes the trick is declaring a major which is less competitive - I would guess that landscape architecture would fall into that category (ironically, my son was advised by a rep from the school that he may have a better chance if he declares "undecided" in the Division of General Studies). Here is a link to the U of I website that sets forth admission requirements and averages for 2008 admitted freshman: </p>

<p>U</a> of I Admissions: Freshman Admission Requirements</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>If you were in-state for UGA, i’d say your in, BUT it’s still within your reach :)</p>

<p>I say that you’re rejected from UGA. Your freshman index is 2960, and UGA has a mean of 3104. Even with a 28, you’re at a 3044, which makes you a slight reach. - And that’s in state.</p>