Chances?

j111 · 09-11-2009, 01:03 AM

I'm currently applying for UIUC's College of Business.

Unweighted GPA: 3.9
ACT: 32
SAT: never taken; would it help if I did?
School doesn't rank

Most of my classes consist of honors or AP
Senior classes: H Accounting, H Pre-Cal, AP Comp., AP Physics B, AP Chinese, Ap Psych.(my other 2 AP's are Chem and US which were taken last year)

EC's
Key Club 11, 12
Asian Amer. Club 10, 11, 12
Church band 10 (I don't know if this counts since it wasn't for the high school)

Work Exp.
Restaurant Worker 10
Assistant DJ 12

Community S. (hours total around 300)
Elementary School Tutor 11, 12
Church Cleaner 9, 10
Summer School Teacher Aide (Again, I don't know if this counts since it was done during the summer before my soph. year)

No awards...

Certainly am NOT a strong essay writer.

Okay, so what are my chances of getting into UIUC's College of Business(planning to major in Accounting)? I understand that their program is among the most selective and the rate of acceptance is relatively low. I'm very worried about my EC's and the fact that I don't have much business experience, as you can see from my choices of clubs and classes. I'm writing essay #1 about how it's my goal to become an accountant, but as I said, my writing skills aren't that great.

By the way, my 2nd essay is on my experience tutoring kids. Do you think it would be inappropriate to do this as I'm applying to business?

lostsimpsonFG24 · 09-13-2009, 02:51 AM

I hope you get in, because I have pretty similar stats and I'm applying for business.

chriscollege · 09-13-2009, 09:33 AM

My suggestion on essays would be to get out of the box. Don't just write about wanting to be an accountant but try to tie something else in. Have a good opening that catches their eye. Remeber they read thousands. You want to stand out. Of course you want to be an accountant...try to be creative. Just a thought...

xiadane · 09-13-2009, 01:32 PM

You have no awards whatsoever? What about NHS, Dean's List, other Honors Societies?

I had a slightly lower GPA (3.7 or so around the time I was applying) and a 34 ACT. Don't take the SAT. It won't really impact your chances too much. 32 on the ACT is good enough for the Business School.

Your ECs are a bit weak. I wouldn't really include that Church band thing because it doesn't impress at all. Your Community Service looks pretty good though.

Personally, I think you should get into the Business school.. but it's not guaranteed. Work hard on your essays and get multiple people's opinions. Good luck (:

jax90291 · 09-14-2009, 09:23 PM

when i visited u of i last spring, the business dean told me that one of the big misconceptions about their admissions is that your EC's have to be business focused - they don't. so don't worry about that. they want leaders from all kinds of places in the high school world, not just DECA state champs.