What School can I get into to

I am a junior in high school and basically I didn't do so hot I am going to be finishing junior year with a 3.2 cumulative gpa and I got a 27 on the act but I can probably get my act up to like at least a 29. But with such a low gpa I was just wondering what schools I should consider if I want to be in IB..... Right now I would like to go to university of Michigan but that is pushing it with my grades, same with most recommended schools. I think maybe a school like Texas a&m or university of Pennsylvania even though I couldn't get into wharton.... Idk any advice would help

23 Comments
 

Cast a wide net...with those stats you'll likely not get into a top target, though apply to a few, especially whatever your top instate school is. Utilize this site early and often. If you're already using this site as a resource, don't worry...you'll break in. Just remember to network, get decent grades (3.6+ preferably), join some extracurriculars, and buy the guides to finance interviews.

Sometimes lies are more dependable than the truth.
 

I wish I knew of this website in high school...you are lucky.

To answer your question though, it will be tough to get into a semi-target even, let alone target. However, just because you are at a non-target doesn't mean you can't break in, especially because you already know of this site. Just use it as much as possible and you'll be fine.

 

Maybe he would be better off attending junior college, getting good grades there, and then transferring to a decent school (semi-target at best most likely)? I know people that have been in a similar situation and gotten into reputable banks in this manner.

OP, any geographic preferences?

 

You're in good shape. I'm surprised that you actually know what you want to do at such an early age. Good for you.

Utilize this and other career-focused websites and make sure you work your ass off. As far as colleges go, go to the best school you can get into then transfer out after getting good grades your first year or two. One of my friends had very shitty high school grades, he went to a shitty open-admission university then transferred to Texas Tech then transferred to UT-Austin to their engineering school.

 

Honestly, with those stats you won't get into a top target. Your most realistic shot is a school like the University of Indiana that you could get into but is not a complete not target.

 

Money isn't the biggest issue I can afford to go out of state.... But I guess my question is more along the lines of is going to like Texas a&m or school like it which are considered semi targets worth it....mom from Missouri and I reallly think stay in state would be my worst decision.... But wild my best be staying for community college or going to the best semi target I can get into

 
Best Response

Go to collegeconfidential.

This game is only getting harder, WSJ did an article about more top students applying to a higher number of schools. Many more are applying to 10+ schools.

I wish I knew what a Target was... I only applied to a few target schools, then a ton of top-tier liberal arts schools. Ended up going to a small local liberal arts school for close to a full ride, but if I would have understood how on campus recruiting worked, I would have applied to different schools and have been less debt-adverse. I had a 4.4/3.8 and a 1480 sat, got rejected across the board at ivies and got into a few semi-targets. It's a tough game and you really have to be able to make yourself stand out.

With those numbers, I'd go for broke at a flagship state school. Dominate your essays and find some SOLID recommendations. I went with some academic teachers who I didn't know the best, I'm sure that cost me. I had good grades and solid performance in their classes, but they didn't know ME. I should have gone with my band director who I knew extremely well and had seen me operate in leadership capacities.

Your numbers get your application into the reviewer's hands. Your essays/recs help separate you from the masses. Focus on those.

 

Those schools are really hard man. I went to a top prep school had a 3.4 and a 1400 and did not get into either Penn or UMich. I would recommend going to UC-Irvine or Santa Barbara for a year, focusing exclusively on school and getting a 3.7+, and then transferring to Cal or UCLA. I think they have some sort of guaranteed transfer plan if you meet certain criteria.

 
farmerbobIf you're gonna apply to schools outside the Midwest, take the SAT. Trust me, they don't really value the ACT and your test score is the only thing that's gonna help that GPA.

As far as schools, I'd try Big10/12. Those are big schools with large alumni bases. You could always transfer out. Also, Vandy could be a good option.

I'm currently working in test prep. Everything I've heard from people higher up than me and more plugged into the industry is that the ACT is on the rise and has become more prominent out of the midwest.

My personal experiences though? The SAT is a much easier test to study for/do well on. I applied to 15 or so schools and they all preferred the SAT. Go get an official SAT practice book, read through the prep sessions, and do the 10 official practice tests. As long as you've taken basic math and english courses in HS, there's no good reason to not score 700+ on the sections. Most students come in bombing grammar, but there are about 5-10 easy rules to memorize that will get you to where you need to be. The main problem students have with the SAT is understanding the questions. The concepts covered are not advanced at all, it's being able to decipher the questions. That comes through practicing through actual test questions. Very similar to studying for the GMAT...

 

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but people who are suggesting Vandy, UT-Austin out of state, and other similar caliber schools seem out of touch with college admissions. Vandy with a 3.2 would probably need 1500+ on the SAT. Schools like Illinois and Wisconsin could potentially be decent schools for you to consider but again may be on the more unlikely side given out of state. I would recommend Indiana and Miami of Ohio, both solid schools that you should be able to get into.

 

I suggest taking the SAT.

"For I am a sinner in the hands of an angry God. Bloody Mary full of vodka, blessed are you among cocktails. Pray for me now and at the hour of my death, which I hope is soon. Amen."
 

Youre a junior in high school, so you have time to work on your sat/act. I was in a similar situation as you were, in terms of sat/act scores, but I managed to study hard enough to get a 2180 on my sat and later get accepted to penn. Keep in mind that the average sat for penn Cas this year was a 2190, but with a gpa like that you should try to get a higher sat.

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