Not always. Some schools are interested in attracting the best students to make the best student body, not just prove it to USNWR. Many schools don’t want to lose students once they are there, so give additional aid or allow students to appeal the loss of a merit scholarship because of a low gpa.
@brantly I understand what you’re saying, but I do have to agree with what @twoinanddone is saying, especially since I know Oregon to be a school that doesn’t play to USNWR as much. Doesn’t make sense that schools wouldn’t value the overall strength of their student body at all.
Oh, hey, some schools (and I’d guess most) only give the money to true freshmen. Some will only accept the ACT/SAT scores from fall senior years. Those students are no less qualified because they didn’t get a 1600 on the Oct test but did get it on the March test, but school do set cut offs and deadline.
It is worth a try, but you are asking for an exception so be prepared to be denied.
I hope you get it. I really do. But I am cynical. I’m sure they “value the overall strength of their student body” @baylor33 . But selecting a freshman class is like casting a play. You’re asking for a part after the play has been cast.