<p>My GPA is currently at around a 3.34
I haven't taken the official SAT test but I've been taking practice SAT tests at my tutoring facility and my scores have been improving to the point where I'm breaking 2000 (which still isn't anything to brag about but I hope it's something).</p>
<p>Is this combination bad in general for most colleges?
How would colleges such as UNC, UCLA, Georgetown, UMD, Syracuse, Penn State ...?</p>
<p>Google “common data set” and the college name. Look at section C7 and you’ll see stats of the kids those colleges admit.</p>
<p>A higher SAT is better than a lower SAT, but one does not really “make up” for the other. The admissions committee start with the transcript to look at your strength of schedule, the willingness to challenge yourself and your success in the classroom. The SAT or ACT are part of the picture, but not as central. Best of luck!</p>
<p>Many selective college’s have a section on their website called “What We Look For” which answers your question. For example, this from Yale</p>
<p>
The reasoning is simple: your SAT or ACT score is a 1-DAY window into your potential as a scholar, whereas your transcript, detailing your GPA and course rigor, is a 3-YEAR window into that same potential. Your GPA translates to an 83.5 on 1-100 scale, so schools like Georgetown are not a realistic option for you. You should be looking at schools more like Syracuse, and others which are on this list: <a href=“http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/a-plus”>http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/a-plus</a></p>
<p>“UNC, UCLA, Georgetown, UMD, Syracuse, Penn State”
Run the Net Price Calculator on each college website: out of state public universities charge
special “OOS tuition” AND do not offer financial aid. Consequently, they’re as costly as private
universities… without financial aid!
UNC, UCLA, and Georgetown are likely out of reach academically.
UMD, Syracuse, Penn State: at least of one the three is likely to be out of reach financially.
Your SAT score can help if you apply to very large public universities that use a combination of GPA/SAT
to determine admission, including course rigor in consideration.
With that GPA and test score, you may do well at a “college that changes lives” (ctcl.org) so look into a couple of those.</p>
<p>Does it help for “most” colleges? Well, it’s def good for auto-admit colleges that admit solely on a calculation of GPA and SAT. In those cases, a high test score can help quite a bit. It can help with schools that have automatic merit for a certain level test scores (some do a combination grades and scores but high enough, and some will give merit just on scores.) </p>
<p>It can help in those really unique situations. A child living in extreme hardship, for example, with an understandably low GPA but whose test show their capacity is high and they could thrive if placed in a safe learning environment. A child with an amazing, nationally recognized talent but a low GPA would be a little easier to admit if they at least had high scores.</p>
<p>For the most selective, it might help out a borderline GPA… like a 3.7 or 3.8 uw. Doesn’t “make-up” for the lower GPA but a high score could keep a kid in the running if they are also interesting in other ways. It’s not going to do much for those with a lower GPA though.</p>
<p>There are lots of great schools. Certainly apply to some reaches that you love but really dig around for other wonderful options where your stats will comfortably get you in.</p>
<p>Yes and no. One could be very smart but have special circumstances that lowered GPA, in this case a good test score would help a lot to show the school one isn’t dumb. </p>
<p>I do think Test scores are more important than GPA though, even if it starts a flame way. GPA has way too many variables between different students from different schools. One could be stuck with a teacher who is an idiot and hates a student. Standardized test scores are an apples-apples comparison of applicants.</p>
<p>Your school report may compensate your low GPA more than the SAT score. It will show how rigorous is your course load and also the grading system of your school. If you have high class rank, that may help too. The GPA curves vary a lot from school to school. Having a GPA 3.34 may be more valuable than 3.8 in other schools. SAT scores does not compensate your GPA but it is another factor in the holistic review as it has nothing to do with your GPA. While your school report, class rank, and course rigorous are related to your GPA and they will be considered altogether.</p>