The University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign

“I wasn't anything special in high schoolMay 03 2004Communications
I wasn't anything special in high school. 3.7 GPA. No AP classes. Had the extracirriculars. I didn't think I would get in, but I did.
ACT: 27 SAT: 1250 Female

“The university is very numbers-orientedMar 14 2004Electrical Engineering
The university is very numbers-oriented. They have to be; too many applicants to review everything in great detail. My guess is that above certain GPA/ACT cutoffs you are more or less in, and below certain GPA/ACT cutoffs you are out. There is probably a narrow range in between these two sets of numbers, a 'bubble' category, where things like rec letters, essays, etc count. The best thing you can do - aside from getting good grades and studying your butt off for the ACT - is pick up a statistics sheet showing the top 25%, middle 50%, and bottom 25% ranges for GPA and ACT for the entering class in each college.

One other thing -- if you want to do (for example) Engineering but your numbers are only good enough to get into the LAS college, apply to the LAS college. Once you're here, you can usually transfer between colleges without much problem, so long as you get decent grades (if you want to know what grades you need specifically to transfer, call up those administration offices TODAY, tell them you're an LAS student looking to transfer, and ask what grades you need.) And as you can usually register for most classes in most departments without a problem - and considering that everyone has to take a bunch of gen-ed requirements anyway - you can take a first year of mostly gen-eds, transfer afterward, and still get out in 4 years.
ACT: 33 Male

“Be involved in yourFeb 26 2004Physics
Be involved in your academic studies, take things beyond the classroom. Also study hard for those SAT's.
SAT: 1570 Male

“I kept myJan 23 2004Physics
I kept my grades up and filled out the application form. If you want to get in, just do the same.
SAT: 1510 Male

“Well, I had test scores and aDec 10 2003English
Well, I had test scores and a GPA that fit into their mean range; other than that, I was pretty active in high school (2 sports, 2 clubs, 2 honor societies) and also worked at the local YMCA. Your best bet is to do your best on tests and classes in high school, participate in at least 2 extra curriculars, and be very energetic in your essay. I would suggest, when you write your essay, write about something that is important to you, and how it either reflects on your desire to get into this University or how it represents something about you that would be of value for your University (sports, music, photography,writing, whatever your interest). The application varies depending on which school you apply to, but they all have the basic essay.
ACT: 31 SAT: 1380 Female