Got wait listed yesterday. ACT 32, TOEFL 105, National chemistry competition 1st place. Thought I had good chance to get in. But no. Not sure how good I have to be to get in and the chance to be admitted at this point.
What major were/are you aiming for?
chemistry
That’s pretty shocking.
Is UIUC your top choice? Do you have other options?
No problem paying?
UIUC is not my top choice. I got offer from Purdue U already. Purdue is early action so I got the decision earlier. Still waiting for other schools and most of them are even more difficult to get in in my opinion such as Rice U.
I have no problem paying. New to this. Don’t know how to play the game yet.
Essays do matter a lot at UIUC. With no early decision, they want kids who want to be there and see that reflected in the essays.
The admit rate for internationals is far lower than the overall admit rate at UIUC as well.
Do you mind to take a look at my assays? These were written in the earlier stage of my college applications while I was still learning it. Maybe the essay is the problem? Just want to figure out my chances. Thanks a lot!
Essays
Explain your interest in the major you selected. You may describe a related experience you’ve had to that area of study and/or your future career goals. Please limit your response to approximately 300 words.
When I was 14, the teacher started my first chemistry class with a fun question: class, tell me how may molecules in a drop of water? No one had an even close answer so the teacher wrote it down on the blackboard 1.67 x 10²¹. I was astonished, letting my imagination run wild so that I could possibly comprehend these innumerous tiny molecules dancing around in a drop and yet staying disciplined to allow my eyes to see through it. What a magic world! Such a world had to be complicated, I thought. However, the first molecular formula I learned was H2SO4, describing the highly corrosive sulfuric acid. The simple combination of a few basic elements wowed me, and I got the sense that simplicity might produce enormous power. “But was this a special case for sulfuric acid or a general rule in chemistry world”, I asked myself. More and more questions came to me as I dug wider and deeper in the world of Chemistry, leading me onto the path I would take for the rest of my life. One day, my teacher asked us to write the steps of tetracycline synthesis, which means I needed to grow a single ring to a four rings substance with all functional groups in the right places. It wasn’t easy and took me the whole day to finish it. While I was adding a functional group in each reaction step, I saw not only the formation of a biologically active antibiotic but also the origins of life because they are organic molecules associated with living organisms. With that vision, I am certain about what I want to pursue. I want to tell the backstage story of a compound written on a medication instruction sheet someday.
Tell us about one interest or experience of yours that allows us to get to know you better as an individual. Please limit your response to approximately 300 words.
“Life is a deck of cards,” said my coach, picking up the basketball from the floor, “Play with it or quit. Just don’t complain what you got.” It was my 2nd year of high school. The basketball team I was in had to re-elect a team leader. No one wanted to step in because the star player had left. We finally had to throw the dice to decide and I hit the jackpot. I had to admit that sports were not my thing. I was more of a nerd type in my school. I had won first place in national chemistry competition, but I struggled to get a decent score in physical education classes. Now, as a mediocre player and an inexperienced captain, how could I lead a team to victory in the upcoming game? Quitting was not a choice because it was never in my dictionary. I chose to play my cards well! In the following weeks, I watched every game and discovered the weak point of our opponent: five players weren’t in sync at times despite their impressive moves so they missed some easy scores. Oh well, my team was good at working together. I saw the hope of winning. The playoff game was heating up in the stadium. The score was tied at 64. The ball finally dropped into the hoop just as the timer made its obnoxious buzz. The opponent team roared, elated at the 65 to 64 victory. It was the moment of truth: we didn’t win. But my team’s performance was exceptional. As for me, I learned how to be a captain-know your team and build trust and spirit. I probably would always be a nerd but I am confident that I could build a strong nerd team when time comes.
You got waitlisted for Chemistry or ChemE? if not ChemE, its a bit shocking you got waitlisted with those stats!
Wait listed for Chemistry, not ChemE. Couldn’t figure out why I was wait listed. Or maybe UIUC as a public school need to take Illinois residents first? I am an international student so chances are slim. Anyway I am still hoping UIUC would take me.
Yeah dude, UIUC has a strong bias towards Illinois residents. I go to a high school in Illinois and almost everyone got in (even somebody with a 24 ACT and 3.7 Weighted GPA)… I feel bad for you man, especially since your major isn’t like engineering or business.
At most state schools, it’s easier to get in if you are in-state.
There was an article in the Chicago paper within the last year about how Illinois had lost a large percent of in state students to out of state schools, so I would guess they tried harder to accept more in-state than in the past. One problem however, is their cost. My kid was offered enough money by some really good private schools that they would be less expensive than Illinois.
So true when it comes to the cost of attending UIUC. Prospective students must weigh all their options.
Also, why the university froze tuition for incoming freshman.
http://chicago.suntimes.com/news-chicago/7/71/294055/u-trustees-approve-tuition-freeze-incoming-illinois-freshman
Should I write to school to boost my chances? If so what should I write?
@mickeymouse2015 I dont think so residency is a factor. COE has and avg ACT of 31-34 and I had an ACT of 29. which isnt even in the 25th %. I still got waitlisted for ChemE
Residency does play a role. I got a 28 ACT and I got into ChemE, but I think it played out because by GPA was 4.55 weighted, I had all APs, and my essays were exceptional. I would say my essays mainly got me in because I put my personality onto a piece of paper.
@JANSAT2004, ChemE at UIUC isn’t in CoE, but I’m not sure what’s so surprising about your result? Waitlisted when you’re below the Engineering 25th percentile shouldn’t be considered surprising, right?
To the OP: I would say that writing can not hurt and can only help. If UIUC is your first choice, tell them that.
@PurpleTitan, ChemE is in LAS because that was where it started. It is administered by and taught by COE professors.