Chance/match a FL senior with a mid gpa? [3.4UW, 1470 SAT]

Chance Me / Match Me
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this is my first post on cc, please let me know if there’s anything else I should add?? thank you in advance for any feedback… I’d really appreciate if you could recommend me some schools that would fit me well/chance me for the schools I’m applying to.!!

Demographics

  • female, domestic student, Florida resident
  • public suburban HS, class size of around 570
  • Other special factors: none I can think of?

few cost constraints? for UF I plan on getting the Bright Futures scholarship

Intended Major: I plan to double major in entomology/biochem ideally; I’m also okay with a biochem (or similar) major and entomology minor, I know entomology is a pretty “niche” major all things considered??

GPA, Rank, and Test Scores

  • Unweighted HS GPA: 3.45 ; may change by 0.1 or more in like. a few days because I have a grade-recovery credit that’s about to go through lol. for now just go with that number
  • Weighted HS GPA: 4.1 (5.0 scale) ; see above
  • Class Rank: 140-ish out of 570-ish
  • ACT/SAT Scores: 1460 best score (780 EBRW, 680 math) , 1470 superscore (780 EBRW, 690 math)

List your HS coursework

(Indicate advanced level, such as AP, IB, AICE, A-level, or college, courses as well as specifics in each subject)

  • English: english honors 1/2, DE english composition (ENC1101/02), DE world literature (LIT2110/20)
  • Math: honors algebra 2, AP precalculus, AP calc ab, AP statistics
  • Science: honors chemistry, AP chemistry, AP physics 1, AP physics 2, AP bio, AP environmental science
  • History and social studies: AP world, honors US history, DE comp. government, AP macro
  • Language other than English: spanish 1, DE spanish 1 (SPN1121/22)
  • Visual or performing arts: 2D art, speech
  • Other academic courses: AP capstone courses

Awards (no clue how impressive these are? nat merit is pretty good probably)

  • [region] SciOly Gold Medalist (Entomology)
  • AP Capstone Award
  • National Merit Semifinalist
  • AP Scholar w/Distinction
  • National Hispanic Recognition Program

Extracurriculars

the info sections are copied from common app (personal info removed)

science olympiad

  • Competed at regional, invitational, and state levels. Collaborated with teammates and other students. Helped organize study sessions and meetups.

UF SSTP

  • Conducted biochemistry research under Dr. [prof name]. Collected and analyzed data, collaborated with other researchers, and presented results at program showcase.

[piano studio name] performer/tutor

  • Performed a vast repertoire of classical piano pieces. Guided younger students. Helped organize a free holiday concert at a local nursing home.

[magazine name] contributing artist

  • Contributed original illustrations to an online magazine. Met deadlines, communicated with organizers, and offered feedback to other contributors.

[county] regional science fair judge

  • Evaluated 70+ students competing in regional science fair. Discussed rankings with other judges, helped foster love for science in participants.

[school name] gaming club organizer

  • Organized gaming interest club. Relayed announcements, corresponded with sponsors, and promoted at school fair. Grew membership by 50+ students.

[studio name] concept artist

  • Designed characters and monsters for an indie game studio. Collaborated with other artists to create cohesive visuals for an upcoming game.

JHU CTY

  • Completed college coursework on zoology and microbiology at a selective summer program. Ran experiments and presented in a conference-style format.

random club

  • this one isn’t that important ngl I just needed 10 activities…

family responsibility (unpaid work)

  • Unpaid work for family business. Drafted emails, recorded meetings, oversaw bookkeeping, and corresponded with other employees.

Essays/LORs/Other

  • essays are pretty good, I think? I spent a lot of time on them and I think they show a lot of my personality (I do wish I had talked more about my passion for my major in them especially because of how uncommon it is, but other than that they’re unique and very representative of me as a person) I will probably also post them into the essay review board at some point soon-ish but. not right now
  • teacher LOR from AP physics teacher/scioly coach ; I didn’t read it, but I consider his LORs very strong as they got me into a selective internship program :slight_smile: and he knows me very well because of scioly so.
  • add’l LOR/second teacher rec? from UF professor I interned under that I hope is strong? lol. he thought pretty highly of me and I did some pretty good work under him so I’m hoping for the best here.

Schools

  • Extremely Likely: SUNY ESF, Michigan SU
  • Likely:
  • Toss-up: UF (would be lower, but apparently SSTP is kind of a feeder program for UF and I’ve heard a lot of people who complete it get in? I’m not banking on it though)
  • Lower Probability: UGA, NCSU
  • Low Probability: Cornell (respectfully there ain’t no way. still trying though.!!!)

these are just estimates but. I don’t know. everyone else I talk to in my school has way better stats than me and they’re doubting themselves so much more than I am so it’s making me kinda scared to say the least. also let me know if there are other colleges I should consider applying to? I was considering UW and Purdue but I just feel like with my low GPA they’re so out of reach.

I have extra info in my extenuating circumstances section about my low GPA; I had a really bad drop in my sophomore year because of a chronic illness I was diagnosed with but I got almost all As in my junior year so hopefully they take it into account?? I was also not really able to participate in a lot of activities freshman/sophomore year for the aforementioned reasons so. yeah.

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Is your college counselor well informed about the situation with your illness and how it affected your grades? This is the person who should explain this to colleges and vouch for the extenuating circumstances.

I assume you’re probably working from this list already? Undergraduate Entomology Programs | Entomological Society of America There are very solid schools here that you can definitely get into. Are you interested in the agricultural, “pest management” aspect of entomology?

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I have paid a lot of attention to UF results over the last half decade because I used to live in Florida and my 2 kids went to high school in Florida. Your SAT score is great and will have you in the mix.

Here is the strange part. UF clearly states that class rank is not considered. However, of all of the students I have known that have applied to UF (and it has been a lot over the past 5 years), I have seen no better indicator of whether or not those students would be accepted than their class rank. That is why I am really concerned for you. I hope things work out but definitely have some backup options in the works.

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yeah, my counselor is aware! I’m not sure what exactly he said about it but I know he did say something about it in his report

I did look at that list! I’m mostly interested in insect systematics (big part of why I’m applying to Cornell tbh), toxicology, and metabolism/diet (which is why I’m also considering a biochem major). I’m not as interested in the agriculture aspect though.

Off that list, are there any other schools that you think I have a shot at? I’m looking for more schools that I think I’d have a decent chance of getting into…

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huh, I didn’t know that at all, that definitely makes me want to apply to more safety/target schools though haha…

that’s so weird though!! I wonder if they’re just like. lying about what they consider?? or something. I guess we’ll see how it goes

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I think that you should consider other in-state public universities in Florida in addition to UF.

I agree that Cornell is unlikely for your undergraduate study. However, your potential major(s) seem like an area where graduate school is a possibility. If you do at some point consider applying to graduate programs, they will not ask and will not care what you did in high school, and which university you attend won’t matter all that much. What you did in university will matter a lot, and this is all in the future.

I like the work that you have done at UF. Whether getting a reference from a UF professor matters is going to depend upon how well they know you, and it sounds like they know you quite well. I like the fact that you have excelled at piano. There are quite a few people who are quite successful in science (or math, or engineering, or high tech) who are also quite good at music. These are skills that often go together. Doing work for a family business is also shows responsible behavior and maturity. I like the fact that quite a few of your activities show cooperative behavior. Frankly most success in research, or business, or in inventing new things, involves cooperation between a group of people who work together well, and the ability to work with others is very important in almost any activity.

In my experience families that have small businesses often have a problem with the way that private universities such as Cornell compute “financial need”. The affordability of out of state public schools can also vary quite a bit. Quite often the small business owners who I have known have needed to have their kids attend in-state public universities for their bachelor’s degree. However, very often this goes very well.

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Welcome - so there’s a few things to go through here:

  1. I assume you weighted for UF - so adding .5 for Honors and +1 for AP.
  2. The NMSF is huge

I don’t see a budget here but you noted Bright Futures for UF, so I assume you have a limitation?

Some of these schools are upwards of $100K a year - can your family afford them?

That’s first, second, and third - budget. Some of the privates - like Cornell, meet need - so you have to run through the net price calculator to see what it would cost you.

Have your folks fill out. I put below.

Secondly, because you are NMSF, U of Tulsa will be near free. I put the link below. It’s an outstanding school - historically a sub/cross shop for kids that don’t get into Rice or SMU. You get free tuition and housing.

If you go up to NMF, you’d get Alabama - 5 years free tuition, 4 years housing and a yearly stipend. Now a 3.5 is required - I’m not sure if that’s weighted or unweighted. You should reach out and ask. If you aren’t NMF, you get $28K off so it’d be low 20s. Bama is a pure sub to UF - same school, with a lower admission standard/less student heft although at the same time, it has amongst the most NMFs so lots of smart kids getting bought in there.

They have entomology courses and a collection in their museum.

So you have options - depending on what you can afford to spend or want to spend.

Now let’s look at your list:

Likely - SUNY ESF and Michigan State (if that’s what you mean by SU) - agree

Toss Up - UF - I disagree. I don’t think it happens and I’m not sure FSU would either.
Your GPA is too low. But it’s why I noted Bama as a pure sub and given your NM status, if they use 3.5 weighted (not unweighted), it’s a win for you admission and budget wise.. You didn’t ask about FSU but that’s usually what people put second.

I’d put UGA in the same category as UF - unlikely.

NC State - I’d say toss up but leaning unlikely. The GPA hurts here but not being engineering or business may help.

Cornell - you understand already.

Best of luck to you.

Financial Aid Calculators | Financial Aid

National Merit Semifinalist Package - The University of Tulsa

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The U of Delaware Insect Ecology & Conservation major seems like it could be a good fit, and I’m pretty sure you’d get in; Honors College would be a reach but not entirely out out of the question. (UDel is also particularly strong in all things chem-adjacent, because of its DuPont ties.) Rutgers could be a good option too; you won’t get into honors there, but you could elect the Douglass Residential College which has fantastic programs and supports for women in STEM. (Douglass was once a separate, degree-granting women’s college; it became a Residential College when it was absorbed into Rutgers.) It looks like double-majors are supported/encouraged for entomology majors.

Texas A&M has pretty generous merit for NMF, I believe. So does UNL, which I was thinking could be a good safety, but it looks like they’ve eliminated their insect science major (though there are workarounds to still concentrate in the field). Kansas State is widely loved as a “happy” campus; I just wonder whether their entomology would be too ag-ish for you.

I agree that both UW-Madison and Michigan State are worth applying to. Cornell… probably not gonna happen, and anyway, would it be financially feasible if it did?

In one sense, entomology is “niche,” but then again, it’s a highly relevant and important field that isn’t going anywhere. It isn’t niche in the manner of, say, game design, where a niche degree feels more fun and engaging than a broader CS degree but the latter can lay a more robust foundation for career success. In my opinion it’s a terrific thing to specialize in if you know you have the interest, and I don’t see any reason to compromise on attending a school where you can fully pursue that specialty as an undergrad. The schools where you can do an entomology-type major vary in competitiveness, but there are plenty you could get into which still have excellent reputations. The research and mentorship opportunities are there; if you continue your trajectory and distinguish yourself as an undergrad, it isn’t ultimately going to matter whether the college you attended accepts 9% of applicants or 50% or 75%. You’ll be a top performer from a well-regarded program; “how hard was it to get in four years ago?” is not going to be the question anyone cares about as you pursue opportunities after graduation.

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From the list @aquapt posted, K State and Oklahoma State would be worth applying to. K State gets raves from posters whose kids have attended - about the quality of education and experience.

Agree with Delaware and Nebraska.

Wisconsin may be worth an app but it’s pricier than the others, if that matters, and an admission reach for you - like UF and UGA.

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Entomology at Madison is in CALS, which has a bit higher acceptance rate (around 50% from what I could find, compared to 43% overall, and thus probably a more forgiving stat profile as well), so that may help. OP’s weighted GPA isn’t eye-catchingly low, and NMSF is an eye-catcher in the positive direction. I think it’s worth a try if the projected cost is acceptable. Whether it would be a meaningfully better outcome than other flagships with strong entomology programs, I don’t know… but in a hard-to-chance situation like this, I think it’s best to cast a relatively wide net and worry about which schools best optimize fit+reputation+value once the results are in.

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thank you to everyone who responded!!! i’m really grateful to everyone that did, i took a lot of your suggestions to heart :slight_smile:

@tsbna44 budget isn’t really an issue, but for uf specifically it seemed kind of a waste to not go for bright futures (especially since i plan on going to grad school/getting my phd eventually, so if i have the option to save that money then i will) . with that said though i will run through the price calculators with my parents!!

as for other fl public schools (@DadTwoGirls) unfortunately they don’t have an entomology major or minor which is kind of a deal breaker for me :frowning: if i could apply to more schools in state i would!! bright futures is a great deal but my heart is set on insects… lol

@aquapt i ended up adding rutgers, udel, and uw to my list! i might also look into tamu and k-state, but i don’t want to apply to too many schools?? idk. uw is an exciting option though! i had a friend who got in last year and loved the campus and vibe when she visited, so it’s reassuring that you guys think it’s at least within reach…

thank you all so much for your input!! i think that this is kind of a unique situation to be in (i had a very hard time looking for students with similar profiles in the threads. lol) so i guess we’ll see when decisions come out!! fingers crossed

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With NMSF, you can beat Brught Futures, and at Tulsa, you may have a better chance of tight relations with Profs, which might help with getting into a PhD program. Bama is cheap too. And if you like UF, it’s basically indistinguishable.

If you get NMF more options come.

So if you want to take advantage of Bright Futures, you can via UCF, USF, FAU, etc. Have you considered FAU Wilkes in Jupiter ? But NMSF/NMF actually gets you better.

So you have these options.

Let’s be honest, with a Bachelor in bio and most especially a PhD, your likely earnings will be on the lower end.

Just something to think about as you invest in your education.

You likely don’t need an undergrad in the specific major but more classwork related via bio or perhaps in another department at other schools.

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What are your cost constraints? You said that you have few cost constraints, so it sounds like there are some.

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You said that your disease is chronic. Do you need a location that is near doctors who can provided specialized treatment and/or monitoring?

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That is great! Thankfully you don’t seem to be in a position of having to choose between studying what you love, and graduating without debt. It’s not like this is a whim; you have a demonstrated commitment to a field of interest, and not all schools offer it in the depth you are looking for. There are great options at varying levels of admissions competitiveness, that your parents are comfortable paying for. You’re fortunate both to have that level of support, and to have clarity about your passions. My opinion is that filtering for your desired major is completely appropriate, even if not everyone sees the value of that pursuit or understands what the career opportunities in that field would look like.

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No disagreement - OP stated they wanted to save for the family but if they can find the right program and can afford it.

My guess is the Ok State, K State, Nebraskas will be on the cheaper end of the spectrum. All fine schools.

Nebraska may offer the Chancellor’s Tuition Scholarship for National Merit (it doesn’t say Finalist): Recipients are awarded full non-resident portion of tuition plus $4,000 per year for up to four years.

Note: National Merit Scholars may qualify for an additional $500 stipend in partnership with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

In state tuition this year is $11,100 so that makes it $7,100. Add Room and Board and you’re in the low 20s.

Even without, UNL will be competitive.

K State - not sure if they take your weighted or they re calc - but with a 3.9+, you get OOS tuition waived - so that’s $26,346 this year including room and board.

OK State you’re either getting $14.5K or $15K - depending on which GPA - your 1460 SAT gets you there.

Right now that’s $41,940 so take off $14.5K and you’re mid-high $20s.

Bottom line, all three schools will be, likely not much more than the Florida schools!!

So you can have your cake and eat it too in some ways!!

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IIRC, UNL gives Chancellor’s for Natl Hispanic Recognition as well, so that’s secure even in the very-unlikely event of NMF not coming through.

Lincoln is a nice student city too.

Question is whether the elimination of the major implies significant cutbacks in course offerings, faculty, and research in the desired field, or if it’s just an administrative consolidation of undergrad majors and the same opportunities can be accessed in a different way. Could be worth looking into, since it’s otherwise a great school for a great price.

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Welcome to cc! And congrats on having an academic goal that is clear and strong. I would follow @aquapt ’s advice and find first the schools that offer your desired major and courses and opportunity to do research with faculty (will all help not only with your getting the college experience you desire, but will help with grad school applications/pursuits) and then narrow down by affordability and chances of admission.

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