<p>I really want a good physics program and preferably a top 100 college if possible.</p>
<p>I will be entering undergraduate studies in fall 2013, and I've been trying my best to increase my GPA. I messed it up in freshman year (1.something) and I struggled after to bring it up. I managed to get it up to a 2.7, and I did the math - I can get it up to a 2.9-3.0 this year if I get all A's and B's or all A's. </p>
<p>I was looking at some colleges that weren't in the top 100 based on location (so I could transfer into better nearby colleges later)</p>
<p>I know I can succeed in college, so I was looking at UIC/IIT (thing is, I hear they suck.) so I could transfer into UC after 2 years. </p>
<p>I have a 2.7 GPA as of now with a 27 ACT (just retook it a couple weeks back and I know I improved. More accurate number would be 28-30ish)</p>
<p>I haven't bothered with the SAT</p>
<p>Thanks. Also, schools that give decent financial aid so I don't have to leave college with 20k debts.</p>
<p>You should certainly try applying to mid-high public and private schools, but you really need to choose one of the following sets of conditions</p>
<p>1)top 100 school - which will already be a little tough given your stats
2)financial aid</p>
<p>To get both financial aid and entry to a top program, you need higher stats than that. But don’t be discouraged to apply. </p>
<p>I must also add that the deadlines are coming up pretty soon. Some deadlines have already passed, and to get letters of rec on time, you need to act quickly.</p>
<p>Do you think I could transfer into MIT/University of Chicago (two dream schools) after 2 years at college? </p>
<p>I can retake the ACT later if need be.</p>
<p>Have you done anything important that would attract colleges? Applying to the selective schools, not to offend, would be nigh pointless without them. Less than or equal to a 3.0 and a 27 aren’t going to cut it at the top institutions, especially when they turn down thousands of applicants with WAY better statistics and probably better accolades.</p>
<p>I’m not sure about your transferring question but if I recall it is quite difficult to transfer up a “tier” to the very good schools. This might be your best chance, or you could wait for grad school. A lot of places really only care about the last place you attended. Since you think you can succeed in college, just try to get mostly A’s, do some undergrad research, maybe start a little project (maybe teaching physics to inner-city kids, maybe some physics related art piece, etc.) that would attract attention.</p>
<p>Most colleges I’m applying to just happen to have a 50-60 percent acceptance rate. </p>
<p>Do you mean important within my community like volunteering or important within academics like discover a new type of particle?</p>