hey guys, I’m a senior at a pretty high ranking public high school in the suburbs of Chicago. The only reason I mention this is that I’ve heard from many current and former students, parents, college counselors, etc. that my low GPA at my school - since it’s known for being more difficult than the average high school - doesn’t look as bad to colleges as if I got the same GPA at most other public high schools. After taking only honors, advanced honors, and AP classes, my GPA is something like 3.4 weighted, 2.9 unweighted.
I also have a 32 on the ACT (34 English, 29 math, 33 reading, 32 science) and I might take it again since I’ve only taken it once. After taking the SAT twice, my best scores are 740 on reading/writing and 750 on math, so a 1490 total. I have OK extracurriculars, like badminton for two years, piano my whole life, multiple different choirs in and out of school since I was 8, and I’ve had a radio show at my school radio station for two years, and this year I’ll be on the board of the radio station, as well as some other stuff here and there. I also haven’t been without a steady job or two since I was old enough to work. I’m looking to major in biology or computer science and/or do some pre-nursing program, and maybe minor in music. I’m looking at Virginia Tech, Tulane, Cal Poly in Pomona, RPI, U of I, and CU Boulder. What do you guys think my chances are at these?
Recommendations for schools that are known to be ok with low GPAs and high test scores would also be appreciated. Thanks so much in advance!!
I think that they will see the rigor, but it’s not going to negate the 2.9. There arent schools that say “we are fine with low GPA and high ACT”. Over the next year work on raising it. I think UIUC is a hard Reach with the 2.9 so any slight increase will help a lot. Also try and get your ACT to 34 but that comes second to your GPA since your ACT is already high. If you have a 34 then it says you’re ready for freshman level classes.
There is a section on the common app for “additional details”. I would recommend potentially explaining why your GPA was low even if the school was rigorous. If you happened to have an upward trend, explain how you refined your skills as a student over time. Perhaps you could elaborate about a class that you struggled with, and what you learned from that experiences. (I’m just taking shots in the dark because I am unaware of your circumstances.) Good luck!
Many of the colleges we’ve visited have discussed the high school profile that your counselor will send in with your application. This profile gives them a feel for how competitive your school is and how easy/hard it is to ear high marks. Colleges are fully aware that an B at one school is not necessarily equivalent to a B at another school. You’re class rank could also factor in here. If you are still in the top 10-15% with that GPA then that will show them that it is difficult to earn high marks at your school. But one word of caution that we heard at one college: low grades + high test scores could be a sign of a student who is lazy in school and not working up to their potential. If you feel these grades truly don’t represent your effort then In would definitely say something about that.