Hello everybody. I’ve recently started the college application process, as I am a rising senior. I’ve written my common app essay and my QuestBridge responses (I was a prep scholar). I now have the task of starting all of my supplements when they are soon released. Here are a quick overview of my stats:
3.5 UW Gpa
34 ACT
800 Math 2, 760 Physics
I’m from Vermont btw, white male, <30,000 fam income, 0 eFc
In terms of extra curriculars, I am the president of Model UN and engineering club. I also work A LOT during the year and have a pretty good hook with my family situation…
My question is, is it really worth putting in all of this work with a low GPA? I take mostly honors and AP classes, but when I look on Naviance and talk to all of my older friends, no one from my school with my GPA has gotten into the schools I’m applying to through Questbridge match and RD such as Stanford, MIT, Duke, Yale, Columbia, etc.
Is it worth the time and effort to apply when I have my family to worry about (I give them money 4 rent)
What are my actual chances of getting matched or admitted RD, in your personal opinion
I really appreciate any opinions, whether I’d want to hear it or not
Hi Bent,
I took a look at our Naviance (as you did yours) and no one with your GPA has been accepted at the schools you listed in the past five years. Sorry.
I do not know much about Questbridge (if it is a boost for students in terms of GPAs or test scores. But you have something none of our HS kids have - you live on a farm and I know many colleges are trying to bring in more rural students.
Plus, you live in Vermont. How many seniors come out of Vermont every year? Twelve? (Just kidding, I know at least 100 kids must come out of Vermont each year). ?
But seriously, for many colleges you have a geographic advantage. Probably not Dartmouth or Harvard, but probably anywhere west of PA. The great majority of kids go to college within a few hour’s drive of home. And Vermont simply has a small population. Applicants from Vermont are relatively rare anywhere except for MA, NH and NY. There aren’t many of you.
And…you are helping to support your family. Very impressive. Your GC needs to know that and include it in your letter.
My gut is that you will be recognized for being a hard worker and an unusually responsible kid. And smart. You rocked your ACT. Your teacher letters will be important. I would hope they stress how you could handle high level academics, but underachieved a bit in HS because you work so much, that will be the concern of adcoms - can he handle the academic rigor?
I don’t think anyone can really give you a numeric chance here, by all will urge you to rank some schools you would be happy with which are numeric matches for you.
Questbridge aside, I think you still will be able to find a fantastic college to attend which can meet all or most of your financial needs. I am a bit concerned since you EFC is $0. Not many schools meet 100% of financial need. You will need to do a lot of research.
Hi! Thank you for the response! I actually live in Montpelier, not on a farm, and Questbridge doesn’t give you a boost but it is an organization that helps low income students pay for college. For a little context, I have a 4.5/5.0 weighted gpa, and I’ve slowly increased from a 3.4/4.0 freshman year to a 3.8/4.0 sophomore year. Another school that gives 100% aid that is still a reach but not as competitive is northeastern . Thank you!!!
As mentioned, your UW GPA is below average and will not put you in good standing through Questbridge. However, if you have an explanation for the GPA, that might be something you should include that could propel you to the top universities. Best of luck!