<p>I don't know if I posted this before since my search function isn't working (won't show the threads I have created) so I am going to just ask....</p>
<p>The highest GPA possible I can get is 3.43 and I want to get into MIT or JHU (BME). Is this possible? If so, what do I have to do to make up for the low GPA?</p>
<ul>
<li>Win ICO/IPhO/IBO/IMO</li>
<li>Found multi-million dollar charity</li>
<li>Become an all-American lacrosse player (JHU only)</li>
<li>Be nominated for an Oscar</li>
<li>Win election to state government</li>
<li>Have your parents donate a nice new department</li>
</ul>
<p>I kid, but having strong test scores and ECs, recommendations, and essays that give a sense of who you are and why you want to be at those schools will help.</p>
<p>What’s your class rank?</p>
<p>I’m a sophomore so class rank doesn’t matter that much but I am in the top 50%</p>
<p>^
I’m in the top 100%.</p>
<p>You’re a sophomore and you say
"The highest GPA possible I can get is 3.43 "</p>
<p>Does this mean you get straight As for your remaining 2.5 years of HS? Does this mean your current GPA is around 3.0?</p>
<p>Viable candidates for MIT are usually in the top 5-10% of class rank with excellent test scores. I’d say you’re considerably outside the range for MIT</p>
<p>DD had an unweighted GPA of 4.0/4.0, weighted it was something like 5.12/4.0, class rank was 1/525. 1500+ SAT. MIT didn’t deem her “worthy”. Ha…THEIR loss. Seriously, if you buckled down now and get straight A’s for sophomore, junior, and 1st semester senior year, you can have your guidance counselor explain that you got off on the wrong foot in high school and turned things around. Schools will look at lower than great GPA’s if there is proof that you matured and took tough classes. However, although I’d certainly suggest that you apply to top schools, you’ll need to make sure that you have some realistic choices in there too. The best thing you can do for yourself is to take as many AP courses you can and do really well on them and prepare as much as possible for the SAT (and retake if necessary). Good luck</p>
<p>I would definitely suggest buckling down and studying very diligently. Another thing to take into consideration may be to participate in school clubs and sports and acquire leadership positions as well. Alongside club participation, community service is a biggie for top schools too. But again, if maintaining a better GPA is your concern, definitely consider studying very hard and doing well on the SAT. A good SAT score for those schools could potentially (I use this word loosely) offset a bad GPA but you must start aiming for excellent grades in order to attain even consideration for those schools.</p>
<p>@astrophysicsmom Yeah I am taking like ALL AP classes</p>
<p>@Lachrymose Yeah I am going to do that, however I am going to do that (join ECs) next year…does that look bad?</p>
<p>Johns Hopkins has a much higher ED admissions rate than for regular admissions. So, it may be worth considering applying ED to JHU if it is a top choice.</p>
<p>MIT is probably next to impossible with a 3.43 GPA.</p>
<p>Yeah I am going to apply ED to JHU. </p>
<p>And okay if MIT is next to impossible what about Duke?</p>
<p>Okay, for MIT, a 3.43 will not make it. However, is that your weighted GPA? The average is usually around 3.89, but you can make it to at least an 3.6, which isn’t that bad. Now, here’s the hard part: if you really want to attend MIT, I would suggest for you to bomb the SAT, with at least an 750 on each section. </p>
<p>I don’t know what your involvement is outside of school. That will be paramount as well. Good luck with everything! And remember, you can always attend MIT after college if you wish to pursue a grad school career!</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Conceited and bitter mother is conceited and bitter.</p>
<p>@Andres1 yeah…YEAH! Thank you!! And that was my unweighted GPA.</p>
<p>Outstanding ec’s, awards, and etc. You said your a sophomore so you still have time to raise your gpa with honors/AP classes.</p>
<p>^We don’t do weighted and if I got all A’s that’s what my GPA would be</p>
<p>^will your school count credits earned at your local community college into your gpa? If you were to get all A’s up until you start the college admissions process I think that it would be around 3.8-3.85 depending on how many classes you took.</p>
<p>Then again I don’t know how your school calculates your gpa…</p>
<p>Nope they do not put in on our transcript. Or at least I don’t think so…</p>
<p>[Is</a> this what you are talking about?](<a href=“http://www.hardingcharterprep.org/students/college_information/concurrent_enrollment_policy/]Is”>http://www.hardingcharterprep.org/students/college_information/concurrent_enrollment_policy/)</p>
<p>yeah that’s what I’m talking about</p>
<p>Well then yeah they don’t count it on your transcript :(</p>