So I had a kinda bad freshman year, a better sophomore year, and a strong junior year. My freshman and sophomore year suffered bc i was at a “prestige” private school where I didnt really fit in and felt ostracized, and I since switched schools (junior year) to a very competitive public school. My classes junior year consisted of almost all APs. There is a steady increase in my gpa through all the years.
My weighted GPA is about a 3.43, and my SAT is 1460, essay 18 (retaking in October). Realistically, what schools do I have a solid chance of getting into, and what schools if any should i try ED/EA? Most likely looking at studying business.
This is my perspective list so far: BU, Emory, LSU, NYU, UC Berkely, UCLA, UT Austin, Northeastern, Tulane, UNC, Notre Dame, USC.
I think this is a very reachy list based on your GPA. My D had a friend with a disconnect between high SAT score and GPA, overshot, and ended up at a safety he wasn’t happy with. IMO, keep a couple of these schools on your list as a reaches but develop match and safeties based on the weakest part of your application, not the strongest.
Are you instate for UT and UCs? Other than the list being much too reachy, is money not an issue? UT is pointless.
If your weighted GPA is 3.4, what is your unweighted? That test score is not a high score for your list even if your GPA was 4.0.
I assume LSU must be your home state U? Is that app completed and submitted?
idk how to add stuff onto here but: based in Louisiana, UC GPA is about 3.75-3.8 depending on how honors transfers, money is an issue but is also not an issue–> i can get by in college with my parents help but it will be a struggle for four years for them, still doable
also, Notre Dame and Tulane would likely be through Posse Foundation if i do apply
Please ask them straight up if they are willing and able to pay $65K for four years. The best way to get an idea of how expensive each school will be is to run the Net Price Calculator on each school’s web site. NYU will be exorbitant.
UT-A and UNC-CH are probably out of reach irl if you are OOS, and a reach even if you are in-state for one of them.
To me that list looks both reachy and under researched- more as if they are schools that you have heard of and have a good enough ‘name’ to fit in your idea of what a ‘good’ school is, but not so tippy-top that you think they are out of reach for you.
You can look up their Common Data Set and see where you are stat-wise, but first do a little more homework. For example, you felt out of place at your ‘prestige private school’- are you sure that you want ND? at the (very real) risk of incurring the wrath of ND fans on CC, there are more than a few students who have gone from their ‘prestige private school’ to ND precisely b/c they feel comfortable there. Never mind that it is the opposite in almost every conceivable way to, say NYU or UCLA. Do more homework on what schools actually fit you: how you learn, the environments in which you thrive and (not for nothing) what fits your budget. You know how hard it is to be in a school that is a bad fit- do the homework to avoid that happening again.
For specific colleges, what does your schools Naviance say? Also, I note the W = 3.43- what is the UW? b/c that is what a lot of places will look at.
They are willing to pay, but if it comes down to two schools theyll want the cheaper option even if its the “worse” school. LSU is more or less a safety.
UCs : you only have a shot at UCSC, UCR, UCM.
Tulane is a reach only because you’re a LA resident.
Almost no shot at the others on your list (apply to a handful just in case but have zero expectation).
Aim for colleges where the average GPA is 3.5 and most students are not top 10%.
If you’re aiming for this type of universities, LSU sounds like a bad safety. You need a few more universities you like and where a 3.2 is average, then a couple where a 3.5 is average.
Run the NPC for LSU and a few others.
Suggestions: Cal Poly Pomona, Sonoma State, LaVerne University, California Lutheran, St Mary’s California, Pacific Lutheran, UNM, Ole Miss.
With the GPA you currently have, these schools aren’t going to happen. If your home state is LA, then you would be out of state for Texas. UT reserves 90% of applicants for in-state residents.
I would say, go for LSU. Your SAT is more than enough to get you in. Just in case, apply to a couple more schools in LA just to be safe.
Tulane looks more leniently upon LA applicants, so instead of being out of reach, it’s a regular reach. Double that if you apply through Posse.
Even with Posse, why Notre Dame? It sounds like you didn’t like your prep school’s environment and ND is quite preppy. In addition, although your SAT score is excellent (top 2%!)… your SAT score is quite average for them (1410 is their bottom 25%, and ACT 33 is their ACT bottom 25%).
UCs won’t add the extra points for honors courses from OOS.
You need 2 affordable safeties so that you have a good choice in the Spring. LSU is a good match/safety - your GPA is low to make it a safety but your SAT and curriculum rigor + the fact they likely know your schools will be in your favor. So, it’s the school to beat. In addition, I recommend Ole Miss - you’d qualify not just for admission but also for some form of Honors and a scholarship because they focus more on test scores than on scholarship (you have to apply of course).
If you like Louisiana Tech or another LA university better than Ole Miss, apply there - make sure you have two safeties and do apply to the Honors College.
ASU is another possibility.