<p>I understand that having a high GPA and low ACT score is better than a Low GPA score and a high ACT. But my situation is a 3.0-3.1 GPA with a 34 ACT. Will a killer essay, excellent recommendations, and great ECs get me anywhere good?</p>
<p>You can check out my posts to get a better idea of my stats and background info.</p>
<p>Probably. 34 is quite the score for your GPA. You might not be able to get in your first pick college because of your GPA, but that ACT score will take you pretty far if you have some other good aspects (essay, extra curriculars).</p>
<p>Thanks a lot, 198 views and one reply :)</p>
<p>A higher SAT or ACT score is better…way better than a high GPA</p>
<p>If you have a high GPA and a low test score, colleges are going to assume that your school gives out “easy A"s” for low performance.</p>
<p>Is your GPA weighted? Can you bring it up at all? Is that your GPA for all classes? or just for core classes??</p>
<p>BTW…why is your GPA low? Do you neglect your homework, so your grades suffer? </p>
<p>Your ACT puts you in the high 99 percentile. Schools will wonder why your GPA is only a B average, unless your school is well known for very, very tough grading.</p>
<p>And…how will you get “killer recs” from teachers if you are kind of “underachieving” in their classrooms? </p>
<p>I’m hoping that your stated GPA is unweighted…and that it is actually higher once weighted and once you include ALL of your classes, including PE and electives.</p>
<p>Why do you say that you have a 34 ACT here and on another thread you say you have an ACT 31?</p>
<p>We just got ACT scores back yesterday, so its possible it went up?</p>
<p>Well, big congrats if your score went from an ACT 31 to 34…it’s very hard to improve once you’re that high (31 is 98 percentile and 34 is high 99 percentile)</p>
<p>On one thread today he said 30 and another he said 31. Perhaps he is hoping to take it again and is shooting for a 34.</p>
<p>OP: On one of the threads you said you went to school in Korea for a few years. I would hope that the admissions people would understand about switching languages and trying to get with a different country’s curriculum program. Good luck.</p>
<p>yes i took the ACT 5 times and got 28,30,30,31, and a 34. I accidentally typed a 35 somewwhere in my thread but yeah my highest is a 34.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Not true for the tippy top schools. High test scores will never make up for a low GPA for elite colleges. If you’re unhooked and your GPA is below the bottom 25% mark, you’re essentially out of the running unless you have an incredible accomplishment elsewhere.</p>
<p>A high ACT and low GPA may raise questions. Some schools may think you are smart but perhaps lazy. A lot of schools have combined requirements of ACT and GPA for both admissions and scholarships. I know at my daughters school a 34 with a GPA of 3.75 or higher would make you eligible for one of their top scholarships. Having the 3.1 would make you ineligible.</p>
<p>My Quote >>>>A higher SAT or ACT score is better…way better than a high GPA </p>
<p>PaperChasePop quote: >>> Not true for the tippy top schools. High test scores will never make up for a low GPA for elite colleges.</p>
<p>I never said that a high test score would “make up” for a low GPA for elite colleges (or any college). What I said was in reference to which is better. </p>
<p>And, if you have to have one of the two be low, then it is better to have the low GPA. A high GPA with a low test score SCREAMS grade inflation at a subpar school. But, a lowish GPA (3.1 isn’t really “low”) with a high test score, still suggests that you are mentally capable to do the work. However, it also suggests that you might not do all your homework. </p>
<p>Why is your GPA only a B average??? If you can “explain” your GPA is the result of very demanding EC’s or having to have a job to help support the family, then a college might overlook the low GPA…but it’s much harder to overcome a “B” type test score…such as an ACT 24.</p>
<p>To the OP…</p>
<p>Is that your weighted GPA?</p>
<p>And, why is your GPA only a B average when your scores suggest higher?</p>