College questions from an average student (not a super genius like the rest of you)

Applying to College
1

<ul>
<li>Boston University</li>
<li>University of Miami</li>
<li>Kalamazoo College</li>
<li>Miami University Oxford (OH)</li>
<li>Northeastern University</li>
<li>Adrian College</li>
<li>Michigan State University (top choice)</li>
<li>Indiana University Bloomington</li>
<li>Eckerd College
Schools Under Consideration
University of Illinois UC
University of North Carolina Wilmington

Here are my credentials:</li>
</ul>

<p>GPA: 3.25 (As and a lot Bs, only a few Cs)</p>

<p>ACT: 24 (taking again in sept. expecting 25 to 28, taking a prep course)</p>

<p>ECs:
Captain of Varsity Wrestling Team
JV Cross Country
Internship in Michigan House of Representatives
Internship with University of Michigan Dearborn Professor
100+ Volunteer Hours
Student Council</p>

<p>Awards:
Honor Roll
Leadership Award
Science Fair Honorable Mention
Varsity Wrestling Award
Varsity Letter Award
Honors Courses: 3 </p>

<p>APs: 0 (school only offers 3 and they were all in history (hate history))</p>

<p>State of Residency: Michigan</p>

<p>Recommendations:
University of Michigan Dearborn Professor
A State Representative</p>

<h2>1 Teacher (very good recommendation and I can get more)</h2>

<p>Questions:</p>

<p>Could you see me getting accepted into all the schools, are they realistic choices?</p>

<p>Which schools would you rank reach, match, and safety?</p>

<p>Do you think I should apply to the schools under consideration, do I have a shot at U of Illinois UC?</p>

<p>Also this isnt really important but what kind of financial aid do you think I could get (not need, parents make like 200,000 but 2 other kids in the family in private school?</p>

<p>Where should I start to get information about financial (very confused about)?</p>

<p>I realize I am applying to a lot schools (still narrowing down the list) but I dont want to regret not applying anywhere.</p>

<p>Thank you and I hope for many responses (also I dont think this belongs on the what are my chances thread)</p>

2

<p>the only one i could help you on is BU; i tried applying my stats were a bit more impressive than yours (not trying to toot my own horn) but BU only accepts 8% of their transfer pool [2500 applicants, 225 accepted]. Long story short I was rejected, as for the others no clue; but good luck :]</p>

3

<p>I may have misread your post but I am not a transfer student</p>

4

<p>anyone else</p>

5

<p>oh lol; uhm. your going to need a higher gpa than that. BU looks for freshmen with a 3.9 just like most other universities and as transfer they look for 3.65</p>

6

<p>I realize my GPA is low but I know its not the only factor</p>

7

<p>

</p>

<p>I’m not sure what you’re asking here, do you want to find out about need based FA or institutional merit based scholarships at these schools?</p>

<p>For merit aid go to the individual college websites, that is the only way to find out if they offer merit scholarships and if you qualify to apply for them.</p>

<p>For need based FA, again go to the college websites, and also buy a $15 subscription to the online version of US News & World Report for colleges, they have the most accurate data.</p>

8

<p>anyone else</p>

9

<p>need more useful responses plz
also is Boston University really that competitive
I new I was on the lower end of their stat range but now BU is sort of sounding like an impossibility I thought I had maybe a 25-30% chance even higher if I get my ACT up</p>

10

<p>theres gotta be someone who has the heart to answer</p>

11

<p>I don’t think you have the stats to get into UMiami. Indiana seems a realistic consideration. I am not as familiar with your other choices.</p>

12

<p>Do I have shot at UMiami (correct me if im wrong but colleges look at other things than grades and test scores)</p>

13

<p>Disregard alexander87’s response. The average GPA of BU’s accepted students last year was a 3.45.</p>

<p>I would put Boston U, U Miami, and Northeastern all in the “reach” category. Your test scores put you in the bottom 25% of all applicants, and your GPA is below average for all schools.</p>

<p>Miami U is more of a slight reach - they accept 78% of their applicants however you still aren’t quite “in range” with the scores.</p>

<p>Michigan State and Indiana are safeties - both will be schools you will be accepted to.</p>

<p>If your family is making 200,000+, you’re not going to qualify for any financial aid. Public schools don’t have grant money available anyways, so it’s not a big issue.</p>

14

<p>I figured they would be reaches but my practice tests have been promising scored 26, 29, and 28. So assume I score a 26 or 27 on my retake will that put me at 50% test score range for Boston and Miami?</p>

15

<p>I would still put those two in the reach category. I think you would stand a better chance at Miami U then, in addition to potentially Northeastern. The GPA is low, and at most of these schools it’s all about GPA and test scores.</p>

16

<p>You seem to keep asking the same questions about these colleges and wanting different groups to “chance” you. I have seen this question (and the same answers) several places now.</p>

<p>I don’t think you will get any more “useful” answers than you have until some facts change (better ACT, GPA, narrow your list of colleges.)</p>

17

<p>As far as the LAC’s on your list, Adrian and Eckerd are safeties. Kalamazoo’s a reach due to GPA even with improved test scores. Nearly half of all students graduated in the top 10 percent of their high school class with an honors/AP curriculum, and the middle 50 percent of ACT scores for entering students is 26-31.</p>

<p>Make sure to maximize your chances by applying as EARLY as possible to the rolling admissions schools (MSU, IU, etc) even if you plan on retaking the ACT.</p>

18

<p>I have to say that I am not sure that anyone on CC knows how to accurately chance somebody. It depends on so many other things, like the quality and type of your high school, relationships between your hs and colleges, etc. Better to ask your college advisor or to go onto your school’s Naviance to see where people with your stats got in. If you believe people on CC, you have to have a 4.0 and >2300 to get into anywhere, which, in my experience, has not proven to be true. For example, a girl at my high school got into Penn with < 1700 SAT (and, no, she didn’t have much else going for her, no one can quite figure out how she got in, and that’s my point.) So, lots of factors go into acceptances. Just make your application as strong as you can by emphasizing things that make you stand out.</p>

19

<p>Also remember if you do not get in where you want to go, you can always take a gap year. Do something interesting and try again. There is not law that you must start college the year after graduating from hs. In England, over 10% take a gap year.</p>

20

<p>lol, MQD actually that is exactly what is going on with me, there is a law. I have pretty severe health problems (hemophilia as well as lung issues). In order to stay on my mothers health insurance I cannot take any time off from school. I have to go to college right out of high school and be a full time student. Its unfortunate because I would like to take a gap and go on a mountain climbing expedition in the cascades which I have always wanted to do but alas that will have to wait</p>