High GPA and Low Test Scores

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I have a 4.0 unweighted, 4.06 weighted GPA. Or at least I think it is. I have all A's and have taken only one honors class (which I have a 5 in) every year. Due to my test anxiety and disabilities that ACT will meet, but Collegeboard refuses to, I'm estimating average scores on my ACT and low SAT Subject tests in English, Math 1, and Math 2. I've taken all the necessary math courses and have gotten A's in them. I'm going for an Applied Math major, so I'm worried if I do badly on the math subject tests. I only have one shot at each test for the UC's, but two for the Ivy's, but if I were to do just as poorly on the second try, what are my chances of getting into:</p>

<p>The Ivy's
The California UC's, especially UCSB and it's CCS program, which is very hard to get into
Stanford</p>

<p>Please, no test advice. I only want to know my chances of getting into those schools with a high GPA and average to low test scores.</p>

2

<p>Do you have any ECs that would help you stand out despite low scores- that would def help you out.</p>

3

<p>I don’t really know what defines an extracurricular. Do learning musical instruments count? I’ve been playing two instruments for all four high school years and one for one year. And does Freemasonry count even though I’ve only been involved for a month?</p>

4

<p>Also, I’ve been teaching math to a child (for free) from grade 2-9.</p>

5

<p>Another question. Since my needs are being met by ACT and it’s a pretty easy test, my scores might be above-average to good. With a good GPA and above-average to good ACT scores, how bad will the subject tests hurt me? Or even if I get amazing ACT scores, will the subject tests count that much?</p>

6

<p>Subject tests are mostly used for placement, but some colleges will weigh them – especially if they correlate to your major of choice.</p>

<p>UCs require 2 subject tests. I know that UCSD places significant importance on SAT II.</p>

7

<p>With test anxiety and the limited time I’ve been given, I will get a lot lower of a score on the subject tests. I’ve taken algebra 1 and 2, college algebra, geometry, and am in pre-calc right now, but knowing my difficulties in that rushed time span, I won’t be able to function and show that I know the math I plan on making a career out of. Will high ACT math scores, a flawless GPA, three musical instruments (and one band), and Freemasonry carry me to an Ivy, the good UC’s (UCLA, UCSD, USCB, UCB, and UCD), Stanford, and most importantly CCS? And although I don’t think I’ll even apply, what about Caltech or MIT?</p>

8

<p>Within what range do you expect your scores to be for the SAT I and IIs?
And are you a California resident?</p>

9

<p>For the ACT I think I’ll get above average to good scores and for the subjects average to low scores, most likely low. I’m born and raised in CA.</p>

10

<p>im being brutally honest here i’d say save the app money for the ivy’s
i’d say you’re shot at UCSB is good as long as your scores aren’t completely crap
(the strength of your schedule is definitely not there if you only took one honors class and have a 4.0)
plus for a math major, i suggest hoping your math scores are really good otherwise it’s going to be harder</p>

11

<p>A hypothetical question for others in this situation. How high does your GPA need to be to make up for less than stellar test scores? If you’re taking a ton of honors courses and have a 4.8 or even 5, is that enough, or do the top schools prioritize test scores?</p>

12

<p>Bump. Anyone?</p>

13

<p>Here’s what I was thinking. If I happened to have a 5.0 weighted 4.0 unweighted GPA, 25-30 ACT, and average to abysmal subject scores, what are my chances of getting into the Ivy’s?</p>

14

<p>In that situation, your chances would be rather slim. After all, GPA is only one factor, though it may, in some cases, make up for bad test scores. However, it most likely cannot make up for 25-30 ACT and average SAT IIs.
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/816994-chances-will-return.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/816994-chances-will-return.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

15

<p>standardized tests attempt to objectively gauge your potential in college. different schools have different grading systems and thus have different levels of difficulty. a 3.5 at one school may be a 4.0 at another. in this way, standardized tests help colleges set apart students’ level of preparedness</p>

16

<p>I’d agree with EnAll that your chances would be a bit slim. The Ivies concentrate a lot on strong scores and lots of passionate ECs, as so many of their applicants already have the high SAT + GPA. If you do moderately well on the ACT (27-31), then I’d say you have a great shot at UC San Diego, Davis, etc.</p>

17

<p>@OP
GPA’s vary from school to school so standardized tests help colleges gauge your ability in a fair comparison to others. With low scores on both the ACT + Sat II’s and a course load that doesn’t seem rigorous at all (1 honors class a year and no AP’s all four years?) I’d say your chance at the Ivy’s is pretty minuscule.</p>

18

<p>So a a 5.0 and 25-30 ACT won’t get you into an Ivy, purely because you don’t have great subject scores? How important are these subject tests, anyways if low ones can tank your chances of getting into an Ivy even if everything else on your application is good? And by the way, test scores show nothing about your ability to succeed in college. Grades, which take four years, not three weeks, are indicative of your college performance.</p>

19

<p>Your not getting in anywhere special, its not impressive to have a’s in everything unless they are honnors or APs.</p>

20

<p>Electricninja, where did you get that idea?</p>

<p>UCSD plugs SAT II’s into a point formula. [SAT1/ACT+SAT II(a)+SAT II(b)] * .8</p>

<p>doesn’t seem like special importance to me</p>