<p>I have a relatively low GPA (3.45) but higher test scores (SAT:2150 ACT:30) Both of those scores are within Brown’s test score range but my only concern is my GPA. The only reason it is so low is because slacked off and got straight Bs and B+s in level twos at my high school. Level two is not weighted as heavily as level one. But in junior year i moved to all level 1 classes which are accelerated/AP classes. I am currently taking 5 APs and an additional accelerated physics course. I got 4 As and 2 B+s so i have obviously improved since freshman year. So my question is basically: if the only reason my GPA is low is because of freshman and sophomore year, and I have improved so much since then, will this still be looked down upon by an admissions officer.</p>
<p>My letters of recommendation are all outstanding.</p>
<p>Even your SAT/ACT scores are on the lower end of the middle 50% and your SAT II’s are pretty low as well. No harm in applying but I’d say Brown is quite an ambitious reach.</p>
<p>From talking to people and reading up on stuff, I get the idea that Brown cares a lot more about essays, extracurriculars, and the personality of the student than they do about test scores and grades. Yes, most of their students scored well on the SAT/ACT and got amazing grades throughout high school, but I don’t think that means they were selected because of their grades and scores. Students with good extracurriculars and strong personalities tend to be numerically successful as well… so it’s more of an issue of correlation than causation… if you catch my drift.</p>
<p>Conclusion: if you are an amazing person, you will get in regardless. The problem is that people who meet Brown’s definition of an amazing person usually have baller grades and better test scores than we do. There is hope, but all we can do is wait and see!</p>
<p>Yeah, I realize it’s a huge reach. I just think that like dramatic improvement should be viewed in a positive light by exclusive colleges. We’ll see… Thanks!</p>
<p>I mean, grades are obviously more important than test scores, but if the rest of your application is strong, then you should have a chance. Also, colleges tend to look very positively upon an upward trend.</p>
<p>Actually, your grades won’t weight you down. Brown looks for applicants that have improved throughout high school, and it sounds like that’s exactly what you did. That combined with your good test scores puts you in just the right spot.</p>
<p>yeah… original.peace… Idk where you got that information. A upward trend is good, but it’s not what Brown exactly looks for. I would say that taking more challenging classes is the more important factor.</p>
<p>Er, I’m not sure you understand how competitive Brown is.
Your upward trend might be reasonable if you had really great senior grades. B+'s (you go to a pretty typical public school right?) kill applications. Students apply to brown with 3.9-4.0 unweighted GPA’s, I’m talking like, they only got a couple A-'s on their entire transcript and a good amount of A+'s too. Many of them get rejected.
And your scores are on the low end of unhooked applicants; I came in here expecting someone with a 2350 or something… your scores are enough if the rest of your application is outstanding, they don’t actually benefit the application…</p>
<p>Yes, upward trends are good, but for the majority of those accepted at Brown, there was no “upward trend.” In other words, their grades were excellent for all four years.</p>
<p>I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but having just gone through ED and having a friend who did it…it’s not happening for you. Just don’t want to get your hopes up.
I had a 3.84 GPA. Never got below A-. Had that upward trend because most of my A- were freshman year. After that nearly all As. SAT scores of 760, 750, 720. SAT2 equally good. Won a prestigious fellowship which included travel abroad play 4 instruments in a band…I could go on and on…Great recommendations from everyone. Over 300 hours community service, Varsity athelete for 4 years. Great essays…English teacher says it was one of the most original she has ever read. DEFERRED…and probably will go on to be rejected. My great friend goes one better than me, same grades same Scores, great ECs…He finished AP calc as a sophomore and has spent the last two years doing college math. Also deferred. Unless you have a hook, athelete or URM, it’s not happening, especially with mediocre (for Brown)grades.</p>
<p>woah. while it may be a bit unrealistic for him to get in, he should apply anyways. you never really know. you can’t say it’s “not happening” FOR SURE. lmao, you guys sound like rabid, competitive applicants trying to deter people from applying to brown. perhaps the reason you got deferred luvtoski was because of your elitist attitude? and yes there are people with 3.9s and 4.0s rejected but probably because they lacked something in their applications that the admissions officers were able to detect. like a personality.</p>
<p>I’m not one to jump to defend Ivy admissions, but frankly, Brown is fairly holistic in their process. It may seem incredibly unlikely that you should get admitted with a low GPA and, admittedly, low test scores, but if you came across as insightful and ambitious in your essays, there’s definitely a chance. I wouldn’t give up hope.</p>
<p>Oh, and @luvtoski, if you’re just coming on the thread to say “Look at all this stuff that I do! Look how great I am! Even I got deferred! Don’t even try!”, then you should mosey on over to the Stanford board where you’ll be more appreciated.</p>
<p>I’m in the same boat as you are ramennoodles, but I’m not terribly worried. I applied anyway and I think I still have a shot of getting in because of my other qualities. As already stated, Brown is pretty hollistic in its admissions process so don’t be discouraged.</p>
<p>I’m in the same situation as you too, around a B+ average but an upwards trend.
The thing is, if you look at the stats NOT EVERYONE has perfect grades, or even “excellent ones.” There’s still that 1-2% of people with around a 3.0 or less ( some say they’re athletes, but I bet others are just kids who really want to get into brown but dont have the “grades.”)</p>
<p>And test scores are holding more weight nowadays, because every high school is different.</p>
<p>Either way, it doesn’t hurt to try. I’m hopeful for April 1 even though people tell me it’s super unrealistic. It’s the admission officers opinion that matters, not the random dream crushers.</p>