<p>I'm really worried about my chances at any remotely good college. I'm a Caucasian female with a 3.95 weighted(should increase by my mid-year report to >4.0), estimating about a 3.3 unweighted, but I have a 2190 SAT(760V-720M-710W) and a 35 ACT(I'm sending the act scores). I'm also a National Merit Semifinalist and likely finalist and an AP Scholar with Distinction(5 5s and one 4 on APs). I'm good at writing essays and am working hard on my app essays. I've taken every class at the highest level offered (except for World History).
I'm worried that the discrepancy between my test scores and my grades will paint me as a slacker in the eyes of admissions officers. I have had some extenuating circumstances (strained relationship with my mother, father in a war zone) that affected my grades, but I'm still worried.
Do I still have a shot at a decent college?
Does anyone have any advice on what I could to to help my situation?</p>
<p>As a nmsf/ nmf you will be able to attend one of several decent schools, such as Northeastern, NJIT, Arizona, Oklahoma, Alabama and TX A&M that offer good scholarships to boot. Assuming that you have good SAT Subject test scores and took a sufficently rigorous course load in junior year (since you have all those APs, I belive you did), you should be able to convince an adcom at some top 50 university or LAC, that you have the aptitude, content knowledge and studying skills to deserve a break. </p>
<p>By the way, it is also possible that your school has a bit of a grade deflation problem. Your AP & SAT scores suggest it. The colleges have data on schools to figure this out. If that is the case, it will work in your favor. For example, a B grade with a 5 on the AP test is better than a B. Although, you will probably still have to explain why your gpa is so low. For instance my son has a weighted gpa like yours too, but back out the middle school grades and it jumps to ~ 4.2. Add senior year fall semester and jumps to 4.3. Considering 4.4 is top 10% it does not look as bad any longer. you should discuss what obstacles you faced that dropped your gpa and how you overcame them to be where you are now.</p>
<p>Talk to your guidance counselor and ask her (or him) if she will explain your family circumstances in her recommendation to the colleges. The colleges expect these details to come from the guidance counselor.</p>
<p>Spend some time in the financial aid forum reading up on that. Pay attention to the threads on Guaranteed Merit-based Scholarships. Your GPA qualifies you for a number of them.</p>
<p>What does this mean to you? There are hundreds of remotely good colleges in the US and dozens of really excellent ones all of which would be happy to have you if you can afford them.</p>
<p>An UW GPA of 3.3 can indicate a whole range of issues. The worst case is that you have mostly A’s with a smattering of C’ and even D’s mixed in for some core classes. The best case is that you have all A’s and B’s, with most of the B’s earned in Phys Ed, Art or other non-core classes. Even if you have an occasional B in an English or History class, it won’t be a problem if you are planning to major in Engineering (just one scenario).</p>
<p>It should help you tremendously if you have truly taken a rigorous curriculum. If you have half a dozen or more AP classes (and 4 or 5 on the exam) then you should be in good shape.</p>
<p>Also, you do not mention your class rank or school profile. It really helps if you are in the top 10% at a competitive high school, regardless of your GPA.</p>
<p>Agree wth all of the above posts and suspect you would be in the running for all but the very toughest universities in terms of admissions (ie, T25 universities and T15 LACs). Also, find out your class rank. If as perazziman suggests, your school has grade deflation and you are in the top 10 to 15%, you might be able to get into some of these universities and LACs as well.</p>
<p>I agree that you should have your guidance counselor address some of the mitigating circumstances. I think your chances will be better than you think. You might not get into the same schools you’d get into with a 4.4 and 35, but I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Just my opinion. And, of course, apply to a range of schools to cover your bases. No reason not to throw in a few stretch schools.</p>
<p>Agree with others that you should make sure your GC can verify your family situation, and then apply to some reach schools. Just make sure you have a good set of true matches and safeties. If your father is in the military serving abroad perhaps some schools would cut you a little *extra *slack on the GPA issue.
Good luck!</p>
<p>So not from the applicant? Most of my applications have the space to explain any additional information that you want to be considered. Would it be better to ask my counselor to explain my circumstances instead? She knows me well and knows my situation. </p>
<p>As for decentness- I’m applying to UCLA, UCBerkley, UCSB, USC, UT, OU, NYU(as a legacy), UChicago, and UPenn. Obviously Berkley, Chicago and Penn are reaches, but I’m hoping I’ll get in to USC or NYU. I’m not top 10% (I’m just under top 20%), but my school is extremely competitive.</p>
<p>Father in a war zone could make an interesting essay, and you could highlight that challenge in that way, but otherwise, yes, the explanation is better from your GC or referenced in your teacher recs – despite the significant challenges at home, Susie remains an engaged and enthusiastic learner, etc. That way it paints you in the best light possible. Good luck!</p>
<p>I’m a white female from Texas. And it’s not nationally recognized but its Magnet program is known for its rigor and competition.(I transferred from a nationally recognized school because my current school is more challenging intellectually)
As for ECs, I’ve done 3 years of UIL Theater and been on the Mathletes and an active part of my schools’ Political clubs, among other things. I’ve also worked 8-14 hours a week at the same job sophomore-senior year, if that has any relevance.</p>
<p>UCLA, UCBerkley, UCSB, USC, UT, OU, NYU(as a legacy), UChicago, and UPenn. Obviously Berkley, Chicago and Penn are reaches, but I’m hoping I’ll get in to USC or NYU</p>
<p>21% at UCLA
27% at Berkeley
96% at Santa Barbara
86% at SoCal
91% at Texas
24% at Chicago
20% at Penn
67% at NYU (perhaps a little higher)</p>
<p>As you can see, your chances aren’t very bleak at all (the chance you have for your reaches are indeed relatively high). Especially for your targets.</p>