<p>I have a 3.56 UW GPA (still top 9% of my class somehow) and was wondering whether or not it completely kills my chances at top schools like Cornell, Northwestern, JHU, Berkeley, ect. as a computer science major. I scored a 2260 on my SAT in one sitting (730 Reading, 730 Math, 800 Writing). On my subject tests I've scored a 790 on MathII, a 720 on Physics, and a 700 on U.S. History. My extracirriculars are solid but nothing too special (software internship, exhibition design at cultural center, tutoring, community service, basketball). I've taken 13 AP classes and 6 Honors throughout high school, and have scored a 4 or better on all the AP tests I've taken so far. I'm confident about every part of my applications EXCEPT for my GPA, which horrifies me.Will colleges seriously consider my rigorous course load and factor that in when they look at my GPA? How much do my SAT scores and EC's help me? Also, I have no hooks, as I am a middle-class Asian male from California.</p>
<p>Considering you have outstanding test scores, meaningful EC’s, and 4’s or better on ALL of your AP Tests, I’m sure colleges will look past your already above average GPA.</p>
<p>^^^^^ not even close to true. A low GPA and high test scores tells colleges that you’re smart but you slacked off in school, which is something they don’t really want. Plus there will be plenty of people with much higher test scores and perfect gpa AND really good ECs. Sorry, but your chances aren’t that big to get into these schools. You have a chance, but it’ll be tough to get in.</p>
<p>You’re in the top 10% of your class, so you should be fine. Your GPA will be looked at in the context of your high school, other classmates and your course rigor. This will be communicated in your GC’s recommendation and school profile.</p>
<p>If you list an AP Scholar award on your application, you may want to note that only X members of you’re class achieved that award by Junior year, are better yet, if you were the first and/or only to achieve that level - mention it. </p>
<p>If you’re truly an academic risk taker and learner, ask your teacher’s to speak to that in your recommendation letters.</p>
<p>bumppppppppp</p>
<p>I hate to say it but I basically agree with satman. At a lot of schools your stats could definitely carry you through, even with a lower gpa. But unless you’re able to show (in essays maybe) why that gpa either isn’t a fair reflection if your abilities or that it represents extreme course rigor, colleges will tend to make the conclusion that you’re smart but lazy. </p>
<p>Also, from the view of a top college, without a meaningful hook you’re just another very smart applicant that is slightly less academically qualified than some.
Nevertheless, best of luck getting into a school you love.</p>
<p>with that gpa nothing is going to fully make up for it. No doubt very high test scores and good ec’s will help ameliorate it a bit but gpa is one of the most important factors colleges look at for admsisions as it is usually a decent indicator of whether or not someone will perform in college. Also be glad you’re still in the top 10%, if I had a 3.5 gpa I wouldn’t even want to know what my rank would be.</p>
<p>Colleges will think that you are a slacker, but if you showed an upward trend and got better grades your last two years, then it will show colleges you don’t slack anymore, but for those colleges, it would be hard, but it could be possible.</p>
<p>Chance me back?
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1605227-chance-me-cus-ill-chance-back.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1605227-chance-me-cus-ill-chance-back.html</a></p>
<p>Oh yeah, good point coloradonigel. My grades have definitely shown upward trends. In freshman year (really my GPA killer) I got 4 B’s and 2 A’s both semesters with 1 AP class and 2 Honors. First semester of senior year I got straight A’s with 5 AP classes.</p>