Low GPA, am I done?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi everyone! I'm a junior this year and soon I'll have to enter the dreaded process of college applications. I've been doing some research about colleges and the admission process, but honestly, I do not even know which colleges I have a chance of being accepted into. So I've finally figured out how to post a new thread and ask for you guys' opinions.</p>

<p>I'm a very dedicated student, one of the rare "naturally-smarts." But there were some obstacles that I faced during the first two years of high school that made it hard for me to excel at school (mild-depression and the stress of moving to a new location once again). I want to know if I still have a chance at what used to be my dream colleges despite my low GPA.</p>

<p>Race: South Asian
My GPA (unweighted)- 3.3 out of 4.0 (This is the huge bomb)
My GPA (weighted)- 3.6 out of ??
SAT score (not superscored)- 2270
Planning to take the SAT IIs for Chem and Biology</p>

<p>Classes that I've taken: (Very rigorous courses)
-8th: Spanish 1 (no honors available), Algebra Honors
-9th: Spanish 2 Honors, Geometry H, Biology H, 9th Lit H, AP Human Geography, Am Gov/Health
-10th: Spanish 3 H, PreCalc H, Chem H, 10th Lit H, AP World History, AP Statistics
-11th: Spanish 4 H, AP Calculus AB, AP Chemistry, AP Biology, AP Language, Debate Class
-(Hopefully) 12th: AP Calculus BC, Anatomy H, AP Physics B, College English, AP MacroEconomics, Debate Class</p>

<p>So my questions are basically:
1) I understand that colleges consider the rigor of an applicant's course, but how much does this mitigate a low GPA?</p>

<p>2) Can high SAT scores, a very rigorous schedule, and really good extracurriculars trump a low GPA?</p>

2

<p>GPA and rigor go hand in hand really, the look at the difficulty of the classes you took and how you did in them, at least that’s how i’ve had it explained to me. Your test score is great. Where are you thinking of applying too?</p>

3

<p>GPA is equally important as everything else. Depending on where you live such as California doesn’t include Freshman year and you get extra point for UC approved classes. Mention personal statements and there’s a chance in everything.</p>

4

<p>I’m not sure where I want to apply yet. My dream schools used to be NYU and UChicago. But I no longer think these are highly viable options. However, since I am out of state for both of these colleges, I know that the GPA they will be receiving in the transcript is the 3.6, since my state sends the weighted grades to out of state colleges. A 3.6 isn’t the end of the world, but it’s still not good. I also know that one of my senior friends was accepted into NYU Business with the same CNA that I have. I’m definitely not as confident as this post might make me seem, but I haven’t lost all hope either. I’m asking around to gather more information. Thank you guys for replying.</p>

<p>Do you think transferring to a different college is a good strategy?</p>

5

<p>What circumstances led to your “low” GPA? Did you slack off in your courses, feel regret, and are now trying to cover for lower grades in the hopes of attending a prestigious university and the school’s never finding out about your previously lousy work ethic?</p>

<p>Or, are these circumstances as you’ve said, personal issues that hindered you from doing the best you could in school? </p>

<p>Colleges and universities aren’t looking for students with impeccable records. They’re looking for students with character who, the institutions desire, may have impeccable records (and who may have connections and a bit of money, but that’s another story). </p>

<p>The last time I checked, admissions officers know that students are human. Students aren’t invincible. They are susceptible to unexpected events, urges that go against their better judgment (“I’ll watch that movie now. Homework can wait.”), and even the occasional B. Shocker, I know.</p>

<p>What’s my point? A GPA of 3.3 isn’t going to cause your world to come crumbling down. By extension–and I know this shall sound like blasphemy or some idealistic thought that can’t possibly be true in reality–attending a lesser known but equally rigorous institution won’t cause your world to come crumbling down, either. </p>

<p>I can’t answer your questions because I don’t work for the admissions departments at Chicago or NYU, so I don’t know their expectations. Why don’t you call them?</p>

<p>When you ask about “transferring,” do you mean redirecting your focus to another “dream” school? Or attending a less well-known institution and then transferring into either Chicago or NYU?</p>

6

<p>It will depend on where you are applying, but the low GPA will probably be an issue.</p>

7

<p>Such a low GPA will hurt you. If you get your counselor or something to tell colleges about the difficulties you had, it’ll help, but your GPA will still hurt you since you’re competing against students who have really high scores in school.</p>

8

<p>Question for everyone: Is having depression really not an excuse for poor grades for a certain period of time? Seriously, depression is awful. No one can focus on school that hard when they’re depressed, so shouldn’t their ‘non depressed’ grades we more considered?</p>

9

<p>The low GPA will not really hurt you as much as you might think if you have shown improvement in your transcript.</p>

<p>Colleges will not just look at one number, they look at all of your grades and look for trends. Many students have difficulty adjusting to high school. One of the schools that I am applying to even drops freshman year grades completely and re-calculates your GPA.</p>

10

<p>^ Their non-depressed grades should be considered more, but there is really no way to put an asterisk on your high school transcript because you had depression. College admissions officers only see an emotionless piece of paper.</p>