<p>GPA: 2.5 unweighted, cumulative gpa
Currently showing a strong upward trend and expecting to finish the year with a 3.8 gpa
SAT(1st): 2180
SAT(2nd): 2340
ACT(1st and only): 31
No academic/school-related extracurricular activities. Absurd amount of hours in community service. Leadership position at church. C2 Education student tutor.
Low GPA first three years of high school due to entering my freshman year from studying abroad in Korea, moving, family changing occupations and me having to help out because my parents don't speak English very well. Also had to take care of 3 younger siblings as the parents were never home. Truthfully, no real desire to succeed in school despite my talent/potential until this year.
I have never received a test score under a 90. My test grades are amazing but my homework grade is horrible. I know this places me in the, "bright but lazy" category. I have taken every AP and honors class available to me until my senior year however. I realize this was a mistake and that I should have continued in the APs. I worry that the colleges will think that I am only doing better because of the easier classes.</p>
<p>Schools I am interested in:
University of Georgia
University of Michigan
University of Illinois in Chicago
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
University of Southern California
Georgia State University</p>
<p>If there are any other decent school that you know of please let me know. Also, I apologize if this post wasn't clear, it's my first post on any forum ever... I'd be glad to add more details though!</p>
<p>Those colleges are probably not a stretch for you, but if you are the only one taking care of your siblings, will your parents let you go away to college?</p>
<p>I would suggest getting help, maybe from someone at your church or someone that your church pastor knows, to put together a narrative of what your plusses and minuses are. Too often I see college students who are caregivers for either their siblings, grandparents, or even parents. How will that work out if something happens and your parents need you to watch your siblings?</p>
<p>I would look at sites like Naviance or Cappex to see how far off you are for those schools. You certainly are not alone with a not too good GPA but excellent test scores.</p>
<p>And have a talk with your parents, about how important college is to you and how you need to have less family responsibility. It is better to talk about it now then when you are leaving for college.</p>
<p>Not sure about the other schools, but I know University of Michigan requires a 3.0+, so I don’t think you can get in. Your test scores are good, but your GPA really really brings you down. Michigan, Illonois U-C, and USC are going to be really tough for you, but I’m not sure about the other three.</p>
<p>Well its hard to rebound from a low GPA even with high test scores. Some colleges might interpret that as being smart and lazy, not a good mix. Not having ECs hurts but comm service is a bonus. Mich is definitely a high reach but the others are matches/high matches.</p>
<p>Well its hard to rebound from a low GPA even with high test scores. Some colleges might interpret that as being smart and lazy, not a good mix. Not having ECs hurts but comm service is a bonus. Mich is definitely a high reach but the others are matches/high matches.</p>
<p>I would use your essay as an opportunity to describe some of the challenges that you have faced and that have impacted your academic record. I know that care-taking of family members is considered an EC by some colleges. Also, if you aren’t successful in gaining admission in this go round, you can always do a couple of years at a community college to resuscitate your GPA and then reapply.</p>