<p>My high school unweighted GPA is 3.0 with no AP classes >.<
My freshmen and sophomore year GPA was 2.77, with a 3.6 junior year (when i got smart lulz)
800 Math, 730 Crit Reading, 680 writing
*I have great extracurriculars but nothing unique. Captain of mock trial, captain of model UN, varsity swimming 9 10, varsity volleyball 9 10</p>
<p>Peers from my high school class agree with me that I probably will get rejected from every top 20 university because of my GPA, which is why I'm applying to 18 top tier schools hah.</p>
<p>Let me know your responses and what you think!</p>
<p>I agree that it is going to be tough with your GPA. And it is worse because you have no AP classes so your course rigor is not there. Your EC’s are also weak. Please make sure that you have some safeties lined up. Good luck.</p>
<p>You could help yourself a lot by making very high scores on some SAT subject tests. Many “top schools” require a couple. No AP this year either? They will wonder why if your school offers them.</p>
<p>Why waste time applying to 18 ‘top 20 school?’ If you google the common data set for each of those schools, you’ll see immediately where you have a shot and where you are wasting time and money. And given that there are literally dozens of great schools out there, I’m not sure what your fixation is with ‘the top 20.’ Surely you can find schools that are a good - if not better- fit outside of that group. Particularly those schools that don’t look at freshman GPA, or don’t give it much weight.</p>
<p>If you really are hung up on the brand name, go somewhere for a year to demonstrate that you can do the work at a stellar level, and then transfer.</p>
<p>No AP’s and a low GPA? Sorry, it will be a REALLY tough sell to Top 20 schools. And not having unique EC’s will be a problem too. Your two captain positions are great, but that looks like about all the depth I see.</p>
<p>LOL I’m applying to around 10 top 30 schools, and I’m in a similar (but slightly better) situation as the OP. I have a 3.35 UW GPA in competitive school, 8 APs, 1590/1600 for SAT IIs, all 5s on AP tests, 2290/1540 on SAT, and unusual ECs. I’m so ****ed because although everything (except GPA) on my app should be solid, I’ll probably receive mostly rejections just because of my 3.35 T_T. Oh well, we can always transfer after a semester or two in college.</p>
<p>What financial safeties are you applying to? (schools that you like, you know that you’ll get accepted, AND you know FOR SURE that you can afford)</p>
<p>Yes. Really. USC loves high test scores, but that does not mean that they accept them all, just a much higher proportion than other highly-ranked colleges. :)</p>
<p>M’s mom is so right. In fact, every single word of M’s mom’s post here is absolutely right. (NOTE TO M: I’m sure M’s mom is always right.)</p>
<p>If you end up rejected everywhere, the only reason will be that you neglected or refused to apply to the right colleges and universities. You know that your wish list doesn’t match your objective qualifications. Now what are you going to do about that? Go find yourself some matches and safeties. Do it now, because it’s already the second half of November.</p>
<p>Until USC starts releasing it’s Common Data Set, one needs to accept its published (spin) data with a healthy dose of skepticism. The simple fact is that USC pays students for high test scores. They do no such thing for 4.0’s uw, unless accompanied with high test scores.</p>
<p>Now that doesn’t mean that 'SC doesn’t like high gpa’s – of course they do, like any college. But the point is that test-happy schools, like 'SC, will be more lenient on gpa for a student with high test scores. Other colleges, such as UCs, are much more gpa-focused. </p>
<p>I don’t know whether your grades will be too low for acceptance at a top 20 school or not. However, I do know that there are many excellent schools that will accept someone with your statistics. I also know that alumni from these schools often become highly successful.</p>
<p>So, my question for you is are you also applying to schools which are more likely to be a match for your statistics.</p>
<p>btw – if graduating from a top 20 is that important, then consider transferrring (if you don’t get in outright).</p>
<p>kradzzzzz,
There are a lot of excellent schools you can look at with those stats, possibly even merit-aid. Take a look at Chapman University. Best of luck!
[Chapman</a> University - Financial Aid - Undergrads](<a href=“Financial Aid | Chapman University”>Financial Aid | Chapman University)</p>
<p>no offense but what makes you think you can compete with the kids at the the
“top 20” schools? Being smart is not enough. You need disciple and a willingness to challenge yourself. You haven’t really demonstrated that with your chosen course load or your performance in regular classes. How does someone who is so smart (based on SAT) not get a higher gpa? I think colleges will think that although you may be “intellectually qualified” to succeed at their university you haven’t demonstrated (yet) that you are willing to do the work.</p>
<p>Make sure to apply to the many other wonderful non top 20 schools, I am sure there are many that can offer an excellent education to someone as bright as you. After all, an education is what college is all about, not a silly USNews ranking system.</p>
<p>There are a lot of wonderful schools out there that are not “top twenty” on any particular list. You will get into a fine school. Don’t fill your senior year with worries. Have some fun.</p>
<p>don’t even waste time with top 20 schools lol, you have no chance, not trying to sound like a d bag, but u literally have NO CHANCE</p>
<p>there are so many good schools that are not Top 20 that you could possibly get in to, so why waste your time with 18 Top 20 schools that you’ll all get degrading rejection letters for. You’re wasting time and money if you do this.</p>
<p>^Sorry OP but this guy’s right. The fact that you didn’t take any AP classes at all really hurts you. If I were you I’d just go to your state flagship for a semester two, get a 3.9-4.0, and try to transfer to a top-tier school. That’s what I’m going to do if things don’t turn out well when decisions come back. </p>
<p>But in the meantime, I’d look into NYU if I were you. Apparently it places a lot of weight on test scores, so you might be able to get in because of your SAT.</p>