Click here to go to the NEW College Discussion Forum

second semester sophomore year i recieved a D in honors english, with straight b's in all honors and a.p. classes. first semester junior year i recieved 3 c's in a.p. computer science, ap history and honors physics. i got 2 b's in ap english and honors physics. im positive im going to get at least straight b's in my second semester junior year report card (same schedule). i also got a 34 on my act. do you think im screwed out of going into a good college with my combo of weird grades and everything or do i have a good shot with my good act score in getting into university of illinois urbana-champaign (i live in illinois)? i was thinking with my high act they would probably let me in since people with those scores rarely apply there. i also have add, and started taking medication for it my sophomore year, so do you think if i listed that as a reason for lower grades in the past and i improve on them over my senior year ill have a shot at ..... university of chicago?

By Tricia101 (Tricia101) on Saturday, May 31, 2003 - 03:20 am: Edit

You'll have to explain your low grades (C's and D's). ADD is the perfect excuse. Even if it doesn't really effect your grades, tell them it does.

By ~the_Chosen~ (~the_Chosen~) on Saturday, May 31, 2003 - 08:39 am: Edit

ouch....any low grade in english sucks...

I had a C+ in AP US History, but made up for it with a 4 on the US history exam and also I'm still valedictorian despite that stupid C+ It was a 79.5% and that jack ass didn't curve it for me, he hated me, i aced all his tests so he started making BS up like "participation grades" that were worth a quarter of a test! - I don't work in class, I sleep...

By Fender1 (Fender1) on Saturday, May 31, 2003 - 01:59 pm: Edit

UIUC, maybe
U Chicago, doubt it.

By Yeah10 (Yeah10) on Saturday, May 31, 2003 - 02:38 pm: Edit

what if i get straight a's my senior year in all a.p. and honors courses? because ive been gradually raising my gpa from the first day of my freshman year after taking medication for it, and ive been learning since my hard schedule junior year how to manage my time effeciently and everything since i took blowoff academic classes before that. also...is transferring from one college to another the best idea for me if i dont get in to a good one next year? how difficult is it to transfer into an ivy league or ivy league comparable school after your freshman or soph year at somewhere like uiuc?? do you just need a really high gpa when it comes to transferring or is there more to it? cant you just take real easy classes in a decent school adn get a 4.0 fresh and soph year and then trasnfer??

By Drusba (Drusba) on Monday, June 02, 2003 - 09:28 am: Edit

As to UIUC, it is a misconception that people with 34 ACT's rarely apply there as many do. The two most important criteria for admission to UIUC are class rank and ACT score (or SAT). You must apply to a particular school of the university --like A&S, Engineering, Education-- and each has its different levels of the 25 to 75% range for persons admitted. The ranges actually appear on the application form. If you are looking at engineering, its 25 to 75% range is 29 to 34 ACT and top 8% class rank (and class rank is the most important admission factor). A&S is lower, 25 to 29 ACT, and top 18%. School of Business is in between those and other schools are somewhat lower than A&S. Thus, your odds of getting into UIUC will depend not just on that 34 ACT but your class rank. UIUC uses those two factors to determine automatic admittees. Essays and other factors (such as your explanation for possible low grades) are used to determine all borderlines. You can also improve your chances by applying before November 15 as UIUC uses a rolling admissions and all those that apply by November 15 are in the first group of decisions that go out in December. The school itself states that those early applicants have an advantage. That creates somewhat of a problem for you as you are hoping to rely on some of your senior grades (like after first semester) and decisions on those who apply early will be made without those. To be able to evaluate your own chances for UIUC go to its site and then find its on-line application form which will give you all the ranges for last year's class.

You have the ACT score for U of Chicago but it considers courses taken and grades in core courses as a key factor (probably greater than test score). Likely, that school will be a "reach."

By Uncchlocalmayor (Uncchlocalmayor) on Monday, June 02, 2003 - 09:56 am: Edit

you're fine.

By Annajason (Annajason) on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 04:41 pm: Edit

With your ACT, you'll probably be ok for UIUC. However, Chicago is almost certainly out of reach.

By Fiza (Fiza) on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 06:49 pm: Edit

how do you explain it to an admissions officer. PLEASE EXPLAIN!!

By Andrew05 (Andrew05) on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 06:58 pm: Edit

I feel for you man, I lost my mind with depression freshman year and made up for it this year. I started the medication freshman year and have been better ever since. Now, I am in the most demanding cirriculum getting a mixture of 4.0s and 3.86's keeping in mind that those ivy's and higher level schools are out of reach because of one year's performance. It is definitely unfair that I am going to be judged by one year where the results weren't totally my fault. Thats life I suppose. Keep in there though, if your ECs are good you still have a chance.

By Haithman (Haithman) on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 10:14 pm: Edit

Andrew05 what did you get your freshman year???

By Nyu2010 (Nyu2010) on Thursday, June 05, 2003 - 08:16 pm: Edit

Andrew05, colleges don't pay much attention to your freshman year. Since you are doing well this year, you will look fantastic to any college. In fact, you may have something over the straight A's forever people. You will seem more human and like a persont that can overcome anything.

By Jimjunior (Jimjunior) on Friday, June 06, 2003 - 04:02 am: Edit

yeah10, you should try working a little harder. Unless you attend some super presetigious school anyone with a 34 should be able to get at least a 3.5 let alone a 3.0

By Noangel164 (Noangel164) on Sunday, June 29, 2003 - 10:50 am: Edit

I understand, I also suffer from ADD and LD, and I am SO going to play the pitty card when I apply for college