I’m a junior and have a 3.05 GPA, and a 35 ACT score.
I’ve taken 2 AP classes this year, and am taking 4 next year.
I’m a white male, and for extra curricular I have played in 3 sports in high school, and 1 on a varsity level. I’m involved in 4 clubs, and participated in original science research for a year.
I plan on applying to Lehigh, Bucknell, Lafayette, SMU, Tulane, Texas A&M and Santa Clara University, and I was wondering what my chances would be at these colleges. I would also like to know what applying ED would do to my chances at any of these schools. Thank you for your time.
Its hard to say due to the fact that your ACT is so high but comparably your GPA is pretty low… Seems like Lehigh, Santa Clara, bucknell might be reach/target schools, lafayette and Texas A&M could be targets, and SMU and Tulane pretty good chance… You might want to strengthen ECs and where you get in all depends on what that school values more, GPA or SAT
Your GPA really is low when compared with your 99.5 percentile ACT score. Colleges might think you just didn’t put forth as much effort as you could in school, and then just breezed through the ACT due to super-human intelligence that you never bothered to employ.
I’m sure you have your reasons for your GPA, of course. I’m just letting you know what might run through an adcom’s mind.
I have to agree with @Haileywilliamss; the large discrepancy between your GPA and Act may very well be off-putting for many selective schools, esp. if they are somewhat holistic.
Good chance with Texas A&M and Santa Clara
Ok chance at Lafayette, Tulane
I’d say ok shot Bucknell and Lehigh, but to a lesser extend. Still apply, though; you’ve got a shot.
It will be interesting to see how it works out. If I had to make an ED1 suggestion, I would go hands-down Tulane; the difference between their ED1 and RD acceptance rates this year was quite surprising and large.
I just visited Tulane last week. They pride themselves on requiring community service. Furthermore, they admit 78% of their class ED or EA. If that is a school you are serious about, I would recommend adding some community service to your EC and apply early. Good luck!
Can’t speak to Texas A&M or Santa Clara, but Bucknell, Lafayette and Lehigh are peer schools, at least for kids coming from my kid’s high school and published admissions stats suggest the same. Tulane is now very competitive and certainly isn’t any easier to get into than these schools.