Chances / Where should I apply?

Chance Me / Match Me
1

<p>Hello, I am an Asian male currently attending a very competitive residential magnet school in Illinois (IMSA). Since getting good grades are much more difficult here, my junior/sr. gpa is around 3.2-3.3, while my freshman year gpa is 3.8. I have taken challenging math and science courses.</p>

<p>I took the ACT twice and got a 33 highest composite with a 34 super score.</p>

<p>Research:
I have done research on Alzheimer’s disease at University of Chicago and have a chance of being published as a co-author on a paper.
I plan on continuing research over the summer as well.</p>

<p>Volunteering:
Over 150 hours at local hospitals
50+ hours at Alzheimer’s patient nursing homes</p>

<p>Ecs:</p>

<p>Speech team - 3 years
Varsity volleyball team - 2 years
Orchestra - 4 years (decent at violin)</p>

<p>Not in too many clubs, but hoping my interest in research will make up for it.</p>

<p>I know that my gpa is pretty low, but what are my chances for premed at:</p>

<p>ED:
WashU
Cornell (legacy)
Vanderbilt
Emory</p>

<p>Regular:
University of Michigan Ann Arbor
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
University of Notre Dame
University of Wisconsin Madison
University of Illinois Chicago
Case Western Reserve University
Northwestern
UChicago
UMiami
GWU
Duke
Georgia Tech</p>

<p>Liberal arts:
Carleton College
Grinnell College</p>

<p>I plan on taking SAT II’s in math level 2 and bio and will likely get 750+.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Your ACT score is pretty good but, as your said, your GPA is going to hurt you. You should try to find out which schools care less about GPA. Although the admission office will make some adjustment based on your school’s grading system (they send people to each school to collect school profile information each year), you still cannot get to low in GPA compared to the admission stat since it already includes cases like this already.
I think UIUC may be a match for you. Although your GPA is below their average (3.57), you ACT score is higher than their 75%. You may want to use this school as a reference and find out more in the same tier. UMich requires much higher GPA with an average of 3.83 and ACT 33 is right at the 75%, so it would be a high match to low reach for you depending on how they evaluate your school grades.</p>

3

<p>Thanks for the input! In terms of GPA, I might be able to raise it by .1 or .2 by the end of 1st semester senior year. I tried to make my application themed towards research and interest in Alzheimer’s disease. Do you have any idea about my chances at the other schools I am considering?</p>