Hey, I just received my ACT and my SAT score this week. Both were lower than the ACT I took in september, which is a 26… I was so shocked that I dropped instead of improving that I’m doubting my chances of getting into some schools I have already applied/will apply:
University of Illiniois at Urbana-Champaign
Northwestern U
Wisconsin-Madison
Ohio State
UMich
UCLA
Berkeley
UCSD
USC
As of now I want to go into the educational field (secondary teaching or early childhood)
My high school transcript from freshman to sophomore year is a 4.30/5
Top 15% of my class (76/697) I might be top 10% by the end of this semester
High school activities: band, NHS, Best Buddies, panelist on teen depression (I present this to sophomore health classes), school events photographer
Activities outside of school: highest team in kung fu, I travel to China a lot over the summer and attend many cultural exchange camps, taught english to elementary schools kids in China, presented new methods in education with my mom in a Rome Conference, take portraits and street photography, managed reception and leader for helping out annual Chinese cultural dance shows.
If there are anything else to add for a more accurate estimation, let me know! thank youuu
Honestly, with a 26 ACT, probably not. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t still apply, you never know. If you can somehow raise that ACT to at least a 29-30, then you’ll be good.
UIUC is becoming increasingly competitive and the average ACT is a 28. Being below average in scores for schools is usually not a good bet (in terms of being a match or safety, of course it is still possible for many to get in) unless you have extra-good ECs/hooks to back it up. The rest of your profile is fine for UIUC, OSU, Wisconsin. Definitely get that score up if you can? Otherwise, I recommend finding many more safety and matches. Some other large Midwest schools you definitely have a shot at: University of Cincinnati, University of Iowa, University of Minnesota Twin Cities (high match), Western Illinois University etc.
Also, you are aware the UC schools provide no aid for OOS students, correct? Plus, they are very score-centric.
Where are you in state? There is usually a directional university in your state system that was founded as a teacher’s college and still has a strong education degree program. Find it and make it your safety school.
Teaching doesn’t pay well, so don’t go into debt to fund your educational expenses.