How much could these ECs compensate for GPA?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I'm a High School Junior with a GPA right around 3.0 (weighted and unweighted) depending on what scale you use (as a number, my average is 80.)</p>

<p>I took the SAT in January and scored a 1620 with almost no study or review at all (which means, with more review next time I hope to score somewhere from 1700 to 1850.)</p>

<p>I've never taken an honors or AP class in High School, which brings me to my question:</p>

<p>How much could ECs in my field compensate for my poor grades? I'm thinking about either majoring in sports journalism or business, here's my ECs tell me what you think:</p>

<p>4-year member of Stock Market Club (will be President or VP next year, was Junior board member this year)</p>

<p>3-year member of DECA (a business club)</p>

<p>High School MBA (Mastery in Business)</p>

<p>and then here's my Wild Card that I'm really curious about:</p>

<p>I'm a Featured Columnist for a sports writing website called BleacherReport.com (the 4th most read sports website on the internet with over 20 million monthly readers. Keep in mind anybody who passes an application process can write for this website, but not everybody is a Featured Columnist. And from what I've seen it's pretty rare to see a High School kid writing for the site, let alone as a Featured Columnist) </p>

<p>Through Bleacher Report I've had articles linked to or featured on websites such as SportsIllustrated.com, LAtimes.com, SeattlePI.com, cracked.com, brobile.com, SF Gate, Houston Chronicle, and a few more of note.</p>

<p>I've had three individual articles top 75k reads, and 13 different articles top 25k reads. In total I've accumulated 1.25 million reads on 176 articles. (And between now and the time I start applying to college's, I could probably make all these numbers go up)</p>

<p>Do you think these are the types of ECs that could possibly compensate for my GPA? I'm not looking to get into Harvard or anything, a place like Penn State or Maryland would be my dream (basically, good schools in the North East, preferably with established sports programs).</p>

<p>Also, how big do you think Bleacher Report will be for colleges? Do you think it will really help my chances, or is it no more valuable than say writing for a school paper? Is it the type of thing that could get me a surprise scholarship?</p>

<p>And are my Business ECs anything special?</p>

<p>If you think schools like Penn State and Maryland are unrealistic for me, what other North East schools would you recommend?</p>

<p>Thanks in advance.</p>

2

<p>Your GPA (and SAT for the matter) is waay too low. As excellent as they are, ECs will not compensate much. As far as I’m concerned, Penn is a school that cares a lot about your rank.
That being said, I assume you’ll write a fantastic essay, so work your ass off to get the SAT up too 2000, at the least and than apply.</p>

<p>Do you play any sports?</p>

3

<p>You need to up the GPA or SAT for PSU-Main. You may have a slightly better chance at Maryland, but not much. Perhaps Pitt? IU? If you have your heart set on PSU, consider a branch campus for 2 years and you will be able to finish at Main. Also try to get those SATs up.</p>

4

<p>I’ll try my best to up my SATs as much as possible, but even if Maryland or Penn State are out of my league, do you think I’d have a chance at a nice scholarship from a decent NorthEast school?</p>

<p>Any schools come to mind for you guys?</p>

<p>Also, would I have any better shot at UCONN?</p>

5

<p>Yes, I think you would have an excellent shot at UConn. I don’t know a lot about scholarships. Also, if you are interested in sports journalism, Ithaca and UMass are strong there, and you would have a solid shot at both.</p>

6

<p>Really? I’m shocked I thought UCONN was even better than PSU and Maryland, that’s great to hear.</p>

7

<p>Can anybody else weigh in on this?</p>

8

<p>bump .</p>

9

<p>UConn, in general, is measurably less selective than PSU. Can’t speak to any particular programs at UConn, just in general.</p>

10

<p>State schools are not good bets when you’re looking for an EC to save you. These schools have formulas and decide mainly on stats.</p>

11

<p>Extra Curriculars won’t compensate for low GPA or SAT scores. Work extremely hard to bump those up and your chances will be higher! Chance me back? <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1296270-chance-me-uc-berkeley-please.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1296270-chance-me-uc-berkeley-please.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

12

<p>Ithaca and Quinnipiac FTW…</p>