Chances? Will they overlook my GPA?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Reed College
1

<p>Hi there. I already know I'm applying to Reed, but I just wanted to get a sense of how low my hopes should be. </p>

<p>I'm a Caucasian female from Southern California, public school that does not rank.
3.3 UW GPA.
3.6 Weighted GPA.</p>

<p>2200 SAT, but I retook and am expecting better. (660 M 750 CR 790 W)
700 Lit SAT II
760 American History SAT II</p>

<p>Took two AP tests and got 5's, English Language and American History.</p>

<p>Essentially, I am that kid who sat in the back of your class and never turned in any homework but actually participated in discussions and did well on tests. </p>

<p>EC's:
-Theatre nerd. Just like every other theatre nerd. I've run our school's improv team since freshman year and we put on shows once a month.
-Debate geek. I co-founded Mock Trial freshman year and have been VP ever since.
-Church leader: I have a group of 16 twelve year olds that I meet with once a week to do Bible study (11th and 12th grade)
-I'm the head of our school's Honor Court (disciplinary committee) </p>

<p>I worked for a year as a gymnastics coach and wrote my Common App essay about that.
Everyone thinks their essays and recs will be stellar, so I'll skip that part.</p>

<p>Why Reed?</p>

<p>This part started last year when I visited campus. I had done 5 other college tours already and the excitement had worn off. And when I set foot on the campus, I got butterflies. People were READING. TALKING. I met students who were passionate about their classes and their theses. I love the community. </p>

<p>My interview scared me to death, honestly.
I was expecting questions about my EC's, and my interviewer started off asking me to define "free will."
I'm sure the answer was less than coherent, but I was immediately intrigued.
A place that surprised me. </p>

<p>In September of this year, I started writing for the Reed College newspaper. I emailed and said I was interested in journalism, and asked what opportunities would be available to me if I attended Reed. And they gave me my own column. </p>

<p>So that's why I love Reed. Because, for no reason at all, they chose to love me.</p>

<p>I know my stats are low.
I didn't try at all, to be frank.
My classes in high school were boring and I didn't see a reason not to blow it off.</p>

<p>But after being on the campus, I was reminded just how much of a geek I am, at heart.</p>

<p>And I'm going back in a week to eat Thanksgiving dinner with the Reedies and hope against hope that the ad com's will take pity on my soul. </p>

<p>Wow. Chances?</p>

2

<p>No, they will not overlook your grades. Nor will any other college. </p>

<p>That doesn't mean you don't have a shot, but anyone who tells you that a college will "overlook" your grades is lying. </p>

<p>Along with the rigor of your high school curriculum, grades are the most important factor colleges weigh in making admissions decisions. And, that includes Reed.</p>

<p>Here's an article you should read about how Reed makes admissions decisions. In particular, pay attention to the last page of the article, which provides the rubric Reed's admissions committee uses to evaluate and rank applicants:</p>

<p>Reed</a> Magazine: Many Apply. Few are Chosen. (1/5)</p>

<p>Reed's average GPA for admitted students last year was a weighted 3.9. So, you're not totally out of the running, but you're probably not near the head of the pack either. </p>

<p>Good luck, and my fingers will be crossed for you. But, don't believe that grades don't matter. They do.</p>

3

<p>So, here's the thing. You're definitely doing the part of showing that you can be a part of the community, that you love Reed, and as you said, they love you back, at least a little. Unfortunately, with so many students applying, the median stats are climbing, and it's getting harder to get past the initial filter. </p>

<p>If you were my kid, I would be poking you to <em>really</em> put on the effort now, academically. I'd be encouraging you to try to show that your enthusiasm can translate into doing the grind in school now, that you didn't "get it" before, but now you find yourself really striving to be a part of that community. I'd encourage you to continue to seek contact with the school the way you're doing, and to apply and cross your fingers. </p>

<p>But I would <em>also</em> be recommending that you find similar less selective schools, perhaps closer to home, or maybe close to Reed. I'd suggest that you prepare yourself for the possibility of going elsewhere, or, if you really want it, of pursuing a transfer after a year -- a year that you REALLY busted ass to show you can do well academically. </p>

<p>I think, honestly, that you start out with an advantage over strong stats kids who have no interest in Reed as other than a top ranked LAC, but I don't know if that advantage will be enough if the applicant pool this year is even larger and more competitive than it's been.</p>

4

<p>PS: And your app DID make clear that you write for Quest and all that, right?</p>

5

<p>I was wait-listed with roughly similar stats, for what it's worth. It looks like you have a stronger application than I did, so I'd say it's a definite reach but you're not out of the running.</p>

6

<p>Hey! I'm the exact same way -bad GPA good SATs, love to learn but not yet extremely motivated to work as hard as I should. But your GPA and SAT scores are better than mine, haha so I really hope you get in. Maybe I can tag along too?</p>

7

<p>Just a quick update, my SAT scores went up to 2310 (770 CR, 740 M, 800 W) and my 7th semester grades were my strongest yet (4.5 GPA).</p>

<p>I'm crossing my fingers, but I wouldn't blame the admissions committee if they turned me down- Reed is hard work, and I kind of avoided that in high school :)</p>

<p>Thanks for everyone's input!</p>

8

<p>Wait, are you the prospie column kid? I always wondered if that part was actually written by a prospie...</p>

9

<p>AHAHA, yeah! (: </p>

<p>Sorry if it wasn't any good.</p>

<p>I'm definitely a prospie.</p>

10

<p>Wow, sounds like things are going well, OP! I have my fingers crossed for you!</p>

11

<p>Thanks for all your help, you guys. My hopes really weren't that high, especially after I got rejected from some lower-level UC's. So, when I got my email today...</p>

<p>I GOT IN! (:</p>

12

<p>Congrats!</p>

<p>The UCs really favor GPA > everything else, it seems. Or at least the lower ones do. Glad to see Reed cares more about numbers. Have fun writing your senior thesis, if you end up going to Reed. :P</p>

13

<p>Go you! I hope the FA and stuff makes it happen for you. I'm so glad you got a happy ending!</p>