Hi! I’m an incoming high school senior at an affluent high school in one of Chicago’s northern suburbs. I have a GPA of 2.95 and an ACT score of 30. I’m looking for colleges that are medium or large in size, so no small liberal arts schools. No liberal arts schools in general, either. I’m looking for a respectable college with a lively party scene and active Greek life. I would prefer one that’s decently urban or at least near a city, but it’s not a requirement. I’m a vegetarian, so I’m looking for a school that has provisions for my diet. Also, I’m fairly conservative so I’m leaning more towards conservative schools. I’m not religious, but religiously affiliated colleges aren’t out of the question. Price of tuition don’t matter to me, and I won’t apply for any scholarships. Can you think of any colleges that sound suitable for me and I have a sporting chance of getting accepted into, despite my lackluster GPA? Thank you!
Is your gpa due to the lively party scene at your HS, hehe? I think more selective schools are going to wonder about the gpa.
You should probably look at instate options.
-Colorado State University
-University of Oklahoma
-University of Kansas
-University of Arizona
-Syracuse University (reach)
-Appalachian State University
-Ohio University (rural, small college town)
-Texas Christian (reach)
-High Point University
-Old Dominion University
-CU Boulder (liberal)
-University of Northern Colorado
-College of Charleston
-Ithaca College
-Gonzaga University (reach)
-Drexel University (co-op program distinguishes it)
-Chapman (reach)
-University of Tampa
Give us a little more insight on the GPA. If it’s low because you are ‘lop-sided’ - that is, great a math and poor at reading/writing - or vice versa - that might have an impact on our suggestions. Likewise, if it’s due to a slow start in 9th grade but has been steadily improving, that too would be viewed differently by schools doing a holistic review, as they consider Junior year more reflective of your potential than 9th grade. Or if there has been some extenuating circumstance that might account for a really bad year (illness, divorce, etc…), that too can be addressed.
If it’s just that school isn’t interesting, then have you considered the possibility of taking a year or two off (Gap Year(s)) to figure out what you really love academically before committing four years of your life to doing it? It seems like if the primary requirement is a lively party scene in an urban area, you can get that without going to school at all.
The majority of SEC schools with the exception of Vanderbilt, Georgia and Florida
If you can coax your GPA north of 3.0, look at Texas A&M. That’s the whole deal with Aggies: fun-loving right-of-center keggers who can crack a book, throw down with the best of ‘em, then rustle up a mean beet n’ goat cheese in the morning.
I don’t think TAMU will take someone with just north of a 3.0 GPA.
LOL Probably not @whenhen, but he’s a 30 ACT and full-pay. You wouldn’t think anyone with <3.25 could get into Harvard, either.
University of Iowa, University of Northern Iowa, and Iowa State University. A lot of Illinois kids go to those schools (mostly UI) because they’re cheaper than the in state options. Honestly go calculate your RAI score and see if you can get in:
Primary RAI Formula–> (for students whose high school provides class rank)
(1 x Percentile class rank)+(2 x ACT composite score)+(20 x Cumulative GPA)+(5 x Number of years of high school courses completed in the core subject areas)=RAI score
Alternative RAI Formula–> (for students whose high school does NOT provide class rank)
(3 x ACT composite score)+(30 x Cumulative GPA)+(5 x Number of years of high school courses completed in the core subject areas)= RAI score
Core subjects = English/LA, math, science, social studies, foreign language
if you are above 245 you’ll automatically get in. If it’s lower then you will be evaluated by a committee.
EDIT: If you’ve taken 3 years of math, 3 years of science, 4 years of English, 3 years of social studies, and 4 years of foreign language, you’ll get in. And the party scene at UI and ISU is robust if you like to participate. I know greek life is big at ISU and UI.
UAZ, ASU, DePaul, Iowa, West VA . . . I’d suggest Temple, but it’s in Philly and might be too urban-liberal for your tastes. DePaul could fall into that category, too, despite their religious affiliation. Maybe Bowling Green . . . Miami of Ohio might be a reach for your GPA, but it sounds perfect for you socially, and your ACT is definitely within their range. Try UCF or USF if you think you’d like the warmer climes in FL. Clemson is also a bit of a GPA reach, but your ACT should be okay for them.