<p>I have a 1990 on my SAT. I take tough classes. I do volunteer work every weekend, I am involved in drama, key club, Latin, track and field, the gay-straight alliance and many other things.</p>
<p>I have a 2.5 GPA.</p>
<p>This year, everything has been crushing me and I've finally gone to see a therapist and they're quickly discovering that I have anxiety problems and probably have an anxiety disorder. Is there any place for this in any of my college applications? Should I just leave it out? Apparently, it would explain why I'm not a good student, but I feel like it'd be making excuses. Would colleges care at all?</p>
<p>Also, because of my GPA, I have no idea what type of schools I should be applying to. Every factor but my GPA suggests schools almost in the first tier, but my GPA says, "community college". Hah.</p>
<p>Most applications have a supplemental material section or something like that where you can explain something, I'd suggest explaining it there. Also you can explain it in one of the essays that have you talk about a setback.</p>
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Apparently, it would explain why I'm not a good student, but I feel like it'd be making excuses. Would colleges care at all?
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<p>There is a huge difference between someone with a 2.5 because they don't care and don't go to class, and someone with a 2.5 because they have an anxiety disorder. Colleges WILL want to know, and you should want to tell them. You are not "making excuses" for this, you are telling them the reason it happened.</p>
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Every factor but my GPA suggests schools almost in the first tier, but my GPA says, "community college". Hah.
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<p>If you could get your SAT score up to a 2100 (I know you can do it, really!) you would definitely be sending colleges a good signal. That, combined with your ECs, will probably make a few colleges stop and notice you as a qualified applicant.</p>
<p>Although I'm not your therapist and don't know anything about psychology, I'm wondering if your huge list of ECs could be contributing to your anxiety. If you're constantly doing something and always have a jam-packed schedule, that can't be great for your stress levels. Talk with your therapist and counselor at school and come up with a solution. Best of luck to you.</p>
<p>Columbia<em>Student and Sunshine</em>dancer are obviously quite jaded if they think that a 2.5, 1900 profile is Community College material. Please don't listen to the misinformed.</p>
<p>I would definitely explain this. Maybe even a note from your therapist that your counselor could mention in his/her SSR report would help.</p>
<p>Definitely apply to the schools you want to go to, with some sure safeties in mind. (A lot of schools would accept a 2.5, but they won't be first tier if that's what you want.)</p>
<p>Try taking the ACT, too. It doesn't have a guessing penalty, so it might relieve some stress.</p>
<p>Don't dismiss what was said above. No top college is taking a 2.5 no matter what. The OP will have a choice between community colleges and schools that will accept a 2.5. In places like CA where community colleges feed into top schools like Berkeley and UCLA, this could be an excellent strategy.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Tell your counselor. They are a trusted voice, and it's their job to explain things like this on their part of the application.</p></li>
<li><p>You could, like others have said, send a letter from your therapist, if you feel that's necessary. I'd actually have them send the letter to your counselor so they could do a better rec instead. But hurry! Most deadlines are coming up soon, and you need time to have extensive conversations with both of these people.</p></li>
<li><p>The place for you to explain these things yourself is in the Additional Information section. There you can show them things that they won't get from either your counselor or the therapist. </p></li>
<li><p>Don't listen to the people who keep saying things about community college. You should at least apply to the places you'd like, and do the best you can by providing a flawless application, whether it means retaking the SAT/ACT or spending hours on your essay. They ask for other things besides your GPA for a reason. </p></li>
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<p>You haven't said what you mean by first tier. First tier for most on CC is the Ivy League/LAC's, but for you it might just mean your state flagship. Whatever it is, it doesn't hurt too much to try if you don't mind spending the cash on the apps.</p>
<p>Last year, several of my daughter's friends had nearly 4.0 UC GPA and did not get admitted to even UCD, one did get into Cal Poly SOL. However, it does not offer of the major they want so some of them ended up at 2 year community colleges. BTW, her high school is pretty competitive for California(API=10).
I was not trying to be mean or anything, I was trying to help you save some application fees. I did read that you wrote Tier 1, so I assume you meany Tier 1. But there are 4000 colleges out there and I'm sure that are some that will accept students with your GPA. Try Penn State, University of San Diego, University of Redlands, etc..</p>
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<p>Elon, since you are SO informed, please give OP some suggestions as to where she should apply.</p>
<p>You guys are very helpful, thank you for replying.</p>
<p>But, I was probably exaggerating when I said "first tier". As far as "reaches" for me, I've got Ithaca College...and that's about it. That should tell you where I think I am. </p>
<p>I understand that a lot of people think a 2.5 is CC material, but community college is a last-ditch option for me right now. I just really want a typical college experience at the moment.</p>
<p>My teachers and best friend are telling me I can't get into Suffolk U, a school used to 2.9/1600 profiles. Is a 2.5 truly THAT detrimental?</p>
<p>To be honest, a 2.5 isn't too pretty- but given your ciscumstances, colleges will most likely weigh your GPA less heavily and see what you have to offer based on your essays, extracurricular, and SAT. The posters who tell you to apply t community college aren't "misinformed", because a 2.5 essentially screams community college for someone who doesn't have EC's and a disorder. Just keep in mind that it's not the end of the world if you don't make it into your top choices. I would suggest you apply to all your schools and hope for the best. Good luck.</p>
<p>kayleealia, I think you need to prove to colleges that it was the anxiety problem that got you a bad GPA and your GPA doesn't represent your academic ability. This could be in the form of a teacher saying your grades have improved (have your counselor report this) (C's to A's, for example), getting a higher SAT/ACT score, etc. Keep your grades up this semester. Better grades this semester will help prove your true academic ability.</p>
<p>As for Ithaca and Suffolk, apply and make them amazing applications. Both schools, if I recall, are holistic so they will look at your app as a whole.</p>
<p>Also, someone at my school with a B/C average got into Stanford two years ago. No, he was not an URM--he was white. At first everyone thought it was because he was recruited for cross country, but he's not running (competitively) at the school, so Stanford must have seen something else in him. Point is, even though your GPA is probably the most important part of your application, it's not the only important part.</p>
<p>All you can do now is stop thinking about how it would hurt you, but instead focus on how you can improve your image to a college.</p>
<p>By a 2.5, yes, I mean an 80 average. I'm actually in the top quarter of my class...that should give you can idea of my academic courseload and environment, haha.</p>
<p>Thank you, everybody. Seriously, any advice is really helpful</p>
<p>Top 25% is not bad. You must go to a competitive high school. Go ahead and apply. I think those 2 schools are not as competitive as other schools on Tier 1.</p>
<p>This is why rank, or context, is vital to know on these threads. At the vast majority of US high schools, a 2.5 is in the bottom quarter. Ithaca should be very safe.</p>