<p>Hi everyone I'm a current junior. I'm going to be a semifinalist next fall and I really want to become a finalist for the scholarships available.</p>
<p>My GPA is a bit low however...it's around a 3.6 UW. I got one C (only C in my high school career) this semester in AP Chem but it should be a B/A this second semester. Reading around it looks like C's can stop you from becoming a finalist. I got a 238 on the PSAT and a 2280 on the SAT, and have pretty solid ECs otherwise. I've never gotten suspended or any other disciplinary actions taken. </p>
<p>I'd appreciate some word on how high of a GPA is needed. Thanks.</p>
<p>GPA isn’t a factor as long as it isn’t terrible.</p>
<p>You’re fine; I’m a finalist with a 3.6 UW GPA.</p>
<p>One C is usually OK.</p>
<p>Is the C a semester grade or a quarter grade? Quarter grades don’t count.</p>
<p>I don’t think Cs (at least not one) will stop you.</p>
<p>I had a C (semester grade) freshman year and a C (semester grade) sophomore year, yet there was no problem. I just got better grades junior year.</p>
<p>My guidance counselor said he’s never seen someone lose it for GPA (in the 3.X range), only for disciplinary action.</p>
<p>Thanks for the quick replies! Unfortunately, this C is a semester grade…but I plan on bringing it up to at least a B/hopefully an A for this second semester. Would that hurt me too much? I didn’t do great 1st semester junior, but I plan on doing extremely well second semester for junior year.</p>
<p>BillyMc: Thanks for elaborating on your grades; they are really comforting! Hopefully my first semester junior grades don’t stop me from becoming a finalist, since I plan on doing much better this semester.</p>
<p>How did you learn you will be a semifinalist?</p>
<p>performersmom: I haven’t learned yet but I got a 238 on PSAT and I’ve heard the cutoff is around 220 for the state I reside in.</p>
<p>My son had around a 3.6 UW and a C-plus (year-end grade) sophomore year, and he made it in. You should be fine. However, people do sometimes get turned down for poor grades–if you have several year-end grades lower than Bs you could be in trouble. </p>
<p>I doubt they see semester grades.</p>
<p>they only see semester grades if that is what is on school’s transcript. My kids’ school only puts year-end grades on transcripts, but some schools include semester grades.</p>
<p>One C won’t keep you off NMF</p>
<p>My daughter was named a NMSF with a 3.6 unweighted GPA and two semester Cs in core courses in freshman year. She pulled up her grades substantially in subsequent years, but the Cs were there.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>