<p>I will be a senior in September and I currently have a 2.8 gpa. I had a bad freshman year but i have brought it up quite a bit. I also scored a 23 composite score on my ACT. I have no extracurriculars, unfortunately. What are my chances into getting into these schools: Southern Illinois University, University of Illinois at Champaign, Howard University, University of Missouri(Mizzou), and Clark Atlanta University.</p>
<p>I'm not very familiar with the Universities you mentioned. But it is obvious that your grades aren't very competitive neither are your extracurricular activities. I don't want to sound mean but maybe you should go for a Community College and do spectacular then maybe after 2 or 4 years transfer to a great University. I don't think many colleges right now are going to be impressed with your credentials. I believe Howard University, University of Illinois and, University of Missouri are kind of out of reach for you, to be quite honest.</p>
<p>Best Of Luck</p>
<p>Agreed you Rosebuds! You should probably use community college as a two year buffer zone until you're on track with the schools on your list.</p>
<p>Um... If you're black, then you'll probably be okay. Sorry that I have to be so direct.</p>
<p>dudecollege that is kind of rude. Being black isn't a "get in free" card. Its kind of insulting, being an African American myself.</p>
<p>I'm not saying it is. I'm saying that, considering these colleges are historically Black colleges, it would help. It's true, not rude.</p>
<p>Dudecollege, I think your comment was insensitive and you should probably think of other people that you might be affecting with posts like that.</p>
<p>dudecollege youre an awful person</p>
<p>I think dudecollege is kind of right. I mean, for example, Howard University /is/ an historically black university; therefore, I would think a black applicant's chances would be raised even very slightly because of that characteristic. I'm not in any way saying that being black is a ticket into a school, though.</p>
<p>Other way around. Historically African- American colleges tend to seek for the "best of the best" among AA applicants.</p>
<p>Southern Illinois University- reach
University of Illinois at Champaign- very high reach
Howard University- very high reach
University of Missouri(Mizzou)- reach
Clark Atlanta University- match</p>
<p>Kingsize, you aren't getting the point; mcshelvy is trying to say that African Americans can get into these colleges more easily than people of any other racial background due to the institutions' African American roots. He did not deny the fact that they are seeking "the best of the best" within the African American community. </p>
<p>Some of you people seriously need to bog off. My statements were truisms and whether you find them to be insensitive or not (although I don't understand why you would) does not counterbalance the truth in them. Historically Black colleges primarily seek (and have always sought) strong contenders from within the Black community over those of any other race. If you believe this not to be the case, then you are not qualified to take part in any of the complex college-related discussions that take place on College Confidential. </p>
<p>Moreover, Howard is a reach... not a "very high reach".</p>
<p>Have to support dudecollege, the OP probably does not need to start at a CC. Black students do get different consideration at many private colleges. Howard and the other HBCUs get some top black students today, but the ivies and their peers get even more leaving plenty of space at these schools.</p>
<p>I encourage the OP to look at some tier 2 private schools. Most state schools do not consider race but private colleges do.</p>