Low GPA, good extracurriculars. Chances?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Wellesley College
1

<p>Hi Wellesley CCs,</p>

<p>I was wondering if you can chance me; I know lots of people hate this but I'm mainly worried about my low GPA. Barnard and Wellesley are my two top choices, but they both require high GPAs (though I'm taking the hardest classes possible). I received Cs both semesters of BC Calculus sophomore year; I definitely was stupid enough to take a class that was way to hard for me. I'm wondering if my extracurriculars will make up for it, since I've spent most of my time on them. What do you guys think? Thank you so much for taking the time to do this for me. </p>

<p>GPA - Unweighted: 3.60</p>

<p>Scores:</p>

<p>SAT I Math: 780
SAT I Critical Reading: 670
SAT I Writing: 710
SAT I Composite: 2160
ACT: 30
SAT II Math Level 2 (IIC): 780
SAT II Biology - M: 640
SAT II Chemistry: 700</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:</p>

<p>Piano, 12 years
Art/painting, 10 years</p>

<p>School newspaper editor, 1 year</p>

<p>School art magazine editor, 2 years</p>

<p>Liver Cancer club co-founder and Vice President, 2 years; President 1 year</p>

<p>School art show Publicity Chair, 3 years</p>

<p>Robotics Team Public Relations Captain, 2 years</p>

<p>Sports (I mainly did for fun):
JV Badminton, 1 year
JV Track and Field, 2 years
Figure skating, 8 years</p>

<p>Volunteer/Service Work: 300 hours of community service (by the time I apply)</p>

<p>Honors and Awards: Certificate of Merit (piano)-Advanced Level</p>

<p>Presidents Award for Community Service-2 times</p>

<p>College Summer programs: (will be) probably at Wellesley College or Barnard College</p>

2

<p>I think your chances are, on a scale from 1-10 with 1 being not likely and 10 being definitely, probably around a 7. Honestly, I don’t think that GPA means a whole lot to colleges… They’re all about the test scores. Your ACT is decent and your SAT is good, especially your math, so that will help you with admissions. Good luck!</p>

3

<p>I have to disagree with part of vwrun1’s post. Colleges like Wellesley, Barnard, and their peers are not “all about test scores.” They each could fill their classes with applicants having spectacular scores. They say - and I believe they mean - that the rigor of your high school program and how you did in your classes are the most important factors they consider. Your recommendations and application essay(s) are also very significant. Test scores are important too, but less than those other factors and they won’t overcome a weak academic record. (Not saying your record is weak; just making the point.) Extracurriculars are less important than all of those things, except for those applicants - and there are plenty of them - who have something truly exceptional to include. I echo vwrun1’s good luck wishes.</p>

4

<p>I guess I really need to work on my grades then…but thank you both so much for your feedback and wishes!</p>

5

<p>i’m an incoming Wellesley girl of the class of 2015, and my grades weren’t terribly different than yours. I did however submit in the “extra” section of the common app a lot of writing samples I had done, and this was relevant to my major as well. I think Wellesley above all wants good fits, it doesn’t matter if your GPA is under so long as you obviously have something to contribute- my GPA was about 3 points under the average for my school’s acceptances, and I’m happily enrolled. don’t worry about it, just show them that you’re focused on a department, make contacts, and distinguish yourself!</p>

<p>sidenote- I applied to Barnard and was waitlisted, I don’t know if this was a situational thing or not, but I have heard they are more test/GPA based than Wellesley, which takes a lot into account
:wink: make the right choice, W!</p>

6

<p>Thanks so much oxfordswithplaid :slight_smile: I will definitely apply to both-they are my top two choices. I really hope you’ll have a wonderful time at Wellesley :)</p>

7

<p>Wellesley does look at your GPA first, but I agree with oxfordswithplaid in the sense that no way is your admittance mainly based on GPA/test scores, and that you can make it up in another area of your app.</p>

<p>I just want to add that Wellesley places a lot of emphasis and well-roundedness and leadership. Make sure you showcase some of your leadership qualities/skills in your application, whether it be through your ECs or essays.</p>

<p>Best of luck!</p>

8

<p>polish like nuts. there are many people I know at Welles who have less than spectacular grades/SATs, but they’re intelligent, and they’re at Welles. So… work hard on the rest of your app!</p>