What are my chances?

Colleges & Universities A-Z University of Michigan
1

<p>I'm entering into my senior year of HS, and preparing to apply for colleges.. my top choices are: </p>

<p>UMich
MSU
OSU
(in the order)
(if you can recommend any other schools, that would be appreciated).. </p>

<p>My stats: </p>

<p>3.86 GPA (my school doesn't have a weighted system)
4.0 with UMich's standards (I had a lackluster freshman year) </p>

<p>ACT: 24.. I've come to the realization that i'm not a superb test taker, but i'm going to attempt to increase my score in October.. I don't think my ACT reflects me. </p>

<p>I'm coming from a small school, i'm in the top 5% of my class.. </p>

<p>I've taken and will be taking the most challenging courses my school has to offer.. My school has only 3 AP courses.. (would have been 4, but they cut the subject; therefore I couldn't take it).. AP Psych, AP English, AP Biology.. </p>

<p>ECs/Others </p>

<p>I'm Vice President of my senior class..
I've played on a boy's soccer team until my junior year.. I then started my school's first girls program.. where I captained the team.. we shocked several long-standing/highly notable programs in our area..
I ran track my freshman year..
I'm a member of our NHS.. i've done several projects/volunteer work projects with NHS and without the NHS..
I'm a volunteer soccer ref for our local AYSO program.. </p>

<p>Any comments/suggestions are appreciated.. any helpful words of wisdom for a person who lacks test taking abilities are also appreciated... </p>

<p>Thank You..</p>

2

<p>You definitely need to increase your ACT score....try giving the New SAT...maybe you'll find it easier</p>

3

<p>get the score to a 28 and w/ your 4.0 u should be fine</p>

4

<p>My brother scored a 31 on his ACTs last year.. and he claims that I shouldn't be taking practice tests or even looking at strategy tips.. so i'm torn between doing the practice tests and not taking them.. what's the best way to go about it..? Should I buy a practice book, etc?</p>

5

<p>doing the books certainly helped me.... don't know why u wouldn't do some practice.</p>

6

<p>Someone who does well initially isn't in such a great position to give advice on how to prepare, because they didn't really need to. Taking practice tests will help you try out new strategies for doing better. It will also help you see what pace you need to get through everything. Looking at strategies isn't a bad idea, but make sure you only use the ones that work for you, and again, try them out before the actual test day. You don't want to be trying out new things when you're taking the test for real. (I got a 30 the first time with no prep, and then after taking two practice tests scored a 33 next time, if you want a specific example.)</p>