Gettysburg?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hey everyone, I have a question.</p>

<p>So, Gettysburg is my dream school. The only problem is, I wasn't really that focused in my first two years of high school, so my overall GPA is like a 2.8 - 3.0. Somewhere around that ball park, I am guessing. Perhaps a little bit higher. It really hurt me when I didn't do well in Honors Biology.</p>

<p>My question to you is, is it even worth it? Should I even apply to the college? I have really good ECs, so that's not a problem. I am sure that I could write a great essay, too. I think that my GPA is automatically going to rule me out of any chance that I had.</p>

<p>I want to be a History major, by the way.</p>

<p>Now, if I continue to keep up my current GPA (I have a 3.6 this year so far) throughout senior and junior year, take AP English next year and do well, and I do VERY well on the SAT, do you think that I would have any sort of chance at all at getting into Gettysburg? Can you suggest any way to make me seem more appealing? I'll do Early Decision, set up an interview, email the admissions people, write letters, I will do whatever it takes to save myself and stand a chance.</p>

<p>If not, what do you think of these schools? I'm a Maryland resident.</p>

<p>Towson University
Shenandoah University
Oklahoma City University</p>

<p>Could you suggest some other colleges that might be easy to get into? I really want a college that has an area surrounding it that is full of American History, which is why Gettysburg is so appealing.</p>

<p>Thanks! I'm really stressing and freaking out about all of this. It's not the end of the world if I can't get in, but I would really really love it.</p>

2

<p>Since Gettysburg is pretty familiar with american history, staple a nice $100 bill with Mr. Ben Franklin on it. I think they'll get the message.</p>

3

<p>Javert,
Gettysburg IS competitive and just eliminated the SAT requirement so GPA really matters. Having said that, if you are indeed doing much better as a junior and can continue to do well, then you can present a case that you are a reasonable candidate for admission. If you do well on SATS, then definitely submit those scores. Also, ECs matter at G'burg. I think you've posted elsewhere that you are interested in theatre. Gettysburg is focusing on the arts and its new conservatory and so you might present yourself as someone offering strengths in these areas as well as in history. I would try to show interest in every way - visit campus, attend events, and interview. Good luck!</p>

4

<p>An admission counselor with whom I spoke at a different school said that overall, admissions counselors definitely prefer to see an upward trend rather than a downward trend. Just keep it up...</p>

5

<p>Thanks everyone. I am starting to feel a little better!</p>

6

<p>Gettysburg has not eliminated the SAT, just made it optional. If you have good scores you should submit them. Your guidance counselor can always write in their letter how you were less focused and have been steadily improving. If you get good grades in hard classes for the next two years you should definitely apply. Unless you're brilliant at music, the conservatory probably will not accept you so don't count on that as a hook. They accept very few studentsto the program since it's very competative and they want to maintain individual attention. Good luck with everything! I'm a recent alum and loved my 4 years there. It's an amazing school.</p>

7

<p>The school eliminated the SATs as a requirement but burg07 is right that admissions folks would love to see candidates with strong SAT scores. It seems that those students are the ones offered merit scholarships, so the SATs are definitely important. The optional SAT piece simply allows strong candidates who have proven their abilities and contributions to communities in other ways (grades and ECs) to be considered as well. It's kind of win/win.</p>

8

<p>hI Burg07!!!
I am an international student indending to apply to gettysburg this fall('11)!!
Can u tell me if SAT 2 counts or not?</p>