<p>Okay so I have a low GPA for selective schools like Reed, CMU, and MIT( 3.4 UW), but I've taken 11 APs
so far. I've only taken 3 regulars classes (Intro to Engineering, Latin 2, and an Independent study period for Calc AB) with that in mind will these schools look at me in the context of my courseload or no? Thank you guys!</p>
<p>But, if they do “look at [you] in the context of [your] course load,” aren’t they going to see that when you took the really challenging classes, you did OK but not great? And aren’t these institutions that get more than enough applications from students who took the really challenging classes and did do great?</p>
<p>I’m sorry to be blunt, but I’m not sure context is going to do much for you at highly selective universities and colleges.</p>
<p>Well, my real question is am I wasting my time even considering those schools? I do get that there are so many amazing students at those schools, but I guess I’d like to think I have a chance.</p>
<p>bump10char would like more opinions</p>
<p>They will absolutely look at you in the context of our course load. Is it a waste of time to apply? Well that depends on what else you have to show them. How are your SAT scores? Do you expect to have amazing teacher recommendations? Do you have a passion that will come through in your essays and be corroborated by other aspects of your application? </p>
<p>Why don’t you consider taking less AP’s so you can concentrate on the subjects that interest you the most?
If MIT loves everything else about your application then taking one or two less AP wouldn’t move your application into the reject pile.</p>
<p>I would have to primarily agree with Sikorsky. Most MIT applicants have taken 5-10+ APs and still have unweighted GPAs of 3.8+ (personally, I have a 3.8-ish uw GPA and I’ve been accused of being a gender-AA admit because that’s so low). MIT students generally took the hardest courseload possible and excelled in it.</p>
<p>It also depends on how your school calculates it. I have a 3.8 by my school’s calculation, but I’ve only gotten 1 B+ in my high school career (the rest were A-s to A+s, mostly As), so I’m more like a 3.9 by most schools’ systems, probably.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t say you’re wasting your time, but I would say your chances are very low.</p>
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<p>With that attitude, you are. That is not a “can do” attitude that it takes to get into and survive the elite schools.</p>
<p>How much “time” will you waste? A few hours filling out their application form? I suppose if you have more important things to do, like cure cancer, then it would be a waste of your time.</p>
<p>In the application process, “why” is more important than “what is”. You haven’t said why your grades are not so hot. Did your parents divorce during your freshmen year? Did your close grandmother pass away after a lingering illness? Or, did you feel like spending your time playing in a band with your friends?</p>
<p>I agree with OperaDad that the context of your GPA is important. If you were working hard and doing your best and came up with a 3.4 unweighted, that is probably going to be problematic with schools like MIT. If there was some other factor involved, that changes things significantly.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t say that all of those schools would be completely impossible if you have top scores and great ECs, but MIT and other top schools expects students to get high grades even in the hardest classes (3.8+ GPA) at hard high schools. </p>
<p>Based on the information you gave, all the schools are reaches unless there is something absolutely extraordinary about you.</p>