I’m applying regular in a few days, and my essays are spectacular. My SAT is in the middle range (I have a 1270), I have 12 AP Classes, tons of ECs + volunteers, etc. I’m above the AP/SAT average, but my UGA calculated GPA is only 3.5. Will this hinder me from getting in? I know GPA is one of the most important things they look at, but can my rigor and scores help me overcome this, since my GPA isn’t that far below?
I would say your chances are about 50/50. UGA likes to reiterate the GPA is the best predictor of college success and so they may take that into account on your app. Only 19% of admitted freshman had a GPA below 3.74, so GPA does play a huge factor. Your rigor and scores are good and they may push you to admit at best or waitlist at worst.
I hope you get admitted, but to me, you’ll probably get waitlisted. Good luck!
Also, why are you applying so late?? The application closes on the 15th.
You also do need to keep in mind that your classes are also weighed considerably when viewing your GPA. For example, a 4.00 from a student who only bothered to take a handful of AP courses is not impressive.
I got in UGA via Early Action, and I only had a 3.68 GPA at the time (based on high school transcript, unweighted). UGA’s GPA calculation processes differ, but I suspect it wasn’t too far off.
Either way, my 3.69 GPA was a result of me having taken 9 AP courses up to junior year (plus additional ones senior year). Granted, I DID have a 2130 SAT superscore, which may have offset that. But I’m just emphasizing the importance of the strength of your schedule as well.
Good luck!
Is that GPA W or UNW? If it is unweighted you probably are in good shape with 12 AP’s. What is your weighted GPA?
@ZBD5421 That’s the OP’s UGA GPA so what their weighted or unweighted GPA is as stated on their HS transcript doesn’t really matter since UGA recalculates.
I second the notion that UGA does focus on course rigor. I don’t think your GPA hurts you.
I know it is the unweighted UGA Gpa, I just wanted their weighted GPA to get a feel for the number of over all A’s they got since UGA only uses certain classes for gap. He could have a 4.3 over all and have a 3.5 it could make a difference.
It may also depend on how well you represent yourself on the app through your ECs and essays. Many people with similar stats got rejected or waitlisted at my school and they had ~10 APs. Of course, there are also the cases where sub 3.75 GPA, 1-3 AP class, low SAT students got in, so it’s really a mixed bag. My guess is that they represented themselves well on essays, or had something UGA needed (i.e. diversity).