How much do gpa and SAT matter vs extracurriculars

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

My GPA and SAT are very low, but I believe my extra curriculars are quite extra ordinary.
Unweighted GPA: 3.71
SAT: 1530 superscore
SAT II: 800 math 2
So firstly, is it true that colleges look at your GPA and SAT in the first round, and if your scores are good enough then they look at extra curriculars and don’t even look at your sat and gpa again? If this is true, are my scores good enough to get me past the first round? I’m looking to apply to Harvard, Rice, Stanford, Yale, Duke, UC Berkeley and Princeton.
If this is not true, how much do GPA and SAT matter relative to extra curriculars
Please let me know if I have a shot at these universities.

2

You need to tell us what your ECs are so we can judge if they are extraordinary.

Your GPA is on the low end, but it won’t break your application right when an admission officer sees it. Your standardized tests scores are great.

3

I think you know that a 1530 SAT score is not “very low”.

4

You have a shot at these schools. Submit the best applications you can, and also apply to some match and safety schools.

5

For UCB:

  • Berkeley

  • Very important: Academic GPA, Application essay, Rigor of secondary school record, Standardized test scores
  • Important: Extracurricular activities, Volunteer work, Work experience
  • Considered: Character/personal qualities, First generation college student, State residency
  • Note: Thorough review of academic performance; likely contribution to intellectual and cultural vitality of the campus; diversity in personal background and experience; demonstrated qualities in leadership, motivation, concern for others and community; non-academic achievement in the performing arts, athletics or employment; demonstrated interest in major.
  • LOR's by invitation only as of 2017
6

You can find the answer for each school in its Common Data Set.

7

So if someone has a 3.7 gpa and 1530 sat, and another person has a 4.0 gpa and 1600 sat, are they essentially the samething? my main question is, is it true that if your gpa and sat are high enough, you pass through the first round and your scores arent considred again?

8

A lot of it depends on the school. A highly selective one would consider a 3.7 in honors/AP classes as better than a 4.0 in standard classes. Your transcript will be more than just a number.

Test scores – a 1530 vs a 1600 is not a deal breaker at all.