What are my chances of getting into a good college?

Question

I currently hold a 3.9 (about 3.6 unweighted) weighted GPA. I'm in the top 10% of my class. I got a 30 on my ACT. I've taken 3 AP classes and am taking 3 more in my senior year. I'm in 3 clubs including National Honor Society. I play 3 sports a year, basketball volleyball and track and field and i'm captain in all three of them. I work also 3 days a week during the school year. I would like to know what the chances are I could get into a school such as the University of Michigan (GO BLUE!) and what I could do to improve my chances. Also I'm undecided so I'm open to suggestions of other good colleges that I have a good chance of going to.

This question came up because I went to a meeting for high school seniors interested in attending U of M and I realized how many people there are with good acadmeics, leadership, volunteer hours, etc. So I'm just wondering what my chances are. Basicallly I'm looking for suggestions and reassurance. Thank You.

Answer 1

Your chances are very good. My suggestion is to research colleges early. In my experience, often college admissions boards are caught in an onslaught of similar GPAs and test scores and are looking less for a 4.0 than for someone who fits their campus profile. Good research will help you find where you fit. This has the benefit of making your overall college experience much more enjoyable. There are plenty of good schools, but that does not mean they will all be equally good for you.

Along the same lines, research the department that you are going into (unless, of course, you're undecided). A college may have an excellent reputation overall and be great in agricultural sciences but be weak in fine arts. If you plan on being a sculptor, it may not be tha place for you despite its ranking in the top quartile of some national list. Go online and look at the faculty's research interests and where they got their terminal degrees. Look online for a course catalog (or request one the be mailed to you) and see if the classes offered interest you. Check out the core requirements of the college and major and see if they are in line with what you want out of your education.

Finally, apply early. This is especially true if you want financial aid or campus housing. Don't just meet the deadline, be earlier than it. Some things work on a first come basis and you don't want to be number 252 on the list for a 250 bed dormitory. Also, If you have a question, ask. That's what the admissions office is for.

Having said this, college really is what you make of it. I am by no means attending my first choice school (I didnt even know where this place was until I applied), but I am constantly amazed by the opportunities that have come my way here. Stay open to what comes your way, even if it's not what you expected.

Good Luck!

Answer 2

The main tenants that colleges consider are your transcript and grades, extracurricular activities and basically anything else that makes you unique or different from any other applicant. What you have are strong extracurricular activities and considering that your captain of three sports, wonderful leadership experience as well.An ACT test score of 30 is pretty good, but I'd still advise anyone to take both the ACT and SAT. (Remember that not all colleges accept the ACT or vice versa).
Also, the really good colleges look at applicants IN CONTEXT, meaning they aren't comparing you to other applicants. They are looking at your situation in life and consider the possiblities you could have taken and whether you've decided to challenge yourself. You play sports, am involved in clubs, work, and managed to maintained a fairly high GPA. Anybody who's tried to do thier best in everything they've tried has an excellent chance of getting into the top colleges.

Answer 3

I got into a good college with less than what you have, I think you have an excellent chance of going to the college you want. The only thing I would suggest is you look for a college that caters to your interests, like if you want to major in engineering look for a school that has a good reputation for it's engineering program, ask the teacher of your favorite subject to suggest a school, the only other thing I can suggest to up your chances is apply where your parents went to college (if they did), and also if you know what you want to major in try getting an internship, like if you are interested in journalism work as an intern for the local paper. All the things you have on your plate will look good towards any college application, but it looks even better if you have SOME concentration in the field you want to get into, if you are undecided that's cool too, lots of students go to college not knowing what they want to end up majoring in, heck you spend at least the first two years of school taking courses that have nothing to do with your end major! I envy you I really enjoyed the part in my life you are now getting into, my Sr year was awesome! And getting ready to go off to college was exciting! I wish you the best of luck! Don't stress out too much I'm sure you'll get into the school you want!

Answer 4

You have a strong chance of getting in. Have you made your list according to reaches, safeties, and 50/50? Some of your schools may surprisingly reject you, because they figure you are strong enough to get into a more "elite" school (I was rejected from a cal state, but got into George Washington!). Have you also made your list according to affordability? Your GPA is fine if you are not thinking of ivy league. Furthermore, after taking 3 AP courses per semester in my junior and senior years, and all honors courses, I can tell you AP is a waste of time. You take a course, and you MIGHT get credit IF you pass the exam with a score your university will accept. OR, you can go to community college, pass the course, and it counts regardless, as long as it is transferable! IF money is an issue, I would take courses at a community college that transfer over, and you can enter university with half your freshman year knocked off. In other words, in your second semester, you are a sophomore!

Answer 5

You will probably not have a problem getting into UM, and you seem like you'd have an outside chance of getting into some of the top-tier universities in the country. You've obviously managed to balance academics, athletics, and student activities, which colleges tend to like a lot.

One thing to keep in mind: Apply early. If you really want to go to UM as your top choice, visit the college, maybe try to do an overnight with some current students (usually called pre-freshman visit) and if you decide that's the place for you, apply for early admission if it's not too late).

Answer 6

You're kidding me right? I could not create a better applicant if I tried!! You will do just fine! Congrats on working so hard I am sure it will pay off :)

Answer 7

apply for a scholarship and do some stuff and you could get in for a reducted price.

Answer 8

yes u will get into one

Answer 9

I would say - pretty good.