<p>I know that at basically all schools, GPA is the most important admissions factor. However, are there any good, high level schools in which character/personal qualities and/or extracurriculars are as or nearly as important as GPA. I have heard that this is the case at Brown and a few other great schools, but I'm not really sure and don't exactly know how to research this type of thing. Thanks in advance for any tips!</p>
<p>Stanford and Princeton don't look at 9th grade GPA. Just telling you this because I asked a question similar to this one, because of the huge weight on my GPA of my 9th grade.</p>
<p>Well I'm at the end of sophomore year. My freshman year was pretty bad...my sophomore year was much better but still not fantastic (well bad compared to the rest of the people on CC...but I know this isn't the best place for comparing). I will work incredibly hard to bring it up next year and senior year (upward trend is good I know). I have really good ECs, i will have good essays, I have good test scores, etc. I always do really well in interviews (looots of experience, and I actually love them), etc. So I'm just wondering because I have high hopes for college and I would like to know if I'm just setting myself up for dissappointment.</p>
<p>bump...sorry but im reallllly stressing about this right now...</p>
<p>Check Loren Pope's book and site "Colleges that Change Lives."</p>
<p>Also, having a strong upward trend in grades is a big plus. It is far better than starting out strong and then petering out. Colleges want students who demonstrate the maturity and motivation to thrive on their campuses, which require far more independence and personal responsibility than does high school.</p>
<p>check out haverford. the interview is a big part of the admissions decision, and from what i understand, personal characteristics are really important. good luck!</p>