<p>I'm a junior going into senior year and need more colleges to apply to. I'm freaking out by my bad gpa, but still want to get into a good college.</p>
<p>I'll probably major in biology and hopefully go to med school in the future</p>
<p>GPA: 2.8 unweighted, 3.4 weighted </p>
<p>SAT: 2240/2400<br>
1560/1600 math + reading</p>
<p>recommendations: very good</p>
<p>EC: average/slightly above average</p>
<p>I'm open to any suggestions (match, safeties or stretches) if you need any more info, just ask</p>
<p>Just curious, any out of the ordinary reason for the disparity between your exceptional SAT scores and your GPA? Also, how has your GPA trended since you were a freshman?</p>
<p>That kind of SAT coupled with that kind of GPA is a often an indicator of poor organizational skills. If you are going to get the grades that you need for med school admission, you have to learn to manage your time wisely. Talk with your guidance counselor or the school psychologist when you get back to school so that you can get help improving your time management. It will really make a big difference.</p>
<p>Have you ever thought about the idea of a public honors program? I figure you could hang out there for a year or two and then if you’ve done well, transfer to a school more befitting of your high SAT score.</p>
<p>One strategy would be to enroll in your community college for a year, get good grades (all As and Bs) and then transfer. You need to demonstrate to reputable colleges that you are capable of doing the work. Right now, your test scores scream under-achiever: If I were in admissions, I’d assume that you have the ability but not the maturity, work habits or motivation. You’ll need a year to show that this just isn’t true. Luckily, the US educational system is wonderful at providing second chances (not true in most of the rest of the world.)</p>
<p>I second the recommendation for CC. It’s cheap so you’ll have money left for med school and you should be able to transfer just about anywhere with good grades.</p>
<p>But, for recommendations, I have heard good things about Evergreen in Wash.</p>
<p>If you are willing to consider schools in the Midwest you may want to check out Univ of Minnesota-Morris. It’s a small school but a good one. UMM looks at more than grades when evaluating applicants. Also, out of state students pay the same rates as in-state(COA under $19000). They do have a pre-med track–below is a link.</p>
<p>I want to qualify my recommendation of CC: If your 2.8 GPA is the result of a really terrible freshman year, with a steadily rising trend, or is due to a family tragedy (the illness or death of someone close to you), schools may be willing to overlook your academic record and take a chance on you.</p>
<p>However, if neither of these situations applies, I stand by my original recommendation. (As a parent, I would insist on this for my own kid because I’d be unwilling to spend thousands of dollars on someone who hasn’t shown much commitment, thus far, to education.)</p>
<p>Have you thought about the UMass Amherst Honors program, or possibly UConn (you might make the honors with your test scores)? It’s a slim chance, but I’d also look at BU as a reach, and maybe Michigan State.</p>