<p>I'm applying to JMU with a 3.5 or so, probably 3.2 or 3.3 unweighted, but all but 2 of my classes this year are IB or AP, same goes for last year. 2080 on the SAT.
Will my course load make up for the so-so GPA?
And how much do they care about senior year? I got 3 As 2 Bs and a C first quarter(ap english) which should be a B or A 2nd quarter (ill apply at the end of the semester and send that transcript)</p>
<p>i think your SAT scores are good enough to make up for the gpa. I have a low SAT but a 3.72 so i think mine will make up for it. you should apply now, your school should send your transcript from this semester either way.</p>
<p>Thanks, anybody else?</p>
<p>I have absolutely horrible ACTs scores (21), but my GPA is 3.85, and I have a rigorous course load, great essay, and a good recommendation. </p>
<p>Senior year is very important though. Try and pull up your AP english next quarter. </p>
<p>I applied EA to JMU, so ill keep you posted if I got in.</p>
<p>Take all of this with a boxcar of salt, as I'm not privy to what goes on in any admissions office and have only S's experience last year and some info from his friends. If your high school or county system keeps statistics of application and acceptances from past year, that is probably a better guide. I would increase the GPA and SAT scores a tad to account for more competition this year (or re-read the articles from last spring and apply a year of grade/SAT/ACT score increase). Especially if you are applying from Northern VA, definitely look at your school's history with JMU as the most relevant gauge of your chances. </p>
<p>I have heard JMU recalculates your core academic GPA (math, science, soc studies/history/civics, english, maybe foreign language; so the A's in electives may not count for as much), also dropping - and + grades (B- = B = B+); I don't know if/how they factor in AP/IB course load or known differences in grading systems (e.g. 90=A or 92=A or 93.5=A). A 2080 is definitely a very good SAT score by 2008 standards, probably not good enough with a 3.5 or lower GPA for the honors program, however bases on S and his friends' experience (not a bigee, you can apply for the honors program during freshman year). JMU seems pretty generous with AP credit (no info on IB), S and several friends will have sophomore academic status this January. </p>
<p>Get your paperwork in on time, then don't stress out, remember to enjoy your senior year. Once it's gone, it's gone. Good luck.</p>
<p>JMU is very GPA driven. Because of the size of the school, if you have something to offer, it is of less importance. However the average GPA has gone up considerably in the last few years. It's a "safety school" no more.</p>
<p>Everyone who attends JMU loves it. I have a sibling there. It's a very school sipirited environment. Everyone is happy. The girls are beautiful, by the way.</p>
<p>I'm in a similar situation. Northern Virginia (Fairfax County especially) screws everybody over with their 94-100 A and only a .5 weight for AP's with no weight for honors courses. My GPA 9-11 is a 3.65 with weight, so probably a 3.4 without it. My first quarter of 12th grade I got a 4.07 though, so I'm definitely trying to pull it up this year. I got a 1950 on the SAT and I'm involved with a lot of EC things at school. My counselor told me I was the "ideal" JMU candidate, but now I'm not so sure. I applied EA to improve my chances, and I'm also applying to the music school, so the audition gets factored in (should I be deferred from EA to RD). I'm just nervously awaiting mid-January. I love JMU and it's my first in-state choice. Including senior year, I have 6 AP classes and I've taken all honors except for Trigonometry and Anatomy (which doesn't have an honors counterpart). I just hope they look past the less than desirable GPA.</p>
<p>kwoc - it is my sense that your audition at JMU can mean a lot with regard to admission. The music school has some pull.</p>
<p>That's comforting to hear, hopefully (should I not get in) they could pull some strings if I have a good audition.</p>