Help; Impact of lower GPA on chances?

Colleges & Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>I was wondering how much a low GPA will negatively impact my college application...
I know that the secondary school record is held of very high importance in the application process but will this weigh me down so much that I will not even be considered for most top schools?</p>

<p>GPA: 3.7 UW
ACT: 35
SAT: Retaking; around 2200+</p>

<p>Very involved in school, leadership positions in 2 clubs, huge activities resume.
Musician; winner of large local/state/regional/international competitions, huge music resume.</p>

<p>GPA was affected because I took mainly as many AP courses as possible and tested out to take APs sophomore year and such that usually are offered junior year. 7 APs total by the end of junior year... but I probably shouldn't have done it since the workload was insane and I got a few too many B's. </p>

<p>Will my low GPA affect my chances a lot - should I even think about applying to Columbia?</p>

2

<p>are we the same person?</p>

3

<p>What do you mean? xD</p>

4

<p>wae, they take rigor into account. Like, they’d understand if your GPA suffered a little as a result of your hard workload.</p>

5

<p>Yes they look at rigor but your transcript is the single most important document in admissions (it’s tempered by SAT I & II scores). This one girl at my school took 10 AP courses and she’s a valedictorian… plus she was on the physics olympiad 2 years in a role and 4 years in a role on the Math Olympiad. With all that extra stuff she still got all A’s so bear in mind there’s lots of ppl taking tons of AP’s but still getting A’s, along with doing tons of extracurriculars.</p>

6

<p>^ So true, but a transcript with red flags is something that one cannot remedy.</p>

<p>And wae, I think tubatina meant to say that you two have very similar stats.</p>

7

<p>I would hardly call a 3.7 a “red flag.” I signifies 1-2 courses in which you get Bs. that is perfectly acceptable. It certainly signifies that you have the capability of succeeding in very advanced college-level work.</p>

<p>A 3.7 is nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, in a mostly AP courseload, it’s something of which you should feel rather accomplished.</p>

8

<p>^ However it’s a 3.7 UW, so it’s not even just 1-2 courses with B’s; it’s like 10 B’s all throughout your first 3 years at high school out of 42 courses.</p>

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<p>Nevertheless, I think your high ACT score would vindicate your slightly low GPA, to a degree.</p>

10

<p>^ and also, I really don’t see a need to retake your SAT if you have a very high ACT.</p>