<p>If anything, a second standardized test showing test scores way higher than the gpa just continues to highlight issues with work habits/work ethic. Moving grades up spring semester will be much more influential.</p>
<p>I agree with arabrab. My S got a 32 on the ACT, no prep, GPA below 3.0. He wanted to take ACT again because his best friend got a 35. I told him no way, you don’t need an even bigger gap! Maybe try and beat your friend’s GPA instead.</p>
<p>“Sadly, he has little interest in applying himself for his school work and often doesn’t even hand in assignments.” - That concerns me. A 3.2 GPA is decent, but my guess is that he’s achieved that with wing-it methods. (You can read about many bright but disorganized or unmotivated kids on these threads. I had one myself.) Consider milking the ACT for fabulous scholarships and not pursuing overly-challenging schools</p>
<p>I do agree with others - this semester is critical… not just for college acceptance, but to help parents understand how much college rigor (and reach-choices) will be appropriate. . </p>
<p>Thank you all for your interesting insights and suggestions. Mom2and hit the nail on the head with her reply. Of course we have been advising our son to step up to the plate with his academics and rise to his potential which was demonstrated by his ACT score. We have been trying to get through to him for years with little success. He is aware that this semester is critical for his college applications and that schools look favorably upon students who get their act together, mature and improve their academic performance.</p>
<p>Only time will tell.</p>
<p>His GC has advised against him taking the SAT1 with this ACT score. Looks like we are all in agreement.</p>
<p>My 3.2 UW, 35 ACT, 11th grade son did a few college visits 2 wks ago. He says that it’s motivating him a little to get his grades up. We will see if it actually translates to results. Maybe this will work for your son.</p>
<p>Realistically, 5 semesters’ of 3.2 GPA with 1 semester of 4.0 will result in about a 3.33 GPA if the same number of graded classes were taken each semester (may differ if the 4.0 GPA semester has more classes than the average of the other 5 semesters of 3.2 GPA). However, an upward trend can be helpful if applying to schools which look at courses and grades holistically.</p>
<p>A co-worker’s son got an ACT of 33 without any effort,yet had some F’s from the least challenging high school in the city. He did not even go to college, but supposedly is happy - he and his wife have low paying jobs but no kids. Parents were divorced and too disorganized to help direct him.</p>
<p>Hope the OP and other with s under potential see a change with their s before going to college. Maybe interest in a girl will motivate them - I have heard that happening to some friends’ sons.</p>