Low GPA...High Everything Else

<p>Ok, I messed up freshman year. I've shown a lot of improvement, but my gpa still isn't as high as most people's on this board. I've taken the toughest courseload (8 AP's, All Honors otherwise), have always excelled in history and foreign language (I want to major in Government and do some work internationally). If my school would weight, I'd be fine, but they don't.</p>

<p>My scores are pretty good:</p>

<p>ACT: 32
SAT II's:
Math 2C:780
Writing: 720
World History: 710
AP's: US History: 5, Eng. Language: 4</p>

<p>My recs I'm sure will be great, and I really like my essay (btw, how much over the word limit is too much?). I've got strong EC's and awards, including National Merit Commendation. Just got an NYS scholarship that can be used at Cornell (which will be on my Mid-Year). I'm an Indian female, not that it helps anything.</p>

<p>Honestly, what do you think is the lowest GPA CAS would accept?</p>

<p>Why don't you tell us your GPA? That would make it much easier.</p>

<p>ha, forgot that part, lol. It's a 3.43; it would be a 4.199 weighted, but alas, it's not.</p>

<p>That's not too bad. Really work on your essay, try to distinguish yourself. Admissions officers don't appreciate you disregarding directions and rambling past the word limit. If it's a few words over, they won't even notice but just try to be concise.</p>

<p>bumpbumpbump</p>

<p>bumping again</p>

<p>free bump :-)</p>

<p>i had a 3.34 unweighted w/ hard classes and a 740/740. Very good ECs though, and a legacy</p>

<p>3.67 unweighted (sort of; they weigh AP's but not honors)
1460 SaT, SAT 2's 760, 720, 680 (math, writing, bio)
Capt Wrestling Team
Pres, students for social justice
Peer leader at temple
Camp Counselor/Lifeguard
chances rd? sister goes there now
p.s. what's bump?</p>

<p>bump is bumping the thread to the top of the list with a worthless little post. Its so you get more "air time."</p>

<p>If its "sort of unweighted" thats weighted. Every school weights differently, so lots of colleges unweight, throw out non academics, etc.</p>

<p>keep in mind alot of it is a crap shoot.</p>

<p>your gpa has mine beat (3.34/3.60 weighted).
comperable SAT I and IIs except in writing (I had 780)</p>

<p>Your ECs show leadership and involvement, and are focused. You spent your summers well w/ the jobs. And you have a family connection which is probably similar to legacy status. (my dad is an alum)</p>

<p>I did have music on top of what you have, and won state champ for taekwondo. I also had the advantage of applying binding ED.</p>

<p>ED aside, I'd say we both in the crapshoot range. Really good essays and recs could put you over the top. Best of luck to you</p>

<p>It is always a crapshoot...people do get in with GPA's that low though, don't worry too much about it. My scores are similar to yours, but my gpa was 4.85 weighted. I don't know if I would have gotten in with a gpa like that, but many say i would have...</p>

<p>Anyway, write good, interesting essays. Distinguish yourself, like FishS said, but I wouldn't worry about keeping it ultra-concise. I way WAY over the word limit on every one, and didn't follow the directions too closely either. I sacrficed brevity and what is normal for something interesting and different...I'm not sure if its the right thing to do, but i do know it worked for me...</p>

<p>Well, you'll find out april 1. Good luck. Stop worrying and enjoy senior year.</p>

<p>I had mine Sat, thought it went well. How important are these?</p>

<p>If you applied to the hotel or art/archi/plan school, fairly important. Otherwise, barely significant, merely expressing defined interest in the school and proving you're not a total schmuk to the college.</p>

<p>bump = bring up my post :)</p>