<p>As a junior I'm trying to turn things around. I used to have bad grades, but they are improving exponentially. However my GPA can only recover so much. So any tips to make up for a bad GPA?</p>
<p>How bad is “bad”?</p>
<p>Advice:
-Good AP scores
-Lots of ECs/volunteer work
-Summer programs relating to your field of interest
-High (2200+) SAT / 35~36 ACT
-High (750+) Subject Tests</p>
<p>Generally agree with the advice above, but would order in this priority:</p>
<ul>
<li>High SAT/ACT</li>
<li>Tippy top grades for your remaining time prior to applying</li>
<li>EC/Volunteer work - ideally with depth in one or two and strong leadership if possible</li>
<li>High subject tests</li>
<li>Good AP scores</li>
</ul>
<p>^Pretty much what they said. I’d advise that you go to threads such as " The ‘I got in without a 3.7+ gpa’ club’" for some encouragement, reassessment, not to mention that you can receive good advice from people who’ve been in the position you’re in
They also forgot to mention that essays are VERY important; they need to show your passion/focus as a productive member of that school. Reasons for bad GPA’s should only be given sue to extenuating circumstances (learning disorder, family problems, illness)</p>
<p>From another post you say your cumulative GPA is about 2.7 I think. If you’re cranking now and your senior year, it’ll definitely help. But your main thing should be to talk to your guid counselor and craft a good set of target schools.</p>
<p>BTW: your SAT/ACT prep as well as getting killer grades this year and nest, at this point, are WAY more important than your ECs and volunteer efforts. They are nice but the types of schools you’ll be targeting won’t evaluate your ECs – you’ll be admitted based on your scores and GPA. These should be your primary focal points. The ECs are just frosting for now. Keep them in the proper perspective. Good luck</p>
<p>Get the best grades you can in the most challenging courses for the rest of high school.</p>
<p>Get the best possible test scores (take one each of SAT and ACT late junior year, then study and retry the better one in senior year if desired).</p>
<p>Consider going to community college, doing well there, and transferring to the state flagship if you are unable to get in as a freshman but consider it significantly more desirable than any school you can get into as a freshman.</p>
<p>I know how you feel. My freshman grades were mediocre and my sophomore grades were just above passing. My junior year I finally got my act together and pulled a 90 average and so far my senior year im taking an AP and 2 college level classes which im getting credit for. I would suggest you get a good average senior year with more challenging classes as well as join many of the clubs in your school. Volunteering is also a good idea to make up for low grades.</p>
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<p>I vehemently DISAGREE with this advice. No college that the OP will apply to will care one iota about his/her ECs or voluntarism or clubs on the resume. EVERY college he/she will apply to will care about GPA and test scores. Not that every second should be spent on the books – ECs, to the extent that the OP enjoys them and do not take away from a serious focus on grades – will be fine. But to think it will “make up” for low GPA is simply untrue.</p>
<p>Granted I’m the guy asking the question, but I just think you’re wrong. How can that be the case when there are people getting into Harvard with 2.7 GPA’s?</p>
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<p>I was with you until just now. Now you’re in fantasy land. I’m outta here.</p>
<p>2.7s in Harvard? You’re kidding right? </p>
<p>Only way a 2.7 is getting into Harvard is if any of the following occur:</p>
<ul>
<li>Long lost son of Barack Obama</li>
<li>Second coming of Tom Brady</li>
<li>Has a rare blood type that cures cancer </li>
</ul>
<p>And will also need a 2400 SAT.</p>
<p>@emprex</p>
<p>Even that probably wouldn’t be enough lol</p>
<p>T26E4----Take you’re arrogance with you.</p>
<p>look at this
[Admissions</a> Information - Harvard University - Cappex](<a href=“College Search Database: Find Your College Match | Cappex”>Harvard University Admissions and Acceptance Rate - Cambridge, MA | Cappex)</p>
<p>Where do you think Cappex got that data? From total strangers on the internet! Do you believe everything you read on the internet?
So, NO, a 2.7 does not get anyone into Harvard.</p>
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<p>Not arrogance, but rather knowledge and experience; which you were fortunate to get and would be wise to take.</p>
<p>2.7 GPA to Harvard would likely be a legacy of a giant donor, if it is even true.</p>
<p>Regular extracurriculars won’t get you anywhere close to there, nor will they matter much (if at all) compared to grades and test scores for most colleges that are realistic for applicants witha 2.7 GPA.</p>
<p>Here is the latest CDS for Harvard. <a href=“http://www.provost.harvard.edu/institutional_research/CDS_2011-2012_Final.pdf[/url]”>http://www.provost.harvard.edu/institutional_research/CDS_2011-2012_Final.pdf</a> Notice noone was below a 3.0. 0.72% of the enrolled students means there were 12 in the 3-3.25 category. <1%. 91+% were above a 3.75 with an average of 4.0.</p>
<p>I agree with T26E4’s post above (#5). If your GPA is actually ~2.7, the type of schools where you would be competitive for admission to will care much more about your GPA and test scores than they will about ECs/volunteer activities. </p>
<p>Try to do better this year in your grades to show an upward trend. And work hard to prepare for your SAT and/or ACT.</p>
<p>I will and sorry entomom, but saying I’m in “fantasy land” isn’t statement based on years of experience or knowledge, that’s just arrogance.</p>