<p>3.3 (with mostly honors) URM (African American male) and an essay explaining the low GPA (personal family issues) but a ~2300 SAT score. Also never met his dad (for some reason I think this might play a part)-- with single mom always grew up low income.</p>
<p>Good ECs (volunteering, varsity sport, clubs ect.) and good recs, NHS and AP Scholar, 5 APs (self studied all) got a 5 on all of them, 3 SAT IIs (got ~750 on each), internship (shadow doctor). Has an interest in medicine. Pretty much a standard applicant with the exception of a low GPA...Could that person get in? Not WILL they get in...could they.</p>
<p>An unweighted 3.3 GPA on a 4.0 scale is an 82.5 on a 1 to 100 scale. I’m guessing that score would be too low for a recruited football or basketball player, but the only way you’ll know for sure is to throw in an application. Could that person get in? Possibly, with stellar teacher recommendations proclaiming the applicant is one of the best students they’ve ever had . . . but that doesn’t seem likely with their GPA. </p>
<p>@gibby Are you sure that a 3.3 UW is an 82.5? All this time I’ve been calling my 89 a 3.4 (I’m not applying to Harvard. If you remember my old thread, my Dad let me not apply). Can you tell me where you are getting your scale? I’m not criticizing you, this could just be really enlightening. I always thought a 3.3 was an 88/100.</p>
<p>Oh, I see, you are dividing a 3.3 by 4. I’m not sure that that’s how it works.</p>
<p>It’s time to put the concept of URM to bed. Harvard will likely get a couple thousand African American applications with a 2100+Sat and 3.8+ GPA. Except for possibly American Indian everyone is represented. </p>
<p>Hey guys I miscalculated big time. In actuality it is a 3.5 at minimum lol. </p>
<p>I looked at portal and only 3 teachers had put in final grades. I didn’t know all (majority) of the teachers hadn’t put in grades. So the GPA went up only .1 points and I guessed that by next semester it would only be a 3.3 at that rate. </p>
<p>The only way to know is to apply! You will always wonder if you don’t. The worst they can say is “no”. At least you will never wonder. If you feel that strongly about H. Go for it!</p>
<p>You started another thread a few months back asking the same question. The only people who can really answer you are in Cambridge! Not here on CC. Build a killer app, hit submit & let the chips fall where they may! You will find out on Ivy League acceptance day. Which is (as you probably already know) the last Thursday in March! Everyone is in the same boat as you. Wondering if they will get in. You are not alone!</p>
<p>Have someone read your essays…someone you trust to give solid advice and to check for grammatical errors. </p>
<p>@musktard Even with an explanation like constantly having to move around because of your mom and family? Low GPA can’t be explained away just because you have low income or just because you’re black–but all that moving around was out of my control (as a minor who can’t pick where he lives)
So even with a <em>good</em> explanation in my essay it’s still (most likely) a no go, huh?</p>
<p>@marvelboy2241 Yeah sorry dude. It’s Harvard. They can take someone in a position similar to yours that did not end up with a low GPA. It can’t hurt to try but you shouldn’t be unrealistically optimistic. </p>
<p>It’s possible, but I doubt it. The GPA is more important than the SAT.
Lot’s of people have family issues and pull off good grades… sorry.
Still apply though, because you never know. </p>