When I say low GPA I mean around a 3.8 at this point. My ACT is a 35. I’m extremely active in extra curriculars and I’m very well rounded. I take IB courses but my grades were less than desirable this year. How detrimental would this be if I were applying to Ivy League and second tier schools?
Details: I also got a 780 on my math level 2 subject test and a 800 on US history. Majoring in business but headed towards law school and first choice is Penn.
what’s your class rank?? GPA is all relative
Top 5% out of a class of 450 @deeznuts
Your GPA isn’t too bad. You’re qualified, just write killer essays!
Hi, I was in a similar situation with a 3.9/34 at a competitive high school. A 3.8 (weighted I assume?) is probably not going to get you into Ivy schools, but a perfect gpa and act also wouldn’t get you into HYPSM alone. If you have strong extracurriculars, recommendations, essays, etc, it doesn’t to apply to 1 or 2 Ivy league schools that you actually feel are good fits to you (and not just chasing prestige). Your scores show you as very smart and there are many other top and mid range schools that would love to have you, so don’t fixate too much on Harvard. Apply to a good range of schools that you could genuinely see yourself at and I’m sure you will be very successful.
3.8 GPA? That is certainly not low… That’s an ideal GPA to get accepted to. Also, an ACT of 35 is exceptional. Your stats seems reasonable. It now all comes down to great EC’s and a good essay. In addition, are you doing the full IB Diploma, or are you just taking some courses, because if you are in the full IB diploma your stats are impressive. You’ll do fine. If you don’t get into the Top University’s in the world, apply for other university’s. I advise you to go to University of Washington. Rank top 50 in the world, ranking in #47 I think. Good luck. 
PS. what’s your intended major?