Another GPA Question

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hey guys,
I've got a question in regard to GPA.
I'm an IB Diploma candidate so I'm taking all IB classes this year (junior) and my senior year. It's such a rigorous curriculum with the extended essay, CAS, etc. and the difficulty of classes...it's killed my GPA. </p>

<p>Especially at my school, it's tough to get As. Basically, Bs are the norm and even the valedictorian this year didn't have all As on her report card. Unfortunately, my school doesn't do class rank because it's an international school (more like an american school overseas) so students are constantly entering and leaving the school. I know for sure that I am in the top 15% of my class, but my unweighted GPA is a B+ while my weighted GPA is an A-/A. </p>

<p>To what extent do schools take in the rigor/competitiveness of the applicants high school?</p>

<p>I would love to go to USC, however their average GPA unweighted is around 3.7/3.8. I just wish I could tell them that at my school A/B students could really be A+ students at some other schools.
I know the SAT is supposed to take care of this issue (differences in school curriculum and level of difficulty) and I do have a high SAT score, but that doesn't compensate much for the GPA, does it?</p>

<p>Thanks in advance.</p>

2

<p>Honestly, I really wouldn’t worry too much about it. It’s really hard to compare school A to school B, but colleges can usually figure out whether you’re doing a good job at the school you’re at. And if they can’t, SAT scores and teacher recs should help them get a better idea of what kind of student you are. Being in an international school may actually give you a bit of an edge if you can work it into an interesting, thought-provoking essay. If the rest of your application is up to par, I really don’t think you should have trouble with your B+ GPA.</p>

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<p>thanks, but i still feel a B+ GPA is very damaging. And i’m worried that i’m too stuck on usc so i’ll be really disappointed if i don’t get in. </p>

<p>i can definitely use my international experiences in my essay as there are many, and it fits in with my extracurriculars. it’s just my GPA that makes me panic.</p>

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<p>anyone else?</p>