Hello everyone! This is my first post on this website so excuse me for not already knowing some of these things. I’m currently a junior in high school and would really like to attend University of Maryland, College Park. So I’ve heard that at large state school’s like this, admissions is more of a number’s game than anything else. Is there any strategic ways I can use my extracurriculars (volunteer work and some leadership positions) , background, essay’s, SAT scores (1930 but plan to re-take), other skills ( Arabic speaker) and other things to help make up for a poor GPA? Also, would taking SAT subject tests help or hurt my chances?
I was gonna make sure I got my facts right before I answered this question, but this site actually does a pretty thorough job of answering your question; you should check it out: http://blog.prepscholar.com/low-gpa-high-sat-act-what-should-you-do
Highlights:
[ul]
[]The closer your GPA is to UMCP’s admitted student GPA range, the better your chances are.
[]If you can get high subject test scores in your strongest subjects, it would show that you are academically strong in some areas. I’d recommend giving them as much proof as you can that you can succeed in an academically rigorous environment.
[li]You always want to emphasize what you feel are your greatest strengths and passions. Definitely don’t use your essay to bring up your GPA (That’s the only thing I’d disagree with in the article; it’s better to have a guidance counselor explain extenuating circumstances that impacted your GPA, if there were any).[/li][/ul]
The info you want to see is in Section C of the college’s “Common Data Set” – easily obtained via google. There’s no real substitute for GPA unless you have something the school really wants (e.g. recruited athlete). The fact is that UMD-CP can be selective b/c kids w/high GPAs apply. Plz make an appt with your HS GC to see to what schools kids with similar transcripts have successfully applied.
It depends how “bad” your numbers are. You can’t make a 22k wedding band from a Yukon Gold potato.
What is your SAT breakdown, unweighted and weighted GPA, class rank, course rigour (AP/Honors)?
Turns out that GPA is still one of the strongest predictors of academic success.
Adcoms know that, so how much sleight-of-hand do you think it takes to distract them?
Thank you for the link!
and thank you everyone for replying and helping me out!