hi guys, I’m a senior at a high ranking public high school in the suburbs of Chicago. The only reason I mention this is that I’ve heard from many current and former students, parents, college counselors, etc. that my low GPA at my school - since it’s known for being more difficult than the average high school - doesn’t look as bad to colleges as if I got the same GPA at most other public high schools. After taking only honors, advanced honors, and AP classes, my GPA is something like 3.4 weighted.
I have an explanation for my drop in grades in the application and I think I have a good essay. I also have OK extracurriculars (like badminton for two years, piano my whole life, multiple different choirs in and out of school since I was 8, and I’ve had a radio show at my school radio station for two years, and this year I’ll be on the board of the radio station).
I’m looking to major in biology or nursing. Northeastern is my dream school, I’m definitely applying either way but I just want to know if it’s realistic even to have it as a reach. Thank you!!
I’m sure you’ll be just fine, I’m in a similar place of having my GPA not as high as I’d like, however I go to a top 100 public school. I’m sure they recognize that the reason for your gpa being what it is is because the rigor of your school.
Did you apply ED? They might want to defer you to the RD pool in order to get your senior grades in. Keep up the good work so that they see a rising trend in GPA and solid ACT scores.
Definitely apply, my son got in with a 3.6 and a much lower ACT score, He was a 3 varsity sport athlete at a Div 1 high school. member of the NHS and leader, 100 hours of community service, and had work experience, They really look at the whole application, my son loves it! He was admitted to NUin and went to Melbournce, Australia his first semester, it was an amazing experience for him, Go for it, continue to work hard and apply!! Good luck, it’s a great school, we are so happy for him! it is a hard school to get into but you don’t know until you apply and make your essay really good!!!
You’ll be fine. I am also at a very rigorous high school.
My GPA: 3.27
My SAT: 1500
I didn’t have much extracurriculars but I did have 600 hours of community service.
If I got in, I’m sure you’ll have a very good chance too.