Low GPA, High SAT, Stellar Extracurr.

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Asian female at competitive public high school</p>

<p>UW Academic GPA: 2.933
W Academic GPA: 3.233
(Academic = English, Math, Foreign Language, Science, History)</p>

<p>TOT UW GPA: 3.2
TOT W GPA: 3.425
(TOT = Academic + Band + Dance + Art)</p>

<p>I have two D's & one F. I will make up the F by retaking the course in senior year, first semester. Those three grades are all from junior year, because my closest friend who helped me as a child (he tutored me when i came from korea at age 7 & we were pretty much in a sibling relationship) died in november of junior year. i had a hard time coping and getting over it. I had way too many APs than I could handle so that was part of the problem too. All my classes next year are regular so I should have no problem getting a 4.0 for first semester senior year.</p>

<p>SAT: 2240
CR: 720
W: 760
M:760</p>

<p>SAT II
Math IIC: 800
Korean: 780
Chemistry: 720</p>

<p>Extracurricular:
I've played flute for a longggggg time.</p>

<p>9TH GRADE
- Honorable Mention at state competition for ensemble
- one of the 10 finalists at a very competitive concerto competition
- county honor band</p>

<p>10TH GRADE
- 2nd place statewide solo competition
- 2nd place statewide ensemble competition
- concerto competition soloist winner (cash prize 500)
- a youth orchestra concerto competition winner
- worked on SJ mayor campaign
- worked on Campbell city council campaign
- county honor band
- state honor band</p>

<p>11TH GRADE
- county honor band
- state honor band
- coordinated volunteers at women's health forum representing senator elaine alquist and ran the forum the day of. (October & February. will do this again this October & next February, definitely with a bigger role)
- officer of two years for a club promoting asian awareness (culture, model minority, etc)
- currently helping to found the Silicon Valley Southeast Asian Democratic Club (nonprofit organization)
- found "Christmas in the Park," which is a little party for the orphanage kids. we dressed up as santa, gave out presents, played games, etc. money all fundraised.
- attended a leadership conference that only accepts 50 californian highschoolers (apylp)
- currently a high school intern at a stanford lab in immunology. i'm expecting a really good rec from the head of the lab. (would this somehow help my poor gpa?)</p>

<p>I'm not expecting a good letter of rec from my school teachers, since I didn't do well in those classes, but I'm expecting a really good one from my stanford intern. I've been working on my essays forever so they should be good as well.</p>

<p>I'm not sure what I'll major in, but I know if I have to choose a school, it would be the broad science & arts school. otherwise, undecided.</p>

<p>Please chance in the following colleges?
USC
Smith
Mt. Holyoke
Scripps
UCSD
UCI
UCSB
Claremont Mckenna
University of Washington
Bryn Mawr
NYU
U of Chicago</p>

<p>Any other colleges I might have a chance in?</p>

<p>Thanks so much in advance... I'm in so much distress :(</p>

2

<p>Oh, and U Michigan Ann Arbor</p>

3

<p>USC: probably a reach, though it's more forgiving with GPA
UCSD: reach
UCI: reach
UCSB: reach
NYU: slight reach
U of Chicago: reach
UMich (OOS): reach</p>

<p>Your GPA holds you back at UCs.</p>

4

<p>None of the private schools will take you with that GPA.</p>

<p>UNLESS you explain your personal situation junior year.</p>

<p>Bear in mind that they're going to only care about your academic GPA. And that UMich will actually admit you based on a certain formula (or at least your initial review) involving your SAT and GPA. Your GPA will kill your chances.</p>

5

<p>but i don't know where i would write about that, you know? and i'm not even sure if i'm comfortable with writing it. i mean, on the common application, there is no space for "Explain something about your grades" or something like that. i only saw that on the USC app. UC took that part away. and i already wrote my personal statement on flute... i really don't know what to do :(</p>

6

<p>You might get into UCSB</p>

7

<p>your counselor can put that in your recommendation maybe?</p>

8

<p>there's an "additional information" section on the common app. Perhaps, explain yourself there?</p>

9

<p>Attach an addendum. There doesn't have to be a space for it. You can also try calling admissions offices and asking them where you should include a brief explanation of a relevant situation...they'll be able to tell you how to handle it. You NEED to explain that dip in GPA. You also need to find teachers to give you strong recommendations...either teachers from another year, a class you did better in, or teachers who are familiar with what you were going through. When you ask for recommendations, I also suggest that you set up an appointment to discuss the issue with them...make sure they know that you take responsibility for it and that you know it's a big hurdle, but make sure that THEY know what happened. Your situation really requires a context and you'll likely be penalized if you don't provide one.</p>

<p>Like a previous poster said, UCs will be problematic b/c they only go off of two years of GPA--grades 10-11--and they're a little less likely to heavily consider individual circumstances. With your ECs and test scores, you could likely get into stronger schools.</p>

<p>I found both Scripps and USC to be understanding of a similar situation (different explanation, higher GPA, but still a major dip in grades in an otherwise very strong application). I strongly suggest you apply to schools with a broader range of selectivity (and which are likely to consider your situation, take an interview, etc., so UCs aren't normal safeties for you), because you have very unpredictable chances. Right now, I feel like your list lacks a definite safety (though I'm no expert), although you could have a very successful cycle. Just be warned that in your case, "chancing" is even more pointless than usual because it's always impossible to predict how a given admissions officer will feel about your personal situation.</p>

<p>Good luck this year...you're a strong applicant (and obviously a strong person), and I'm sure things will work out :)</p>

10

<p>just wondering...is ur GPA out of 4? Ur stats look very nice...everything else is very solid and gives u a good shot at those schools u r looking at</p>

11

<p>yes it is. i don't know if my other stats can over it though.. :(</p>

12

<p>Are you kidding me? Santa Barabara a reach? Give me a break. Ignore these lames. If you explain what happened, you should get into most of the schools you named.</p>

13

<p>good SAT scores for the school you're applying to. Although your EC isn't as impressive as you might think.</p>