The University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign

“Do a lot of activities in high school andDec 13 2008Nuclear Engineering
Do a lot of activities in high school and be involved. I was not a perfect straight A student in high school but I was pretty high up there and involved in activities. My ACT score was slightly above average and I still got into the engineering program. Do not sell yourself short be confident when filling out your application.
Also, recommendations do play a role in the process so stay on good terms with your hs teachers.
If you get on the waitlist make an effort to call the school. Do not be afraid to ask them what you could do to make their selection easier or make you a more competitive candidate. Showing effort will make a difference.
Female

“I tested well to get in to IllinoisDec 13 2008Other
I tested well to get in to Illinois. Also, i managed to get my GPA up to an B+/A- range while taking a lot of Advanced Placement math and science classes as I knew that I wanted to major in engineering. The main thing is that I focused hard on doing well in the extra classes. Work hard and make sure to do the best you can on the standardized testing. Be involved in at least one organization or club outside of normal academics.
ACT: 32 SAT: 1510 Male

“Get involved, go party, watch the teams, check outDec 08 2008Other
Get involved, go party, watch the teams, check out concerts, GO GREEK, and make the most!
Male

“I was in the top 7% of my fairlyOct 10 2008Mechanical Engineering
I was in the top 7% of my fairly large high school and scored a 34 on my ACT, which made me a good candidate for acceptance. As far as I can tell, the best way to get in is to get a high GPA, do well on your standardized tests, write intelligent application essays, and cross your fingers that you are accepted
ACT: 34 Male