<p>EDIT: I know I wrote a lot. Sorry. Just wanted to make sure all necessary information (and then some) was included. </p>
<p>Unfortunately, I was rejected by Michigan State University my first time applying as a Senior in the fall of 2010. I wasn't exactly surprised, given that my GPA at that point was likely below a 2.5, and my ACT scores, while above-average, were nothing exceptional. Due to my rejection, I'm now being forced to attend Lansing Community College - after two semesters there, I hope to be able to transfer to State. </p>
<p>My only worry is that, in recent years, both acceptance rates for potential freshman and for transfer students have been going down. Since I'm planning to submit a transfer application after only two semesters, my high school grades and standardized test scores would still be taken into account. </p>
<p>When I graduated from the public school I had attended, my GPA was only slightly over 2.8. I had failed four out of five classes the final trimester of my junior year, including AP English 11. I skipped about 40 days in that single period, which I'm guessing would probably show up upon my transcripts. </p>
<p>My senior year wasn't that bad. I got all A's without effort my first trimester, all A's and a B+ (in physics, and the B+ was hardly my fault - my teacher failed one of my tests because I brought it out of the classroom. I didn't know it was against the rules to do so, so my 110% on the test went down to 55%, wrecking my overall grade, which at the time was exceeding 100%), and mixed grades my final trimester. I believe I had two A's, two B's, and a C+, but I can't remember correctly. </p>
<p>The poor grades had little to do with inability, and much to do with lack of inspiration and extracurricular "distractions" (i.e., girls, going to college classes instead of high school ones, skating, etc). Though I shall not portend that community college will be easy, I don't see why I shouldn't be able to keep my GPA over a 3.5. </p>
<p>If I were to attempt to transfer to MSU with a GPA between 3.5 and 4.0, would I have a relatively good chance of gaining admission to the university? I'm considering retaking the ACT. Here were my scores:</p>
<p>English: 33
Reading: 35
Science: 24
Mathematics: 19
Writing: 8 (didn't finish essay)</p>
<p>Composite: 28 </p>
<p>As you can see, they were slightly unbalanced, to say the least. I'm positive I could get over a 30 on a retest, as I originally took the ACT with no preparation whatsoever. I hadn't been paying attention in math class, and that fact has been reflected in my test scores and in my math enrollment for the upcoming year (I have to start off in Introductory Algebra; won't be able to do College Math at LCC in a year, but will fulfill the requirement for Intermediate Algebra, which is the minimum asked by MSU). My counselor, who liked me and thought I was smart, let me waive some requirements for high school physics, and I did better in that class than my friend who got a 35 on the math portion of the ACT. </p>
<p>If I were to keep my ACT scores, high school GPA (obviously), and maintain high grades at LCC for the entirety of next year, what do you think my chances of acceptance would be for Fall 2012? </p>
<p>List of academic variables that could come into play: </p>
<ul>
<li>High school GPA (2.856)</li>
<li>Community college GPA (between 3.5 and 4.0) </li>
<li>ACT scores (28 composite; could retake) </li>
<li>Only taking Intermediate Algebra instead of College Math (due to my intended math-related major, I want to take the College Math / Trigonometry combo they have at MSU to get myself into Calculus ASAP; contrary to ACT scores, I'm actually good at it) </li>
</ul>
<p>Extracurricular variables: </p>
<ul>
<li>Currently employed </li>
<li>> 300 hours of volunteering at Sparrow </li>
<li>Sports (figure skating, fencing) </li>
</ul>
<p>Having volunteered at Sparrow for an extended period of time, I was told by a staff member in my department that I could take to Service Learning's coordinator and probably become a "student leader". On a similar note, there's also a good chance that I might have my resume circulated at MSU by a professor to see if I can get a research job with Physics or Neuroscience. </p>
<p>On the downside, I do have two felony juvenile adjudications on my record, and they will not be removed until I'm 30. Fingerprints will stay with the FBI permanently. I was told that the adjudications probably wouldn't have too big of an impact on my application, but if anybody knows more, please tell me. That all happened almost four years ago (slightly less than a quarter of my lifetime), and I'll have been off probation for several years once I submit my transfer application in Spring. </p>
<p>What do you guys think? I'm really sorry for writing an essay, but I wanted to make sure nothing was left out. Is there anything more I can do to boost my chances? If everything goes well and I continue to trend upwards, should I have a pretty good shot? </p>
<p>I was thinking of throwing in an app to UChicago, but that seems like a pipedream. I've already screwed up my life enough times, and I've grown up living near and loving Michigan State. I want to double-major in physics and psychology (pre-med, but I want to try subjects that interest me instead of doing a cookie-cutter human bio major), and State has one of the best physics programs in the country.</p>
<p>I really want to make this happen. =\ If I have to go to LCC more than two semesters, I will, but I'd prefer not to.</p>
<p>EDIT: </p>
<ul>
<li><p>Figured this section would be better than "Transfers", due to the specificity of the thread (correct me if wrong) </p></li>
<li><p>Took two AP tests (AP Eng 11 and AP Gov and Pol), passed two AP tests</p></li>
</ul>