Emory

If I had a 3.6 unweighted GPA and a SAT score of 1500 (new scale), and have extracurriculars of year round competitive swim + high school swim, in youth orchestra and volunteered at salvation army/hospitals, would I have a shot at going to Emory University? It is my dream school and I do realize my gpa is pretty low. Would applying as early decision be helpful at all? Would I have a slight shot?

@happy333 I guess you have a shot as do lots of people. You should apply if you want to go and think you can do well/solidly at Emory regardless of what you think your chances are. Now I will say that it will be quite hard for you (or really anyone, even those with a much better GPA and somewhat better SAT) if you apply RD. But even so, if you really wanna go, just apply. Also, GPA needs context. Do you have strong AP/IB scores? Was your courseload rigorous? Things like that. Seeing a 3.6 doesn’t tell me all that much (what about a rank?).

@happy333 ED is always helpful. It speaks to motivation to attend Emory, which you would also need to articulate in essays or perhaps an alumni interview or other means. I don’t chance applicants or advise. I do believe that @bernie12 gives excellent advice. I can tell you that Emory looks at course rigor. In other words, if your school offers AP classes and you take a representative share of those courses, it is looked on favorably. They also like to see good scores on AP exams if you have them. If you can put them here, others can advise, but the Emory admissions committee goes beyond just grades or just scores. They want to know what you do when others aren’t looking. They want to know why you want to go to Emory and how you would contribute to the Emory community.

@happy333
Well, from my vantage point the only Strength in your application is your SAT score. Your EC’s and GPA are not great. So the essay and applying ED will be your saving grace.
SAT2 scores can salvage a poor GPA as well.

I hope that you are not suggesting that a 3.6 is poor when you don’t know the context, including course rigor, AP exam scores, etc. Emory’s application process is holistic and one number, especially one not off the spectrum, would kill chances. As far as ECs go, they don’t look weak at all. Sports, Music, and Volunteering are nothing to gloss over.

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Yes rigourous classes. AP World and AP environmental for sophmore, rest is all honors that year including honors orchestra. Junior year I had AP calc and AP us history and all honors classes. Mostly 4 and 5’s on AP exams except for one. Transferred to a new school and rank is 76/250

What are some good EC’s??

@happy333

Are you interested in swimming for Emory? If so, you should contact Emory’s swim coaches.

Regarding extracurriculars, it’s what you do with them more so than what they are. What have you accomplished? Have you been a leader? Have you taken the initiative/been entrepreneurial?

Here’s a little more from Emory admissions’ blog:
https://blog.emoryadmission.com/2018/08/holistic-application-review-3/

Applying ED1 greatly enhances chances of admission.

@happy333 APs look a little weak ( In sophomore year: 1 is not usable for credit at Emory and both are not considered particularly rigorous. The ones you did junior year are fine): Does your HS not offer that many?

Yes my high school only offers a limited amount.

@happy333 : That is cool. If your HS offers other college caliber courses that are not AP/IB, then take them, and you could have perhaps considered dual enrollment if a college was in the area. They just want to see you pursue a challenge if possible. If you quickly exhaust HS offerings, they want you to do more in some capacity.