@gibby am I dead in the water for Ivy’s if I ended junior year with a 3.71? Even with SCEA/ED?
@claxcowboys – even with your 34 ACT composite, you have a very steep road.
@claxcowboys: See: http://features.thecrimson.com/2014/freshman-survey/admissions/
In a recent Harvard Crimson survey of incoming freshman, 54% had a 4.0 GPA in high school, with the average GPA being 3.9. I like the scattergram that cross-references GPA with test scores. As you can see, there are some students admitted with 3.7 GPA’s and lower. However . . . .
. . . in past years, I would have said those students with your GPA and below are probably recruited athletes, but then I read this note on the Harvard Golf Recruiting page: http://gocrimson.com/sports/mgolf/faq#Balance
So, maybe it’s the recruited football, basketball and hockey players that have similar GPA’s to yours. As @T26E4, said, regardless of your test scores, you have a steep road ahead. While anything is possible, I would think it’s not very probable.
My recommendation is that you apply to a broad range of non-binding colleges in the early round, and apply to HYPSM in the RD round. Best of luck to you!
Although generally, your GPA at 3.71 is not competitive for Harvard and like schools, if you apply RD, and have a 4.0 senior year first semester, you will improve your chances. As well, there are other factors to consider with GPA. Is a 3.71 a good but not a great GPA at your school? If so, your chances are very low indeed. Or does your school grade notoriously hard, and a 3.71 is among the best GPAs? Then your chances are enhanced. My sons attended a school where most years, no one had an unweighted 4.0. My younger son was admitted to Harvard with a 3.8.