Low GPA, High SATs

<p>Male/Caucasian
Large Public (~515 students)
Massachusetts
Low income
Possible majors: Econ, Computer Science</p>

<p>3.2-3.3 unweighted (2.4 freshman, 3.0 sophomore, 3.7 junior, 4 (term 1) senior) Class rank: top 25%
3.8-3.9 weighted (.75 AP, .5 H, .25 regular)</p>

<p>SAT I: 2370 (800 Math, 800 CR, 770 Writing(11 Essay))
ACT: 36</p>

<p>SAT II: US Hist 2 & Physics & Math II (800 all)</p>

<p>AP Exams:</p>

<p>AP Lang. (5)
AP US Hist. (5)
AP Macroeconomics (5)
AP Microeconomics (5)
AP Comp. Science A (5)
AP Psychology (5)
AP Calc. AB (5)
AP Lit. (5)
AP Government (5)</p>

<p>EC:</p>

<p>Cross Country Varsity (Junior & Senior)
Indoor Track Varsity (Junior & Senior)
Outdoor Track Varsity (Junior & Senior)
Summer Job at restaurant (Junior entering Senior)
Some volunteering hours (~ 50)</p>

<p>Assuming all Rec's are good.
Essays will be excellent.</p>

<p>Your stats look familiar. S applied to 15 schools and had no luck at the top tier. Got a scholarship at a 2nd tier school where he earned straight as a freshmen. Then he easily transferred to top tier. Dad sure does miss that scholarship! Seems that no one cut him slack for his slow start in high school. My suggestion is to write the best possible essays and submit to at least a dozen top schools. IF you go the transfer route, please allow your self a few months to emotionally recover. I am not kidding. You will need time to make friends and establish a new network. Running will be an asset in this regard…the nicest kids run cross country!</p>

<p>@Burgermeister‌ Thank you very much, especially for the transfer tips. It seems that might end up being the case if things don’t go according to plan. </p>

<p>My suggestion would be for you to target one school if you can, and ED II, EA II there. Contact the track coach. Contact Alumni, Contact admissions, visit if possible…let them know you’re absolutely committed.</p>

<p>Apply to the others as planned.</p>

<p>If you get into your ED school and can’t afford the offer, you can first appeal, and then if necessary get out.</p>

<p>Leaving all of your applications to regular decision is a gamble for everyone at competitive schools. Try to hedge if possible by picking a favorite now. </p>

<p>EyeVee has a good point; pursue EDII and EAII. But, at this late date, you must also apply RD to a good list of reach, good fit and safety schools as backups to the EDII and EAII. Meanwhile, note that many D3 coaches finalized their lists in October. If you have something to offer to the team then contact the coach first thing in the morning and don’t stop hustling. Get ready to hop in your car at moment’s notice. Based on my D3 athletic recruiting experience the table may appear to be set; but there are no guarantees. Some recruits will not be liked by admissions and one or two slots could open up for EDII. . </p>

<p>Do you plan on running at Swarthmore if you go there? I also run track and xc as well, and I applied ED! I talked to the coach, and he was really nice and even set up an overnight visit for me. It was a great opportunity to meet the team and get a sense of life at Swarthmore. If you didn’t try to get recruited, I think that’s fine, because I heard they take a lot of walk-ons too!</p>