<p>I don’t think there’s an easy answer for a self-described “poor GPA who took no honors/APs but other aspects of the student are better.” An 80 is roughly 3.2. We don’t know what made that 3.2- good grades in solids? Or the gpa is pulled up by better performance in the electives? We don’t know the CR and M. Or what those activities are. And, we don’t know if this is all at a low-competition hs.</p>
<p>Any college that says the hs performance and academic challenges are important, is going to be tricky. This needs saying: most kids overestimate the uniqueness and impact of their ECs. And, the strength of their LoRs. Many state schools are already suffering attention to their low 6 yeard grad rates. They want kids with a good chance of succeeding (among other things, sure.) </p>
<p>When you look at freshman profile stats, there are many reasons some admits fall under the 50% mark. Athletes, legacies, etc. Mich State is a fallback for kids who don’t get into UM, and has a national rep, so the overall competition can/could be higher. </p>
<p>Mich State
Freshman admission is based on:
•your academic performance in high school
•the strength and quality of your curriculum
•recent trends in your academic performance
•your class rank
•your ACT or SAT results
•your leadership, talents, conduct, and diversity of experience</p>
<p>Fall 2010 Freshman Profile
[mid-50%]
•High school GPA: 3.4-3.8 [so midpoint 3.6?]
•Composite ACT: 23-28
•Composite SAT (Critical Reading and Math): 1030-1250</p>
<p>So, that’s where you start- ranking yourself against what they publish, then reading between the lines in the rest of their marketing, to see the sort of kids they like. </p>
<p>Why not UConn or URI? Both have good enough reps.</p>
<p>UConn: “Competitive applicants generally have a B+ cumulative grade point average (3.3 on a 4.0 scale), are ranked in the top 25% of their high school class, and have performed favorably on standardized tests.”</p>
<p>URI: average seems to be about 3.38 and 1670.</p>
<p>And, when we ask about the GC, it’s because he or she knows you, your performance, how you rate among peers, and potential better than we do.</p>