<p>In general, can a good ACT/SAT along with strong ECs, recs, and essays compensate for a somewhat weak GPA? I have a 3.8 weighted GPA (including what I think I will get this year, as a junior), but a 35 ACT and a tough schedule. I am in 3 AP classes this year and will take 4 next year. My recs will be great, I have strong relationships with two teachers I plan on asking. My SATIIs and AP exams will be strong; I am a very good test taker. I consider my EC's strong, with plenty of leadership and volunteer interest. Will my GPA really come around to screw me? Or can having a strong application in every other category nullify my poor GPA. I am looking at elite LACs (in order of interest) such as:
Dartmouth
Bowdoin
Amherst
Colgate
Williams
Bates
Hamilton
Colby
Middlebury</p>
<p>Even though I recommend Bates and Bowdoin for people in the opposite situation (high GPA, low SAT/ACT) with otherwise strong applications, given these schools’ status as the “reaches-for-anyone” of the test-optional world, maybe these two schools would consider a strong SAT/ACT as helpful.</p>
<p>Dartmouth: Reach
Bowdoin: Reach
Bates: Reach
Amherst: Reach
Colgate: High match
Williams: Reach
Hamilton: Match
Colby: Match/high match
Middlebury: High match</p>
<p>Get yourself a safety! Geneseo is just one I could recommend you…</p>
<p>And as you seem to fear, this is kind of the problem. If you are a good test-taker, why haven’t you done comparably well on the tests in school?</p>
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<p>I am afraid that at most of the LACs on your list, the answer will be that it can’t. (I really am sorry about that, by the way.) These colleges will see themselves as admitting college students first and foremost, and they’re likely to think the best indicator of the kind of college student you’ll be is the kind of high-school student you’ve been. One or two of the colleges on your list might be willing to take you in and see what happens, but I fear most of them are pretty unlikely reaches.</p>
<p>They will all be high reaches. You are look at LACs which have a more holistic approach/want strong test scores but don’t allow them to compensate for other areas and really your only great/strong aspect is your ACT score. The high ACT and low GPA is suggesting to schools that you are smart but unmotivated and/or lazy. This may not be the case, but that is how your application will be perceived.</p>
<p>I used to be like you, thinking I had a chance at colleges like these with a mediocre GPA and high test scores. I don’t know what I would have done without this site, though, because they really brought me back into reality. I went from a list of Amherst, Brown, Wesleyan, Vassar, Tufts, Colby, Skidmore, Ithaca, UMass Amherst to Ithaca, UMass, Marist, Scranton, Nyack, and a few community colleges. I hope I can get into my reach, Ithaca!</p>
<p>You should consider my story before you go and apply to all these colleges you won’t get into. Hey, maybe I’ll see you at Ithaca!</p>
<p>You need to apply to some safeties, since all of those schools are matches or reaches, as everyone said. GPA is unfortunately the most important factor in college admission. A high SAT/ACT supplements a high GPA, but can’t stand alone except at the mid-level state schools. </p>
<p>There are simply too many “smart slackers” these days.</p>
<p>However, as everyone also will say, do not be discouraged. Just be informed.</p>
<p>I say WRONG! You still have a great shot. Are your EC’s different/interesting? Do you have a passion? Have grades been on upward trend? It is holistic. It’s not like a 3.8 is bad. Hellllooo…some kids get 4.2 and 28 ACT. That tells you what?</p>
<p>3.8 weighed is significantly worse than 3.8 unweighed. In fact, a 3.8 weighed and 3.8 unweighed is better than a 4.0 weighed and 3.6 unweighed. If his unweighed is 3.6 or above, it would improve his chances.</p>
<p>But yes, if the GPA is low due to Freshmen year, you will have a good chance at many of those schools.</p>