How do you counter a low GPA?

Applying to College
1

<p>I'm a junior taking the hardest courseload possible (IB diploma + AP). I really screwed up big time on my grades. I go to a large public school and my grades are about 3.7 and it depending how I do the rest of the year (and 1st semester senior year), my GPA can range from 3.6-3.8 unweighted (school does not weight, which sucks). I will have a hard time breaking top 10%. I promise myself to work much harder this year.</p>

<p>All the rest of my stats are solid. I already secured 2 teachers will write "best in life" recs. Test scores are solid got 2200 (should I retake?), yet to do subject tests, but should do good, a lot of ECs, leadership positions, state and national awards, blah, blah, blah.</p>

<p>Point being, my main weakness is my low GPA. I plan on applying HYPMS, but now I'm not sure. If you look at the GPA averages for those schools, most people who get accepted have 3.90 or higher.</p>

<p>If there anything I can do to counter my weakness? How do I show colleges that I am still academically strong?</p>

<p>P.S. Do you know anyone who is in a similar situation as me, but got accepted to HYPMS schools?</p>

2

<p>Dude you're fine.</p>

<p>A word of warning: you're probably going to get flamed for this topic. You're gpa is not low by any standards.</p>

3

<p>I agree that I'm worrying too much, but having a C in English and a B in Science is kinda low for the schools I'm aiming at.</p>

4

<p>oops...i meant "your"</p>

<p>ummm...even with a C and a B (assuming you have A's in the rest of your classes), I still think you will be competitive. As for the people with high gpas and test scores, it's not the 3.9+ gpas that get people into HYPMS, but it's the more subjective stuff, like essays and recs.</p>

5

<p>Bumpy bumpy!</p>

6

<p>Start writing your essays this summer, talk to your teachers about recommendations (be courteous, at least 6 weeks before the deadline), get some awards, work hard on your ECs, take some fantastic SATs, join a Native American tribe, etc.</p>