<p>At the beginning of my junior year, my uw gpa was around a 3.85 and my w gpa was around a 4.62. But during my junior year of high school, I had some family troubles which caused my gpa to drop to a 3.77 uw and 4.51 w. I'm scared that this low gpa will put me at a disadvantage for top schools like MIT, Stanford, etc.</p>
<p>My counselor is going to explain my situation in his recommendation, but will it actually make a difference? Do I still have a shot? My SAT score is a 2320 and am in the top 16% of my class.</p>
<p>You can’t control it now. Just keep moving forward. Having your guidance counselor mention it is the best advice. My recommendation is for you not to make any mention of it, or any excuses in your application – let the counselor do that. Instead, work hard on having an essay that identifies you. And make sure that your list of possible colleges includes at least 3-4 targets and 1-2 likelies/safeties. Because the chances of MIT and Stanford are 1 out of 20 even for the most qualified of students.</p>
<p>I heard that these colleges have some sort of an initial check to check the GPA and test scores, to see if the applicant is qualified. I worry that I won’t even be able to get past the initial check. </p>
<p>There is nothing you can do about that now. Fretting about it will just give you an ulcer. Realize that schools like the ones you posted are essentially lottery schools and not making it in does not reflect poorly on you.</p>
<p>Figure out what you do have control of…right now it is yoru grades senior year, your essay, making sure your counslor knows enough about you so they can write a good LOR</p>
<p>It is what it is. Concentrate on your essay and your current coursework to keep your GPA up. These schools have acceptance rates in the single digits. Chances are you will be rejected by these schools but your dip in grades will not be the deciding factor. </p>
<p>I don’t get it. Why do you have to explain an 0.08 point GPA drop?</p>
<p>What are you scared of? That the difference in GPA will make your otherwise stellar application trashcan fodder?</p>
<p>You are being paranoid. Your GC should explain nothing, rather your GC should note “even with family troubles, this student was able to do extremely well in his/her classes”.</p>
<p><<
My SAT score is a 2320 and am in the top 16% of my class.</p>
<br>
<br>
<p>What was your rank before the “drop” in GPA?</p>
<p>Since your GPA didn’t drop much, it doesn’t sound like your rank was high before. If your rank wasn’t in the top 5% before the drop, then your chances at Stanford haven’t changed much… Unless you have some hook, super-selective schools like S are filled with Vals and Sals of their HS classes. </p>
<p>What other schools are you applying? And what schools are your financial safeties? </p>