<p>The OP apparently hasn’t got his 1200 yet, he is expecting 1150-1200.</p>
<p>If the score comes out in that range, it is indicative, with the GPA and rank, of a weak student by top college standards.</p>
<p>You need to do something to prove yourself academically. Struggling in a top level high school isn’t a situation that will elicit much sympathy.</p>
<p>The problem is, even if you get a very high SAT, then with the low GPA you will look clever but lazy.</p>
<p>You need subject-mastery evidence that you can exceed what is shown by the low GPA. Very high SAT II scores, or a couple of strong APs might do it. Or some academically-based EC and summer activity, preferably with an objective assessment attached to it.</p>
<p>I don’t know…even with the higher SAT scores, you then could be considered a “slacker” who didn’t work to his potential.</p>
<p>My son is also at a top high school in our state, has about a 3.3 (that’s weighted) and 1350/1980 so far (took once, awaiting March scores). He’s a four year varsity athlete and has great ECs, but none of that stuff matters for the large public schools. </p>
<p>He definitely could have worked harder to bring his grades up, and I think that as he matures, he has realized that. But it may be too late for him to get into his dream school…</p>
<p>1200/1860 gpa 3.2: accepted into Penn State University Park (oos), Ohio State, Miami OH, Ohio University, Kent State. 5 large public universities! 4 privates as well. Maybe these aren’t your son’s dreams schools ReadytoRoll or Riggo, but we think he has many solid choices and are proud of his acceptances.</p>
<p>Also a 4 year athlete (football, basketball) great ECs… Maybe these things matter more than you think!</p>
<p>Thank you, HeartArt. That is great to hear. Also, OP there is a thread on the parents forum discussing options for B+ students take a look at it:</p>
<p>We also know a young man with similar stats who got into Pitt, Penn State University Park, Ohio State, and Clemson (all OOS) as well as a couple of in-state schools.</p>
<p>OP, I hear your concern. S2 is in a similar situation and we have told him that excellent AP scores and SATs will help support that it’s a very, very tough school. Look at your school profile (check with the registrar/guidance office) and see how they present rankings/difficulty, etc. They make it clear how tough the school is (or not, but then you can strategize from there).</p>
<p>I am happy to! He especially likes Jesuit schools (we are Catholic), but I want to stress that students from all religious backgrounds (or none at all) are welcome and accepted at these schools.</p>
<p>He has been accepted at John Carroll University, Xavier University, Marquette University, and St. Louis University. ALL with nice merit aid as well I might add! He plans to major in Biology and hopefully attend medical school.</p>
<p>On a personal note, I was rather pessimistic myself when we started the college search and wondered what his opportunities might be. Nine solid choices were many more than I thought we would have. My point in telling you all this is to encourage you not to be discouraged. I believe you are more competitive than you think.</p>
<p>What are some of your dream schools? Maybe we (myself and other CC’ers) can offer some concrete suggestions.</p>
<p>Forgot to mention one other important point. He also attends one of the most demanding high schools in our state and I am sure that was taken into consideration in his application.</p>
<p>I have to say, you seem like a well-spoken (written?) and articulate student. I am impressed just reading your posts. Maybe I missed it, but did you mention your score on the writing component of your SAT? In addition, if you’re a junior, this summer is kind of a last chance to fit something meaningful onto your list of activities. (Not to keep beating this horse, but you might consider a course to bump up those SAT scores before the September sitting.) Also, it’s kind of late for some programs, but many summer academic programs are for rising seniors only…if there is something you are particularly interested in, this would be the time to really hone that.</p>
<p>I more than appreciate your kind words and great advice. Others have also posted some great advice and realistic impressions which is all one can ask. I sit for the SAT for the first time in May, so I am basing my scores on a combination of PSAT and other practice tests that I have taken. As I have said repeatedly, 1200 is a realistic estimate on two components, not including the Writing.</p>
<p>One (hopefully) final note. It seems that most everyone, but not all, wants to put everything within the context of the Ivy Leagues (or similar schools), despite my clear insistence that this is not my chosen, desired, or deserved path. Amazing how some want to refer to 85th percentile as “disastrous”, “stupid”, “weak”, “slackard”, etc. I’m recently 17, haven’t hit my peak yet , probably wasn’t grade obsessed enough as a 14 year old, don’t grade grub enough with my teachers, and will likely have to take the road not taken, which doesn’t include ivy covered buildings. I feel more comfortable with less pretentious, less grade competitive, less trendy and fashion conscious kids that are more likely to be found in mid-size to larger public schools. They are better fits and more affordable than small
LAC’s. For many here, that makes me the anti-christ and to others that makes me a failure. My main objective was to get a realistic assessment of my chances as an OOS student and to get a better understanding of the trend lines in light of some drastic economic changes. Many of you were extremely thoughtful in your responses and gave me great insights. Even Tboonepickens helped in a different sort of way and allowed me to laugh at myself. Thank you all.</p>
<p>The economy may or may not affect state schools the way you think. First, some state schools <em>want</em> to attract oos students because it puts them on the map as national schools. (UMd-CP is an example of this. On another thread, I was told by a parent that their admissions office says it doesn’t even give preference to instate.) But also, there’s additional revenue in accepting oos students and there may be fewer oos applicants because of the economy. So go ahead and apply. You are certainly in the ballpark for all of those schools. Many years ago, I took classes at both GMU and VCU and I have nothing but good things to say about the accessible teachers, small classes and friendly kids. There are a lot of colleges that would be happy to have you-- not just oos publics but even some flagships, as several of us posted in this thread.</p>
<p>Riggo: you wrote that you think your intellectual abilities are much better than your stats reveal.</p>
<p>I don’t understand that statement or perspective. How are (academic) intellectual abilities supposed to be revealed if not in GPA and SATs? College is not about “life abilities”, or the many other kinds of intelligence utilized in navigating successfullythough life – Emotional Intelligence. Spacial intelligence. Social intelligence. Then of course character qualities like persistence, honesty, and even personality traits like effervescence, energy, etc.</p>
<p>The top 50 or so colleges and universities are looking for top 5% <em>academic</em> achievement, top 5% <em>academic</em> intelligence, and then also likeablility, energy, character, etc… but it must start with <em>academic</em> achievement and intelligence.</p>
<p>I’ll bet more than half the millionaires in this country are not even in the top 10% of <em>academic</em> achievement or intelligence.</p>