<p>I applied to Illinois State University. Their middle 50% of students got 22-26 ACT and 3.1-3.7 GPA. 25% have lower grades than those and 25% have higher. I have a 21 on my ACT and 2.64 GPA (I screwed up my first two years) I am a minority, first generation student, I am fluent in the Spanish language, and I wrote a pretty darn good personal statement of why ISU is for me, academic strengths and weaknesses, and what circumstances effected my grades. I also included that I did screw up my first years and plan to raise my grades. Also, I exceed their course requirements in the Social studies, science, and math sections. They were not easy classes either. Now, my counselor said I have more going for me than against me. My GPA is really the only thing holding me back, what do you guys think? Thank you for your time!</p>
<p>Your gpa isn’t really hurting you because it’s in the 50% range. Your act score is hurting you. You might want to think about retaking it.</p>
<p>Oh I thought it said your gpa was 3.64. Sorry. </p>
<p>Do your ecs stand out?</p>
<p>ecs? and my act is fine. 22-26 is the middle 50% of students. 25% of students have gotten worse than a 22. Theres a lot more that comes into making an admission decision than just act and gpa though</p>
<p>What’s ur intended major?</p>
<p>Criminal justice</p>
<p>It is a reach, you are below the 25th percentile in both ACT score and GPA. Being a minority and first generation will help though. It is not so much of a reach that it is unrealistic, but make sure you apple to a few schools where you have a better chance.</p>
<p>Ecs= extra curriculars</p>
<p>Also, you should make sure your essays are well written, interesting, and tell a story.</p>
<p>They gave me three questions to answer, it wasn’t just like an essay with one topic. It was a personal statement.</p>
<p>So, no actual essays?
That should be pretty easy then.
Usually, the bottom 25% percentile are people who pay full tuition, athletes, people who have faced great adversities, or other special circumstances. If you fall into one of those circumstances, then your chances aren’t too bad. If not, you don’t have to go to that school. You could easily start out somewhere else and then transfer. You still get a bachelors degree either way.
My brother had a gpa of 2.9 and the same act score as you, and he chose to start at a community college. Hes doing really well there now (made it on to deans list). And he’s going to transfer to the university of Maryland.
Hopefully this helped.</p>
<p>Considering your low GPA and SAT/ACT scores, it may be quite a reach. Try retaking to balance out the GPA.</p>
<p>My ACT would be okay. But theres more to being admitted than just ACT and GPA right?</p>
<p>Yes, though your ACT is a problem also. You want to be at least at the 50th percentile for a school to have a decent chance and you are below the 25th percentile. Anyway, schools also look at your essays, recommendations, class rank and ECs (mainly leadership and community service).</p>