I’m from a pretty underrepresented state (Arkansas), and I have a pretty good resume (32 ACT, 3 jobs, 1 internship, several ECs, good essays, good teacher recs, etc.) but a not so great GPA and class rank. My parents and guidance counselors have been saying that this won’t matter, just because I’m from Arkansas, but I seriously doubt it. I can only apply to 7 schools, so I don’t want to waste my time with ivies and other similarly elite schools since I really doubt I’ll get in, but everyone is insisting it could happen since AR is underrepresented. Does it really matter so much that it would change anyone’s mind about the rest of my stats?
How low is low? And what level of classes have you been taking (AP, Honors, CP)?
If you only have 7 slots, I would make sure to fill them first with 1-2 safeties and 3-4 matches. If you want to take a flyer on one or two with the spots you have left, go ahead, but I would expect to be rejected and be thrilled if you end up getting in.
Good luck.
Being from an underrepresented state does not make up for a so-so GPA.
Being from an underrepresented state used to matter more. Now admissions officers at nationally-recognized elite schools are looking at geography more in terms of urban/suburban/rural, racial/ethnic demographics, and socioeconomic composition because they don’t have a problem creating a diverse national class. In fact the bar has been raised to creating INTERnational classes.
However, you probably would be more competitive at top regional schools outside the Southeast than your profile suggests at comparable local schools. If you look in the East, Pacific Northwest, or other region make sure you will be happy being in a “strange land” further away from home! Good luck!
It might give your application a bit of a boost but it won’t get you into a college you are not academically qualified for
If you have a 3.2 they may choose you over the overrepresented state student with 3.2 but won’t choose you over the 3.9.
My GPA, as of the last official transcript, was 3.7 weighted. My school doesn’t have unweighted GPAs, but my estimates put it at 3.4-3.6 range, I think. And my class rank is 47/123. I took all offered honors freshman and sophomore year, then 3 IBs last year and 2 this year. Hopefully they’ll take into consideration that I took honors physics last year, even though I was a junior in a class only offered to seniors.
Now that I’m writing this all out I feel like I should start a different college search thread…
Ivies? Arkansas isn’t what we usually mean by underrepresented state. And your rank equates to top 40%. If the weighted is 3.7, you have a lot of non-A grades.
The competition is fierce, many kids having perfect 4.0s and more. Many stem-wannabe kids are taking physics rigor early, even AP. And getting A’s. And doing both school clubs in their academic interest areas and doing outside things.
One crazy reach is one thing. But please select the rest of your targets wisely. Eyes wide open.
If you have a limited number of applications you can file, I’d definitely eliminate any colleges where you are below the 25% mark for GPA and ACT.