From 1.9 to a 3.2 gpa

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

I’m an immigrant, and I got really bad grades before I moved here to the US during my junior year. For my freshmen and sophomore year, I got a 1.9 gpa in both years - mostly C’s, with a mix of B’s and D’s, zero A’s. I didn’t realize how deep in the hole I was until I moved here. I’m living in a college town, and everyone in my school had really high standards which pushed me to work harder for college. In my junior year, I got a 3.2 gpa, making my cumulative gpa a 2.4. My ACT score is 25, and I’m currently waiting for my SAT and my second ACT score. I realize that the highest cumulative gpa I can achieve by my senior year would only be a 2.6. So, I was wondering, what do colleges think of this? A gpa spike, even when the cumulative gpa is low? Will they take my immigration into consideration? I’m currently looking into University of Minnesota, San Diego State University, City University of New York, and Temple University. What other schools should I think about?

Thanks.

2

San Diego State will be a Reach. The Cal States use the eligibility index to rank applicants for each major and then accept from the top down until all slots are filled.
First you need to calculate your CSU GPA which uses only 10-11th grades for the a-g course requirements. Senior grades are not included in the GPA calculation.

Did you repeat the classes with D’s, since you need C grades or better for the a-g course requirements to be eligible to apply to any Cal States?

http://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/

http://www.csumentor.edu/planning/high_school/subjects.asp

Then calculate your Eligibility index: (CSU GPA x200) + (ACT composite x10). You want an EI of 1000+ to be competitive for SDSU.

Are you a California resident? If so, there are some non-impacted campuses that may accept you. Cal states are all about numbers GPA and SAT/ACT scores (Math + Critical Reading). There is no where on your application to explain extenuating circumstances.

If you are not a resident, then you need a minimum EI of 862 to apply.

An upward trend in GPA is good but may be too late.