Classic Low GPA Dilemma

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>This is not going to be a traditional chance thread but rather some important questions. What do students with low GPAs who get into competitive (top 30) schools do in high school that makes them unique? What makes them different from the thousands of other applicants who have low GPAs, or even the rejected applicants with high GPAs? </p>

<p>I think I'm one of the more "regular anomalies" (if that makes any sense) in the sense that I'm academically motivated and curious but have a low GPA. I've been trying to do everything I can to make up for it - but I've just noticed that people are obsessed with taking the easiest path out academically, taking easy classes and getting As without learning the material. I don't think high school would have been fun if it wasn't hard, and I am sure it will be the same way with college. I want to attend a college that can "unsettle my mind, widen my horizons, and inflame my intellect" as the late Robert Hutchins put it</p>

<p>So, what does CC think? How do I atone for this GPA?</p>

<p>For reference so my question can be answered a bit more specifically:</p>

<p>GPA: 3.53 UW
SAT: 2320 (800 M, 760 R, 760 W)
APs: AP World, (5) AP USH, AP Lang, AP Calc AB, AP Physics B
Senior year schedule: AP Psych, AP Lit, AP Calc BC, AP Physics C, AP Econ, AP Biology
Class Rank: Horrendous, something like 35%
SAT II: Chemistry (780), US History (800), Physics (750), Math III (800)</p>

<p>I know numbers can barely be used to gauge personality or grant you an insight into what type of applicant I am - but I appreciate whatever I get</p>

<p>Schools I want to apply to:
USC
NYU
Michigan
Emory
Georgia Tech
William & Mary</p>

<p>Schools I might apply to for a good laugh:
Duke
Dartmouth
Northwestern
Chicago
Yale</p>

2

<p>You’ll go far.</p>

3

<p>If you can seriously quote Robert M. Hutchins, you can seriously apply to the school he headed. Don’t apply to Chicago for a “good laugh.” Apply like you mean it! As a Chicago graduate, you certainly sound like Chicago material to me. I am not “chancing” you, by any means. But I AM encouraging you!</p>

4

<p>Same feelings. You seem charismatic enough to write a damn good essay.</p>

5

<p>There was an Indian kid (user name :srrikanth) who got a GPA of 3.0 and SAT 1 2370 who got into Cornell not too long ago. You look equally good.</p>

6

<p>Don’t get down on yourself. You should be fine, that isn’t even that low. </p>

<p>Chance me?
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1324466-my-gpa-too-low-these-schools.html?highlight=is+my+gpa+too+low[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1324466-my-gpa-too-low-these-schools.html?highlight=is+my+gpa+too+low&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

7

<p>I was in the same boat as you when I was applying for colleges: Super low GPA/rank, high test scores. </p>

<p>Luckily for you, it’s actually much better to have a low GPA/high SAT combination than a high GPA/low SAT combination, so you’re at an advantage compared to say, a 4.0 GPA/1900 SAT applicant. Your essays will be extremely important, because the only way you can make colleges think twice about rejecting you right away due to your GPA is to stand out and be unique. The only way to really stand out from the crowd is with your essays. </p>

<p>Now about your chances…</p>

<p>USC-Match
NYU-In
Michigan-In if instate, maybe if OOS
Emory-Low reach
Georgia Tech-In
William & Mary-In</p>

<p>Rest are reaches</p>

8

<p>Amazing ECs that show passion, moving recommendations and a personal essay will make the difference. I totally understand where you are coming from. Don’t be discouraged. A true desire to learn and challenge yourself will be most important in the long run.</p>

<p>USC<br>
NYU
Michigan
Emory
Georgia Tech
William & Mary</p>

<p>All are probable. </p>

<p>Duke
Dartmouth
Northwestern
Chicago
Yale </p>

<p>All reaches. But I think you have the best chance at UChicago (talking to admissions officers I really get the sense that they’re looking for unique and determined individuals) and Dartmouth.</p>

9

<p>Update: I recently (read: today) got a 2380 on the SAT. While this is good, It’s extremely frustrating that I get Bs in school with an SAT score that ostensibly demonstrates my academic competence. I am a Georgia resident from a high school that is consistently among the top in the state. How should I explain this disparity between my grades and my testing scores?</p>