Please help me for advice for UM?

ZincWhiskers
Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:44:56 +0000

Your GPA is a bit on the low side - assume 3.5 uw is on a scale of 4.0. Your class rank is good and I’d say in line with others that have received the 20k scholarship. But to be honest with you, one strong factor will not put your app in the 20k pile. You need to back up that rank in class with at least a couple of these:



above 30 on an ACT retake
1400+ on the M + CR sections of the SAT
Strong EC’s showing leadership, passion, drive
Hooks: parent or sibling alumni of UM, first generation college, URM
Great essay and great recommendations



I don’t know if not reporting your AP scores will negatively affect your chance for the scholarship. I guess if I were in admissions and saw APs reported as “passed”, I’d assume a score of 3. Again, if I’m looking at 2 applicants who both sort of qualify for a 20k and one has AP scores of 4 and 5, I’m probably going to pick them. So, I’m agreeing with Chinadoll - score well on the AP tests!

Regarding the cheerleading - that does sound like a great EC, especially if you actually become a cheerleader for a pro team. And, I’m not sure if UM has any athletic scholarships related to cheerleading - I know some schools do - something you should look into.

I’m kind of guessing you live in the Miami area? If so, you should definitely visit the campus, make contacts with people in admissions and also in the school you’ll likely apply to. Meet with professors. Some of the schools have a peer counselor program (http://www.rsmas.miami.edu/assets/pdfs/undergraduate/Peer-Counselors-2011.pdf).

I apologize if I sound a bit negative for your chances at the 20k, but based on what I saw last year and this, the competition is strong and if you really want the prize you have to be stronger!
~Zinc