Can I get into OSU?

Applying to College
1

<p>I did poorly my first two years of school. My cumulative gpa is a 2.8, but at my high school, the grading scale is harder than regular schools, so we’re graded harder and it’s difficult to get a 4.0. I swim and play water polo and since my freshman year, my team has won two water polo state championships and 3 swimming state championships. My sophomore year, last year, I went to states in the 100 breastroke and went a 1:07. My dream college is OSU and my second choice is Miami University in Oxford, OH. My GPA for first quarter should be a 3.5/3.4/3.3 – somewhere in that range. What do I need to make sure I do this year to get into OSU? If I place within the top 8 at swimming states this year in the 100 breastroke, will I stand a chance in making it into either OSU or Miami? What should I aim for with my ACT/SAT scores? (I haven’t taken them yet). Is my GPA going to bring down my chances badly? Also, this year, I am taking AP Literature, IB Psychology, Honors Chemistry, and Honors German. My freshman year, I took Honors English and next year, I plan on taking AP English, AP German, AP Biology, IB Psychology, IB Mathematics, and AP Government. Do I email the swim coach about my times? Last year, they were okay, but they should really improve this year.</p>

<p>So overall, what do I need to do this year to get into OSU or Miami??</p>

2

<p>Also, my father went to graduate school at OSU and he was a professor at OSU for two years. I also have an extensive list of teachers and coaches who would be delighted to write letters of recommendation for me. I’m also a very active service member and I am involved in the German Club at my school. I also work as a lifeguard over the summer, teaching kids how to swim. Would that help at all?</p>

3

<p>

Does your 2.8 GPA put you in the top 25% of your class? The Common Data Set <a href=“http://oaa.osu.edu/irp/publisher_surveys/2011_Columbus_Campus_CDS.pdf[/url]”>http://oaa.osu.edu/irp/publisher_surveys/2011_Columbus_Campus_CDS.pdf&lt;/a&gt; shows that 89% of enrolling students are in the top 1/4 of their class.<br>

Has your swim coach contacted OSU or Miami? Have either of the colleges called you? You need to ask your coach about whether that is realistic.</p>

<p>Alumni Relations have no impact on OSU admissions.</p>

4

<p>Yes, and colleges cannot contact athletes who are in 9th, 10th, and 11th grade until next summer.</p>