<p>This year, son took a rigorous courseload (5APs+2PreAPs) as a junior, with 5 subjects related to science, math & computer science. However, his GPA has suffered (3.4/4.0), with As in AP CompSci II, Pre AP Physics and AP US History, Bs in PreAP PreCalc (88%), AP English Lang, AP Chemistry and AP Biology. So, with such a weak GPA, does he have any chance of getting into CMU? </p>
<p>We are expecting 4s & 5s on the AP tests. Also, he should be good for an SAT score of about 2200 based on his performance on the NMSQT/ PSAT.</p>
<p>Excellent extracurriculars will cancel out a mediocre GPA. Right now he has a shot but definitely has to work harder to round out the other parts of his application.</p>
<p>@CMUTSBKid: My S has similar story, how would you describe other parts of application.
He has strong interest in CMU>Tepper .</p>
<p>That lowish GPA may not be such an issue depending on the pedigree of the high school. Looking at the statistics [Admission</a> > Admission Statistics](<a href=“Home - Computing Services - Office of the CIO - Carnegie Mellon University”>Home - Computing Services - Office of the CIO - Carnegie Mellon University) , CMU is not expecting 3.8+ high school stars, but solid school performance is definitely a must when you look at class ranks.</p>
<p>But anyways, for any school an amazing essay will outshine some of the less impressive GPAs.</p>
<p>Are there any notable awards through club participation or research? Work/Internship experience? I participated in some business clubs in high school and won some awards through that club, and I feel like that demonstrated interest in business helped my application along.</p>
<p>A great high school GPA is but one piece of a solid application and although it is an important piece, other factors carry enough weight to cancel out just one lackluster category.</p>
<p>I got into MCS with a 3.5 (upward trend, but still well below the average GPA of 3.72 for the school). Numbers can’t tell you who a person is.
Also, sorry if I sound like a bit of a jerk, but some of your language seems to imply that you are being a bit too much of an over-the-shoulder parent. While I’m sure you care a lot about your son’s success and happiness, you also need to let him make his own decisions, write the essays he wants, learn from his own mistakes, etc. Instead of asking strangers on the Internet for an answer they really can’t give you, you should trust in your son’s abilities and not take it too seriously. College is what you make of it and a person can be successful anywhere if he puts in the effort and is passionate.</p>