As you can see from my other threads I have been through and overcame a lot of difficulties in my life. I’ve been rejected from Loyola Chicago, University of Illinois Champaign, and Depaul despite writing good essays and telling my story. So now I’m focusing on getting into Illinois State University. Do I have a chance of being accepted? I have a 2.7 GPA and a 20 ACT. I’m ranked 110 out of 239. I’m also considering Western Illinois University which I have been accepted to and Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Which one should I choose? I’m majoring in Communications. And I’m an Illinois resident.
Should I attend Western Illinois University, Illinois State, or Southern Illinois University Carbond
Does your school have Naviance? It can show you where kids from your HS with grades etc. like yours have applied and been accepted.
Have you spoken to your guidance counselor at your HS? Have you considered the rigor of attending college and how you have performed in HS?
I am intelligent, I can do well in college. I just went through a lot in high school such as being homeless and sexually abused by a previous teacher.
If you wan to “go big or go home,” you should go to a community college for one or two years and then transfer to UIUC (yes!) or UIC, depends on your preferences. Not only it saves you money, but also gives you a chance to study at a top-notch university and community. Heck, during your time at CC, you may want to take the SAT or ACT and then transfer to U of Chicago, Northwestern, or other transfer-friendly prestigious universities, such as Cornell University and University of Southern California. Given your circumstances, I’m almost certain that you will get full (or nearly full) financial aid from those private schools.
The only way to show people that “I am intelligent, I can do well in college” is to do it, don’t just tell it. Again, go to a community college, try to get to its honors program, and make the best out of it. Stop complaining and start achieving.
^
Edit: UIUC, UIC, Cornell and USC don’t require the SAT or ACT if you transfer as a junior. If you decide to transfer, make sure to follow their transfer guidelines, take recommended classes as they will strengthen your chances. Don’t listen to any counselor that tells you that you need to have an associate’s degree to transfer.
^don’t listen to any counselor that says you won’t make it in to any of those schools. I have faith in you. Study hard, make good grades, set your goals high, and I honestly believe that you can achieve anything that you want.
@MarieHolland Hey, I just want to let you know that I got accepted to UIUC CS COE as a transfer student. If you follow this sub-forum, you know how competitive it is. I started slowly and was behind everyone else, just like you. But I worked my butt off for two years. And now, I got my reward.