Low GPA but strong ECs...chance me?

Chance Me / Match Me!
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<p>Hey guys so I'm an international student studying in the Indian syllabus (CBSE) and I'm really really interested in applying to a university in the US, but the only thing that's holding me back is my academics. Have a look at my stats:</p>

<p>9th grade: 8.6 CGPA
10th grade: 10 CGPA
11th grade: 56% :(
12th grade: expecting my teachers to predict around 75-80% for my boards :/</p>

<p>SAT: Reading- 580, Math- 760, Writing- 710. Total= 2050.
Will be rewriting SAT this December, so might improve.</p>

<p>ECs: (i) Been playing chess for 9 years now, represented India in the World Youth Chess Championships in France, Georgia, Greece. Have an international rating as well. Won several regional competitions.</p>

<p>(ii) Scrabble player, participated in World Youth Scrabble Championships in Malaysia and in the Gulf Scrabble Championships in Dubai. Have an intl. rating in Scrabble as well, world rank (among adults) 750.</p>

<p>(iii) Participated in many MUNs, like HarvardMUN in China and won many inter-school MUNs as well.</p>

<p>(iv) Keen quizzer and have competed and won in many inter-school quizzes.</p>

<p>(v) Participated in the World Scholars Cup for many years, and have won several awards throughout.</p>

<p>There are a lot more that I can list out but I think these are sufficient enough.</p>

<p>Essay: My essay is good enough, according to my parents and counselor. I wrote about chess and how it helped shape me.</p>

<p>So yeah those were my stats, and I'm looking to apply to GaTech, Drexel, USC, UIUC, Purdue, UCLA, UCSD, UVirginia, PennState, IIT, Waterloo, UT Austin, Texas A&M.</p>

<p>How do you think my application will turn out? Thanks for the time :D</p>

<p>PS: Will chance back, with whatever little knowledge I have :P</p>

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<p>Matches: G.I.T, Drexel, Purdue, UCSD, Penn State, Waterloo, Texas A&M</p>

<p>Reaches: UIUC, IIT, UTexas, USC</p>

<p>Extremely Doubtful: UCLA, UVirginia</p>

<p>You haven’t got any safeties in this list. Louisiana State, Arizona State, Rutgers are perhaps at a level to consider. Don’t know your major or reasoning for the schools above as they all seem to be a wide geographic spread.</p>

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<p>GaTech-reach (depends on what you major in)
Drexel-low reach/match
USC-match/low reach
UIUC- match
Purdue- depends on what you plan to major in
UCLA-HIGH reach
UCSD-match
UVirginia- HIGH reach
PennState-match
UT Austin, -low reach/match
Texas A&M.- match</p>

<p>Good luck!
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1577930-yet-another-chance-post-check-out-maybe.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1577930-yet-another-chance-post-check-out-maybe.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Thanks a ton for the replies! :D</p>

<p>@BestOfTheBest: Yeah I think I will need some financial aid as my dad’s budget is around 30k, and most of these colleges cost higher than that :confused: how does this affect my chances? And the reason for my resonating gpa is because I focused a lot on my ECs in 9th and 11th, and didn’t really spend much time on academics…kinda regret it, but it did help me get some valuable accolades :)</p>

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<p>@highland_poppy: Thank you! That made me smile :)</p>

<p>How do you think I can increase my chances for UCLA/UVa? If I’m able to hit a 2150~ score on my SAT, will they be easier to reach? :/</p>

<p>I spoke to my admissions counselor, and she says that Drexel and IIT are safeties. Do you think I should still be adding any of those you recommended? I’m doubtful :/</p>

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<p>@Vee100196: Thank you for your post :slight_smile: </p>

<p>Will improving my SAT help my chances rise up? Or will my gpa let me down? :/</p>

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<p>Oh and guys sorry I forgot to mention; my intended major is Mechanical Engg. If not for this then I’m considering Electrical as a secondary option.</p>

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<p>Ga Tech, UIUC and UCLA are reaches because they have excellent engineering programs. The others are all matches or safeties due to your great ECs and sat score.
Good luck!
Chance back? <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1575392-will-my-class-rank-gpa-make-up-my-low-sat-scores.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1575392-will-my-class-rank-gpa-make-up-my-low-sat-scores.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Thanks @Sanjay1023! I’ve chanced you too, check it out :slight_smile:
Looks like we have similarities in our college choices…hope we both make it where we want :)</p>

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<p>I can’t say for sure because I am not in the admissions office but for IIT your test scores are good although your grades are not quite as strong. ECs are fine. I would guess that you are likely to be admitted. Drexel is very similar to IIT in admission standards.</p>

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<p>@suryaslash, Raising your SAT will ALWAYS look good on your application, regardless of GPA! Just aim for a higher score- you never know, a high score just might help you get accepted! Also, for engineering, I would say that Purdue might become harder to get into, as their engineering program is brilliant (an understatement), but if you show initiative, and make it clear to the Ad Com that you’re going to work really hard, you should be good to go. Good luck, and well done in representing India for chess! Indian pride woot woot! :)</p>

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<p>@xraymancs: Thank you! :D</p>

<p>Have you any clue about the others on my list? :/</p>

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<p>@Vee100196: Yes, I’m working on getting my score up to 2200+ atm, as that looks pretty nice. Awesome to know that Purdue has a good engg. program, though it reduces my chances lol i’m still gonna hope for the best :slight_smile: How do you think I can show initiative? Through my essays or SOP or sth like that? Thanks again for the reply :D</p>

<p>Haha that was a while ago, but still thank you :smiley: Jai Hind :D</p>