I heard that a strong SAT can’t make up for a relatively low GPA (in the context of top universities) and that it makes me look like a slacker; however, how would AOs perceive me, knowing that although I have a lower-end GPA and high SAT, I have a strong EC involvement and large course rigor.
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SAT: 1550
W GPA: 4.7
UW GPA: 3.5
IB: 4 HL, 2 SL
AP: 19 Classes
Class Types:
Pre-HS: 4 Honors
Freshman Year: 3 APs, 4 Honors, 1 AICE, 1 Regular (But the third level of that class)
Sophomore Year: 6 APs (2 Half Years), 3 Honors, 1 Regular (Half Semester)
Junior Year: 4 APs, 7 IBs (TOK half year), 2 Dual Enrollments, 1 Honors (Half Year)
Senior Year: 6 IBs (TOK half year), 5 APs, 6 Dual Enrollments, 5 Honors, 2 Regular (Only took 1st semester of 1 of them)
If you were wondering, I added some more classes through online school. I included pre-senior year summer classes under the senior year category.
Also, I have strong ECs that focus around political science. I won’t go into strong detail, but I will say that they are concentrated rather than ECs that are well-rounded.
If you want numbers, Harvard’s AO has said they rate the academic profile as 2/3 GPA and 1/3 Test scores. So yes it is a problem, however you might be able to make up a weaker academic score with a strong EC score.
If a high school ranks, that can put the gpa in context. If a 3.5 puts someone in the top 10 out of 300 students, that is different than a 3.5 putting them in the middle 50%. Also, grades in 11th grade and fall of 12th can say a lot more about a student than 9th grade, so the “upward trend” can round out the context. But in general, grades matter because that shows admissions what a student does day in and day out rather than on a particular Saturday for 4 hours.
Not in general, but it is very low in the context of HYPSM and other super selective colleges. Such colleges are typically unrealistic reaches for 3.5 GPA applicants.
What universities are you aiming for?
I’d pick private universities with strengths in your concentrated EC - G’town*, GWU, American, Tufts, Macalester, Dickinson, UDenver.
Private universities spend more time on transcripts and essays, and focus on EC’s. Many public universities mostly use GPA/test scores which I’ll be detrimental. (Obviously do apply to UF, FSU, + their honors college, andF).
Run the net price calculator to see which ones would be
Plan to take subject tests asap. Choose your three strongest subjects. Plan for a retake date - due to your grades, a 700+ score will be needed in all three.
I would cut all your senior year APs and whatever else you planned on taking this fall. You're taking 6IB classes, that's already maximum rigor. Anything above that adds very little. The maximum number of classes you should be taking is 8 per semester. After that the colleges may wonder if you have some sort of problem. What you're listing for senior year would be considered insane. You may love learning but taking dozens of classes isn't the answer to offset a few Bs; in addition, make sure you get As in 8 classes rather than taking what, 13?15? Classes.
Keep your EC’s going. They will make the most difference at this point.
8 classes with mostly As, strong EC, and the rest of your record should result in good admission decisions.
If by “top universities” you mean schools with admission rates in the single digits, I don’t think high SAT scores or EC’s can make up for a (relatively) low GPA unless your EC’s include a hook. That said, OP should have plenty of good options with those stats. Also, not too put too fine a point on it, but I think there is such a thing as going overboard when it comes to difficulty of schedule. I didn’t even know it was possible to take 19 AP classes.