Can a student get into GT with low test score but good GPA and good essays?

Let’s say that a student could not study for SAT because he had rough times due to a lot of things. Can a student get into GT with low test score but good GPA? Have you guys seen students getting in with low test scores?

Read through some of these to get an idea of who gets accepted and who doesn’t.

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/georgia-institute-technology/1729605-official-georgia-tech-early-action-2019-decisions-thread-p1.html

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/georgia-institute-technology/1600162-official-georgia-tech-2013-2014-ea-results-thread-p5.html

Based on the above threads, as well as what I have personally observed with previous applicants, it really does seem that GPA and academic rigor are a priority in the admission process. I believe the admissions website also prioritize them above test scores, though I haven’t looked at it recently. Did you take the most difficult courses offered at your high school. Do you have strong AP and/or SATII scores that could somewhat compensate for a low SAT? Did you take the SAT more than once to attempt to gain a higher score? Did you take the ACT? My daughter did much better on the ACT than the SAT. Even though the admissions process seems to prioritize academic rigor, I do believe there is a test score threshold. If your scores are in the lower portion of the mid 50th percentile of last year’s admitted students, you may be able to compensate with strength in other areas. Also, how do you compare to other students from your high school that have applied to Tech. Much depends on how low your scores are and how outstanding your application is in other areas. Good luck!

I’d say a 3.75+ unweighted (with a very rigorous courseload) and a 2200+/33+ would put you in a good position. Based on last year’s decisions thread, it seems like the admissions care a lot about both GPA/Course Rigor/Test Scores. I actually have not seen many people get in with low test scores, but if you can explain your situation, I think you should be fine.

Georgia Tech does a holistic review. it looks at all aspects of the students’ application. This includes the academic vigor, the cocurricular activities, personal statements, letters of recommendation as well as our standardized testing scores. It will be looked at with negative hindsight in some way, but however if you can provide an explanation through additional comments, or through letters of recommendation from your counsellor it would be certainly great and very helpful to your cause. Having a high GPA can make up for this as Georgia Tech emphasizes on academics being a very important part of the decision.

It’s certainly not out of the realms of possibility for someone in your situation to be admitted. That being said, those who fall below the SAT/ACT interquartile range are at a distinct disadvantage.