<p>So, I've realized recently that my GPA likely will not get me into the top 20 level schools that I was initially looking at. I should have roughly a 3.5 UW at the end of my junior year. I have taken all honors and AP level classes.</p>
<p>My SAT, on the other hand, is good. I received a 2310 in a single sitting. My SAT 2s are all about 750, give or take a bit. My ACT was a 35.</p>
<p>My EC's are undeniably on point, and the list is too long to even bother posting here. I have made nationals for a few things and also have a league tennis ranking and whatnot, as well as being on council/president of several clubs etc.</p>
<p>With all this in mind, what schools should I be looking at? I'm looking to go into either psychology or something business or politics related. In other words, what (preferably top 50) schools are less GPA heavy and more SAT heavy?
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<p>money isn’t a problem, if, for example, i was accepted at columbia full pay, it will be covered. but i’m not like wealthy to the point where i can donate. </p>
<p>Coed schools only. Region wise i’m not that picky, though i’d prefer california or New England/NYC/northeast and the “preppy” areas of the south ie. virginia</p>
<p>Did a private message to OP stating that my son2 with similar stats (gpa was slightly higher, sat slightly lower) was accepted to USC and washu, among other top 25-30 schools. </p>
<p>I made a similar post >5 years ago, when my son was applying. One of the best pieces of advice I got was to look for schools that offer National Merit scholarships, since they are certainly chasing high test scores.</p>
<p>My son applied ED to Wash U, and was admitted with a 35 ACT and 3.5 UW. However, his HS is a harsher grader than most, and he was in the Top 10% ranking (which was based on weighted GPA). He graduated from Wash U ~6 months ago, and now is in law school. Do you know your class rank? A 3.5 UW GPA can mean very different things at different HSs.</p>
<p>For someone with your stats, I would seriously consider applying ED to a reasonable reach school, if you have a favorite. ED won’t help you get admitted if your stats are out of the normal range, but may give you a little bit of slack on the GPA side, given your high test scores. </p>
<p>If you parents can truly afford to pay your full costs (and they know that those costs are $60k/yr and rising), another strategy might be to look at schools that are not need blind, and will give you an admissions boost for being full pay. </p>
<p>I have a question for sacchi- did you guys need financial aid? Just curious, because ED is usually for those that are sure they can afford it it are sure they could get out of it if financial package was not feasible. When did you find out about the financial aid package for your son? This school might be on my D’s list next year.</p>
<p>You would have to calculate your UC gpa to look at UCs if you are interested, it is a different kettle of fish, but would likely be higher given your APs and honors. The stats for each UC are in each UC forum (colleges by alphabet) and I am betting those are UC gpas (my sons just went through the process). UCSB is 40 and Davis is 39 (ranking) and I think both would be in potentia range for you, depending on how many APs you took (out of state honors don’t count for a bump, not even all in state honors count for a bump, they have to be UC certified honors courses.). UCLA and UC Berkeley would likely be out of reach but full pay might be in your favor since the UCs need money… Note that you would have to get in the application virtually immediately if the deadline is the same as last year, November 30.</p>
<p>^^ For full pay OOS, UCB and UCLA are possible. We are originally from NJ and several old friend’s kid got into UCB with similar stats from competitive NJ HS like Ridgewood or Tenafly. Try it anyway.</p>