What is a better situation: being at 75%+ on test scores but below the GPA average of enrolled students, or being at the mid-points on both?
Is there a rule of thumb for top/better LACs vs better state schools?
Some colleges place higher weight on GPA, others on test scores. Really you want to be doing your best on both. That said, my daughter had friends who did super well on standardized tests but had pretty marginal GPAs and they seemed to struggle getting into schools more than high GPA/lower test score students. Just our experience though.
As far as LAC vs public, it’s a matter of preference, academic interest, goals, finances…fit!
Even though these areas are very heavily weighted for applications, I believe test scores might have more weight to them than GPA.
“GPA” is not nearly as important as transcript, in my experience. Being able to show that you took difficult classes and showed steady growth is major. I rarely see it discussed on here but I personally know multiple college admissions counselors/directors but it’s one of their biggest points on an application.
Of course each school does things a bit differently but virtually every admission officer I’ve heard says the most important part of the application is the transcript which includes both GPA and course rigor.
A low GPA with a high standardized test score may be indicative of a student not working to his/her full potential.
You posed an either or question. And is more important. You are expected to earn the best grades you can in challenging classes. You also need to earn good test scores. Doing well in both is a better means of securing than hoping admissions will overlook oneor the other.