<p>It might be a good idea for you to apply to an in-state public first. Establish a good GPA there, and then transfer to GA Tech when you're ready. </p>
<p>You should still apply, since you never know what will happen, but you must have some backup options.</p>
<p>
[quote]
^^^ That doesnt make up for a 2.5 GPA though. Affirmative action helps, but it doesnt work miracles.
[/quote]
yeah it does</p>
<p>No, it definitely doesn't.</p>
<p>Leaving the racial issues aside, I think it would be in this student's best interest to go to a CCol or local state u. There, she can prepare for the academic rigors ahead of her. Take their toughest courses and knock out all As in REAL coursework - math, physics, chemistry, their toughest composition classes with the toughest graders. If she wants to get into GA T and have any chance of actually graduating and then find a meaningful job or grad school, she should actually do the prep work she's missed in high school.
That said, if she actually does get into GA T, I would suggest her first stop be the tutoring center. She's gonna need a lot of help to have any chance among her peers.
Good luck! Don't rely on your race or your gender; do it on your smarts!</p>
<p>Just reminding everybody that Georgia Tech -- one of the top engineering schools in the country -- is a public university and may very well be one of her local public universities. A school's being public doesn't mean that it's easy to enter or is for low performing students. Some of the best universities in this country are public. </p>
<p>The schools that the OP would be best suited for now based on her high school achievements are: public and private universities that are second tier (which probably would be reach schools for her even if she gets strong grades senior year) or below. She also could consider community colleges. If she does well in college, she could try to transfer to a more competitive college.</p>
<p>I was going to say that I don't think GT focuses as much on GPA as they say they do but I could have sworn that their Common Data Set from when I was applying last year was MUCH different, GPA wise. I want to say that at least 40% of incoming freshman had a GPA below 3.5, not the less than 25% that it is now (I would be counted in that section of incoming freshman whose GPA is less than 3.5).</p>
<p>Also, GT doesn't have different admission standards for different colleges. They said this at the admissions seminars I went to.</p>
<p>Here's what the US News on-line edition says are how Ga. Tech rates admissions factors:</p>
<p>academic factors
What is the relative importance of specific academic factors in admission decisions?
Rigor of secondary school record:Important</p>
<p>Class rank: Not considered
Academic GPA: Very important
Standardized test scores: Important
Application essay: Important
Recommendation: Not considered </p>
<p>nonacademic factors</p>
<p>Interview:Not considered
Extracurricular activities: Important
Talent/ability: Important
Character/personal qualities: Not considered
First generation: Not considered
Alumni/ae relation: Not considered
Geographical residence: Considered
State residency:Considered
Religious affiliation/commitment: Not considered
Racial/ethnic status: Not considered
Volunteer work: Important
Work experience: Important
Level of applicant's interest: Not considered </p>
<p>66%
Top 25 percent of high school class: 96%
Top 50 percent of high school class: 99% </p>
<p>First-year students submitting high school class standing:63%
Average high school GPA:3.7 </p>
<p>First-year students submitting GPA:100% </p>
<p>First-year students submitting SAT scores: 97%
SAT scores (25/75 percentile):
Verbal:600 – 700
Math: 650 – 740
Combined: 1250 – 1440</p>