What are my Chances for U of I and Northwestern?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hey, I am currently a Junior in highschool and I am confused about where I will fit in in college, what school are reaches and which I have a legitimate chance at. I have not started applying yet so there is time to change anything and everything that I can. Please let me know what to improve on </p>

<p>My school is ranked 24th out of 500+ schools in the state.</p>

<p>My class rank is 51 out of 540+ and is dropping (in the good way) quickly</p>

<p>--- Grades ---
H= Honors </p>

<ul>
<li><p>9th Grade
H English 1 B+/B+
Spanish 2 B+/B+
H History of Western Civilizations B/B
Geometry A/A-
Gym/ Health A/A
H Biology B+/A-</p></li>
<li><p>10th Grade
H English 2 B+/B
H Spanish 3 B+/B
AP US History B+/B
Adv Algebra and Trig A-/A-
Gym A/A
H Chemistry A-/A</p></li>
<li><p>11th Grade
English 3 A-
Ap Economics A
H PreCalc and Trig B
Ap Statistics A-
Competitive PE A
H Physics A
AP US gov (N/A yet, taking this second semester)</p></li>
</ul>

<p>Next Years Planned Schedule
- English 4
- AP Calc BC
- AP Physics
- Engineering Physics
- History of American Film/ Engineering and design (for my fine art and business credits I need to graduate)
- Competitive PE</p>

<p>My Current Unweighted GPA at the end of 1st semester of Junior year is 3.544 (Ouch) and my Weighted GPA is 4.182</p>

<p>I will be graduating with 5 years of math and science which I hope will help as I am considering going to engineering.</p>

<p>Scores -
ACT (1st time)
- 25 english
- 32 math
- 25 reading
- 34 science
---29 Composite</p>

<p>ACT (2nd time)
- 29 English
- 32 Math
- 34 Reading
- 29 Science
--- 31 Composite</p>

<p>PSAT
80 Math
63 CR
53 WS (OUCHHHHHH)
= 196 total ... Generally 200+ Recieves National Merit Scholar Award </p>

<p>Besides All of this my only extracurricular activity that is actually impressive and not just groups that people join to put on applications ect. is my volleyball carrer. Last year my team Placed 2nd in the Nation at Junior Olympics</p>

<p>WOW I just hit preview post and realized how lengthy this is getting... so yeah sorry about that... so anyway with all that over I'll get to the point....</p>

<p>Anyway, what do you think the Chances of me getting into U of I (Hopefully for engineering), Northwestern, Notre Dame, University of Iowa or University of Michigan</p>

<p>Thanks! :) ... Chance me and I'll Chance back when I have time</p>

<p>.... I live in Illinois is that helps</p>

2

<p>

In regards to Northwestern University:</p>

<p>Living in Illinois is not likely an advantage (unless you have financial need and live in the immediate vicinity of the University in their Neighborhood outreach program). Considering the staggering number of applications (30,500+) and with Illinois still the state contributing the largest number - and that only approximately 20% of those enrolled are from Illinois, the odds start to stack against you.</p>

<p>For example a Caucasian (~50% Caucasian) male (~%50 male) from Illinois (~20% from IL), would mean that only approximately 100 Caucasian males from Illinois will be enrolled in the freshman class each year. If you are applying regular decision (not ED) then that number is likely closer to 60 Caucasian males from Illinois that will be enrolled out of approximately 28,500 regular decision applications. Not terrific odds. You would be much better off if you were applying from North Dakota.</p>

<p>Your ACT score of 31 is within range, so you should definitely apply but without some outstanding EC’s and essays, SAT I and II’s, recs, etc… NU will be a reach IMO.</p>

<p>In regards to U of Illinois:</p>

<p>IMO, your ACT score (with math score of only 32) will likely present a challenge for you. I think U of I engineering program would be considered a reach for you, and you are not even a sure thing in the LAS College. U of I is still a very challenging admit, but I think you should be okay for LAS.</p>

<p>In regards to Volleyball:</p>

<p>If you are a standout player (and probably 6’3 or better) then I would suggest U of Illinois - they have probably one of the finest club volleyball programs in the country. If you are a solid player then NU’s team, while not generally competitive nationally, is a member of the Midwest Intercollegiate Volleyball Association as well as a member of the Big Ten conference. These are the most competitive leagues for men’s volleyball throughout all universities in the country and will provide for challenging play.</p>

3

<p>you’re probably good for Iowa and U of I… but only LAS. your test scores and GPA are definitely low for engineering, so a year of LAS or GS before transferring into engineering would probably give you the best shot of getting in. notre dame will be a definite reach, as will NU. good luck!</p>

4

<p>Alright Thank you so much for the feedback, I am taking the SAT in about a month and then the ACT one last time when we take the PSAE as a school. I feel that I should definitely be able to improve upon my 31 (math is simple mistakes and I have done well on reading and science, just at separate times unfortunately). By the time I apply my unweighted GPA should be the same but I am hoping for my weighted GPA to go up to ~4.35+ (went up for 3.99 to 4.182 last semester) this will bring my class rank down to around 40.</p>

<p>Any more opinions are greatly appreciated! I will chance back!</p>

5

<p>you’ll make it into Iowa and probably get money too. if your rai score (wierd ranking thing they do) is over 300 then they accept you and give you money. if it’s over 260 (don’t quote me on that) then you get in but don’t get money. I had a Gpa of 3.5, 29 act and 2 APs classes and 4 honors all throughout HS and got accepted to iowa, and even got money from them to go there!</p>

<p>here’s the rai info…there’s a calculator on there…
<a href=“http://www.uiowa.edu/admissions/undergrad/requirements/rai-page.html[/url]”>http://www.uiowa.edu/admissions/undergrad/requirements/rai-page.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

6

<p>and I live in the Chicago area, so yay for IL! :slight_smile: but as you can see by my username, I’m going to go to purdue so you’d probably make it there too if you wanted. their engineering is awesome.</p>

7

<p>FYI, it wouldn’t be 100 out of 28500, it would be 100 out of whatever number of white caucasian Illinoians applying is.</p>

8

<p>I’m not sure about the other schools, but your perfect for University of Iowa. If your gpa was a bit higher, they would probably offer you a chance into the honors program. Getting into Iowa is not hard at all.</p>

9

<p>So it seems Iowa is a match + money? :slight_smile:
U of I w/o engineering is math/slight reach?
everything else is a reach? </p>

<p>Thanks for all the feedback so far guys! anyone else?</p>