Peter M

So I applied late August into the Architecture program at DAAP for early decision and i have sent in all my materials, but I am just stressing out about getting in. Here are my stats:
ACT:29
Unweighted GPA: 3.4
Weighted GPA: 4.7
Class Rank: 50 out of 300
School: Walnut Hills High School (competitive college prep school)
AP Classes: 8 total
ALL honors/advanced classes besides the AP's
OGT Stats: Accelerated/Advanced on everything

So anyone with some insight, perhaps someone accepted, what are my chances? I think they're slim unfortunately...

taxguy

Peter M. No one can really evaluate your chances. Your class rank and ACT scores a fine ,but your unweighed GPA is frankly low.I would say that you definitely have a shot and are in the running. Thus, you should definitely apply as early as possible.

Peter M

yea its low because i took challenging AP and Honors Courses. yes i did not get straight A's but I never got anything below a B

taxguy

Peter, this may surprise you,but DAAP, and many other schools, don't really care about your challenging courses. As idiotic as this may sound, they only care about your class rank and unweighted GPA! Yes, I know you have been led to believe differently by your high school counselors, many of whom are giving bad advice for the vast majority of colleges.

For most colleges and for most scholarships, your unweighted GPA is what counts. Yes, I know it is idiotic,but that is the way of admissions.

For what it's worth, I had a major "discussion" with the admission rep about this concerning my daughter who was in the same situation as you. She attended a magnet program in a school that was ranked in the top 50 by US News and World Report. She even took some actual college courses while in high school. The admission reps told me that they use unweighted GPA for the first round of picks. If they don't fill up their class or for remaining slots, they take a harder look at the course toughness. Thus, they will take a person with a 3.6 overall GPA with all regular courses over your 3.4 GPA with all honors. How incredibly sad is that! Moreover, many other schools do the same under the belief that they can't evaluate "honors courses."

An interesting aside about this is that although my daughter was probably in the bottom 10% of those admitted to DAAP,she is currently in the top 10-20% based on her overall GPA. You would think that admissions would get the message,but they are still using unweighted GPA as the main indicator.

Peter M

my high school is ranked 36th in the US by US News...so i dont know, I find it quite ridiculous that only unweighted gpa counts...and my friend told me yesterday she has been accepted because she checked online...i checked today but there is no status change for me. does that mean that I'm getting put into the second group of people who are evaluated more carefully?

DrBroccoli

Peter, have you received any letters yet? I applied for the DAAP program (graphics design) around mid September and I received notice about a week ago of my acceptance. The application does say you will hear by January 15, so there is still hope!

For what it's worth, I had a 30 ACT and a 3.7 unweighted GPA, if that helps you any.

Chaswied

I just got accepted into the Architecture program last week. I'd say that if you haven't been denied yet, then you have a fairly good chance of getting in.

Like MrBroccoli, for what its worth:
ACT: 30
Unweighted GPA: 3.975
Weighted GPA: N/A
School: Wilmington High School
Class Rank: top 5%
AP Classes: 4
Honors Classes: All others
OGT: Advanced/Accellerated

I bet your involvement in extra curriculars and community service has some affect on your acceptance as well.

Keep us posted and good luck!

Peter M

i have only received a letter that i got cincinnatus. DrBroccoli: I have not yet received any notification other than for the scholarship, I even checked online. Chaswied: why do you say that I have not been denied yet I have a good chance of getting in??
anyway i think my problem is my unweighted GPA :3.4...but my weighted is 4.7...shouldn't have taken all those honors and AP's I guess...

Dadavajr

Peter M, there are two places you should check on the The University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio for your application status. The first is Check My Status. The second is Confirm Admission. Sometimes a student will get information on the second site before getting a status on the first. If BOTH sites do not provide an update to your application, you should call the Admissions Office and ask someone about your status.

Peter M

Dadavajr, I checked both of the sites...none provide any updates. i guess I should call them but it says on the website to only call after january 15 since by then we should know...yet it still worries me

Dadavajr

Peter M,
Call the Admissions Office tomorrow and ask about the Cincinnatus scholarship. They will have to look up your application record. Ask them, "I received an invitation to Cincinnatus; does this mean I have been accepted into UC?" Hopefully they will have an answer for you, including the program to which you've been accepted.

taxguy

Peter, my daughter heard from Cincinnatus BEFORE she found out that she was waitlisted, although she eventually got admitted. There are two separate requirements for the school.

One set of requriements, which is the tougher one, is for DAAP admission

The second set of requirements is for general admission to the university and for the Cincinnatus scholarship. The two groups don't really talk to each other. Yes, it is as rediculous as it sounds,but that is the way that they work. It was true three years ago when my daughter applied there and still seems true.

It is entirely possible that you got a general admission to the university and yet not admitted to DAAP. I think they call that "general studies." Some kids can transfer into DAAP from there IF they get at least a 3.5 overall GPA in their freshmen year.

Good luck.

Peter M

I called today the office of admissions and i asked what Dadavajr said. they simply told me my application was being reviewed...ok...that means i have to wait even more, although i applied late August

Chaswied

"Chaswied: why do you say that I have not been denied yet I have a good chance of getting in??"

I only said that because that is what everyone was telling me while I was waiting for news about my acceptance. They deny people on a rolling basis. That means that you have been in the running for a long time now (since late August) and you still have a good chance. Keeping the positive thought that they hadn't denied me yet (after seeing my friends being denied left and right) was the only thing that kept me from insanity for those looong months waiting.
I'm not trying to give you false hope, just a more optimistic view that goes along with the saying 'no news is good news'.
I know it sucks... I went through it for a week less (and counting) than you... just keep a positive mind. The power of positive thinking is... um.. powerful.

Good luck... I'm rooting for you.

Peter M

ah Chaswied I understand...yeah im hoping for the best too...