<p>So, I had 3.25 gpas freshman and junior year and because of personal reasons had a 2.89 or something gpa sophomore year. I know that im capable of doing much better than this though as I tend to do very little hw as of now.</p>
<p>I'm working on this but it's application time so I'm applying to:</p>
<p>Northeastern
Brandeis
Franklin and Marshall
Muhlenberg
American
Boston University
Colgate
U Pittsburgh
USC
George Washington
possibly other reaches</p>
<p>My goal is to study undergrad at a top school but first I have to improve my work ethic and get accepted through either transferring, taking a year off, or receiving an impossibly slim admit. </p>
<p>All advice is appreciated and I'll chance back if you want!</p>
<p>Your scores may push you into some of these but I would not count of much aid at those that don’t meet need, so if you need aid you’ll want more financial safeties.</p>
<p>Thanks for the comments. Luckily, I’m not in need of aid. I think my extracurriculars are pretty good. I have a national award, am the founder/president of multiple clubs, community service, and all that good stuff. </p>
<p>I’m also applying to uMiami which should be on the safer side. </p>
<p>Also, I’ve taken 15 honors courses and 3 APs with 2 fives last year so that should help. </p>
<p>I think your list is top heavy. I don’t think you need to add reaches. You should check out Indiana University. It has a great business school and may even give you merit money for your high ACT score. Look to add a couple more schools in the safe range. You want to assure yourself of some options come April.</p>
<p>Muhlenberg is an SAT optional college. While they do consider it in their evaluation process, it isn’t THE stat that would get you in. If you show a strong desire to go there, it will help your cause. Otherwise it is a bit of a reach wit hyour GPA.</p>
<p>If you really want to get into an academically competitive school, I would gear up right now and get some semesters with straight As (or close to it) for your senior year, then take a gap year, (so you can apply with your senior year included in your GPA), and then make strong case for how much you have changed/matured/focused in your last year of school, and how you used your gap year to really find your passions outside of school. Otherwise, your GPA is going to keep you out of a lot of academically demanding schools. Of course, you could also go the community college route for a year and transfer, but if prestige matters to you (and it seems to), then I’d go the former route.</p>
<p>I am less pessimistic. I think it’s a good balanced list. I think you’ll get in somewhere on that list. People can be to conservative, IMHO. Your reaches are reaches - don’t expect to get in but you might, your matches are maybe yes, maybe no, and I think there are schools on that list like Muhlenberg and American, and maybe Pittsburgh for a business major that I think you’ll get in. Once your in one, you’ll have a safety. </p>
<p>You know that you have a procrastination problem. Start actually filling out the applications this long weekend. Start with Pittsburgh which is rolling admission. Get your app out this weekend. You should hear back pretty quickly too. It would sure be nice to have something in the bag, don’t you think. Start working harder in school.</p>
<p>^ M’s Mom advice is the only thing that rings true to me… </p>
<p>Your “I know that im capable of doing much better than this though as I tend to do very little hw as of now” attitude is hurting you now and will kill you at any school that might accept you. Take a year off and find out what hard work real life requires… You’ll be back begging to do homework and certainly have your prestige is everything bubble burst… </p>
<p>It’s good to have a dream and you are obviously bright enough to have almost any dream come true if your willing to work hard enough. But unless you decide to work hard starting now… Your just daydreaming</p>
<p>You should check out Indiana University. It has a great business school and may even give you merit money for your high ACT score.*</p>
<p>hmmm…probably not…GPA is going to be a problem for scholarships at many schools that offer them.</p>
<p>The **IU Distinction Scholarship **is awarded to the best and brightest out-of-state students who meet each of the following criteria:</p>
<pre><code>* Out-of-state student (domestic and international)
Minimum SAT score of 1340 or minimum ACT score of 30
Minimum GPA of 3.80 on a 4.0 scale
</code></pre>
<p>Kelley Scholars Program
Students must be admitted to IU by November 1, offered direct admission to the Kelley School of Business, and have a minimum ACT score of 32 or SAT score of 1350 (Critical Reading and Math), along with a 3.8 GPA. Recipients must display excellence in academics, leadership, and extracurricular involvement.</p>
<p>You CC kids. I wish I was half as driven as you are when I was in high school.</p>
<p>Only 7% of first-year students at Brandeis and Pittsburgh had a GPA below 3.25. I think your chances are slim there. At USC it’s only 6% and I’d imagine your SAT scores are average there, so I’m not sure it’s worth it. Same at Colgate, only this time I know for sure your SAT scores are only average</p>
<p>At Muhlenberg, 37% of students have lower than a 3.25, so that could be a good match for you especially given your SAT scores are in their upper ranges. At American, it’s 16%, so that’s a little reachy, but your SAT scores are above average, so that could help.</p>
<p>Far as I can tell, you are top-heavy at the moment given your GPA. Your SAT scores can only do so much. Where are you in-state? You might consider applying to some of your state’s public universities. Also look at Auburn. If you could push your GPA up to a 3.25, you could qualify for a Charter Scholarship which is $5,000 a year.</p>
<p>What is your weighted GPA?
My school doesn’t do weighted GPAs but I’m ranked 136 out of 542 because ive taked 15 honors classes and 3 APs</p>
<p>What is your EFC?
100%</p>
<p>Does this include electives?
yes</p>
<p>what was your GPA last year?
3.25</p>
<p>ECs?
Great.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice. I’ll consider a gap year if I don’t get into the schools I want. I’m working on my senior grades currently. I disagree that my list is too “top heavy”. According to Naviance, I should be in at Muhlenburgh, F and M, Miami, Penn State, American, GW, Northeastern, and BU. Yeah I know, I must have a highly ranked HS.</p>
<p>An EFC is not a percent. An EFC is the expected family contribution, the least amount you can expect to pay at a university. Try again. Do a FAFSA forecaster to find out.</p>
<p>Here is a sampling of applicants reporting Spring admission to USC this year. Those who are telling you that students with 3.14 GPAs are typically admitted to Spring are not familiar with USC admissions. Good luck.</p>