The University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign

“I was very involved in high school and wasJul 20 2008English
I was very involved in high school and was in the top 10% of my class. I was student council president, community service club president, and an active member in many other things like theater and art competitions. I tutored and volunteered. I also played tennis and sang in 2 different choirs.

I know many people who got in by doing much less than I did, so don't be intimidated. I know I was kind of obsessive. I would just suggest trying to get a leadership position in a club you enjoy and keep your grades up. Studying for the ACT would help, too. Don't stress, but take a few practice tests. Keep in mind that you are evaluated as an overall student, not just your scores, gpa, or community involvement.
ACT: 30 Female

“Apply for the Business school otherwise you will beMay 26 2008Economics
Apply for the Business school otherwise you will be locked out of all business classes.
ACT: 29 Male

“In addition to achieving high scores on the ACTApr 22 2008PreMed and Medical
In addition to achieving high scores on the ACT and SAT and maintaining a near-perfect GPA, I also got involved in many extra-curricular activities. During my junior year, I opted to study abroad during the summer and I was involved with many leadership positions.

Do not be intimidated with the size of this university. While there are many large lecture courses, you do have many smaller discussion and lecture courses with a higher TA or Professor to student ratio.

Good luck and don't let anyone tell you that you can't achieve your dreams!
ACT: 32 Female

“I was a pretty good HS studentDec 27 2007Other
I was a pretty good HS student. I had a good GPA and was involved with community activities. I also had a pretty high ACT score. Thus being so the University basically catered to me as far as acceptance. I didnt have to try hard. If I remember right, there wasn't a essay that needed to be submitted. That may not be true anymore. The university accepts a wide range of students. I think if you were a pretty bright kid in HS, you have a good chance of getting in. I also think that little things like clubs, sports, and community service really impact this university's decision making process.
Female