<p>I scored a 2110 on the last SAT (CR:760, M:770, <em>cringes</em> W:580) and I got a composite score of 33 on the ACT (ENG:32, M:30, R:34, SCI:34, <em>cringes again</em> W:7). That's all fine and dandy, 25-50th percentile for Ivies (or so I've been told), however, my cumulative GPA is a lowly 2.03. I had various issues for my first 3 years of high school and, to keep it brief, I was a dumbass. I'm currently holding a 4.something GPA in my senior year and have 4 teachers writing me letters of recommendation. Based on that information, what type of school can I expect to get into. Obviously Ivies are out of the question, but I want to know if a top 50 school like Brandeis or Amherst is plausible.</p>
<p>I would think that a top school is not very plausible in your case.
There are many other schools that will take you.
Have you considered 2 years of CC and then transferring to your state school?
Are there some more local regional schools that have the major you are interested in?
Or look at the schools that you are most interested in ultimately and see what are the schools that tend to transfer there. Do well in your first year at college and show them what a good student you can be. Think long term.</p>
<p>Brandeis or Amherst are exceedingly unlikely. You could try Reed College which only counts grades and scores for 20% of admission. Your best bet may be to attend a CC or directional U and transfer after a couple of years of proving you have turned the corner.</p>
<p>I can’t imagine any top 50 school accepting you. A number of schools below 50 probably won’t accept you either. </p>
<p>Your GPA is such a killer. </p>
<p>What is your budget? How much will your family pay?</p>
<p>With a 2.03 GPA, you are probably looking at minimally selective schools like some of those listed here:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/1562918-updated-list-schools-auto-admit-guaranteed-admission-criteria.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/1562918-updated-list-schools-auto-admit-guaranteed-admission-criteria.html</a></p>
<p>Or you can go to a community college, do well there, and then transfer as a junior to a four year school (probably a state university) that you would not be able to be admitted to as a frosh.</p>
<p>The OP is never getting into Reed with a GPA of 2.0.</p>
<p>If you’re male, try Deep Springs College. It’s an all male two year college where the students often transfer into the Ivies. It’s tough to get in but you might be a good candidate.</p>
<p>I’m not as pessimistic as the other posters. If you have truly turned around and have teachers willing to write LOR to that effect then try small LAC with holistic approaches. You could try test optional colleges but your SAT scores in Math and CR are actually quite good, which, theoretically shows that you have potential. I am guessing you are male so you can also try heavily dominated female colleges which are always looking to balance their numbers. Don’t forget to look at the CTCL listing, you might find some gems there. Finally, I would look at the smaller State schools from your state, that might work also.</p>
<p>With some research you can probably find some solid LAC colleges, just not the ones that roll off everyone’s tongue. Which btw, doesn’t mean all that much in the end. You’re looking for the best college FOR YOU, which probably means one that nurtures and sees who you have started to become, not who you were. Good luck!</p>
<p>Look into some of the Colleges that Change Lives schools …small LACs which offer personal attention. These schools, and other schools like them, might be willing to listen to your story. [Colleges</a> That Change Lives | Changing Lives. One Student at a Time.](<a href=“http://www.ctcl.org/]Colleges”>http://www.ctcl.org/)</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure we have a family member who got in to Chapman with scores and GPA like that. Kid was a brilliant doofus who totally messed up his HS career until mid-junior year. Then totally blew away the ACT on the first try. </p>
<p>That’s the level of school you’re talking about.</p>