Chances with low GPA but good test scores?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Central Florida
1

I’m worried because my parents really sabotaged me freshman and sophomore year and do not want me to be successful with my education. I found out i had a 3.0 unweighted beginning of junior year and wanted to cry. I decided i can’t let my family control me like this anymore so I became very serious with school and I was able to do a lot better:

UW: 3.2
W: 3.5

Took my first AP Junior year (I’m going into senior year). All classes I’ve taken have been honors if possible and I just finished AP Lang with a B. My senior schedule looks like this:

AP Calc (still deciding between AB and BC, will probably do BC)
AP Chem
AP US Gov (1 sem)
AP Macro (1 sem)
AP Lit
AP Music Theory
Jazz Band
Dividend (teacher assistant)

I’m also considering AP Comp Sci A online with FLVS because my school doesn’t offer it. I’m not trying to grow the biggest dick here, I genuinely want to take all these classes because they interest me, especially Chem Lit Theory and Comp Sci; although I may not do Comp Sci because the load may be overwhelming and I’ve heard AP CS isn’t very similar to actually CS anyway.

I have no EC other than the (at least) 100 hours of community service at an animal shelter I am doing for the Bright Futures FAS scholarship. I am certified in Adobe InDesign. I don’t know my class rank because it was listed as 0 when I transferred, and honestly I don’t really care that much because my school has like 500-700 people per class.

My test scores are O.K.:

SAT: 1300 (first time, retaking once or twice because I get a fee waiver)
SAT Essay: 6-4-6 (retaking but I don’t think I need it)
ACT: 30 (June, first time)

My Lang teacher said I have a good shot at English honors society so there’s that if it’s possible. I’m trying really hard and am worried that I wont have a shot because of my GPA. UCF is the one school I’m shooting for because I can’t go to my dream college anymore - no chance at all. Am I overreacting?

2

Sorry you have had a tough time.

Ucf does have an option to write an admissions essay. I would suggest finding a way to write about whatever trials and difficulties you experienced and how you decided to preserve to better yourself and your situation. Try to stick with the facts how they affected you and what you learned about your dedication and strength. I would advise to not place blame if at all possible. This would be about you and your determination to achieve your goals.



Great that you are retaking tests!!!



Keep up the good work!!!



By the way, can you share your “dream school” and what your intended major is?


3

Retake that SAT/ACT.

Can you retake some classes where you got D/F for grade repair?

Apply through FSU CARE as well as USF FIRST. NCF if you plan on gras school and are self directed.

Take AP calc AB. It will make your schedule more manageable.

Since you qualify for fee waivers I assume your EFC is zero. Have you thought of leaving Florida if you got into a 100% need college up north (or further up the coast)?

4

@ufmomfriend My dream school is MIT and I’m interested mostly in computer science with chemistry as a backup.

5

Ok yes MIT is out if reach but there are TONS of schools between ucf and MIT!

Olin, RIT, RPI, etc plus all kinds of good LACs for CS such as St Olaf or Allegheny.

Are you a boy or a girl?

Right now devote every possible moment to preparing for the SAT. The higher your score the better your odds of getting into a college that’ll meet need and will provide you with excellent opportunities.

6

Maybe don’t take so many AP’s - I know they interest you, but jumping from 1 AP to 6-7 AP’s in a year is not a good way to go and probably isn’t going to do your GPA any favors. Cut back to maybe 3, 4 MAX.