<p>My gpa is relatively low..a 2.95 unweighted and 3.4 weighted
my ACT score is 27 but I'm taking it again before the year ends
but I'm 4 year class president and I have 3 club officer positions
I have other extras such as placing in national chess and state fbla competitions and 4 year varsity tennis/captain
My letter of recs will be amazing since my teachers love me and I'm working really hard to make an amazing essay for colleges to read
what do you think my chances are to get into a prestigious college?</p>
<p>What do you consider prestigious? What schools are on your list?</p>
<p>Your ECs don’t compensate for your GPA and test scores. people over-estimate ECs. All they might do is give a bump to two equal applicants, they don’t make up for good-but-not-high stats. </p>
<p>Many top schools are mostly only accepting students with a 3.75 or higher GPA unless there is some hook…athlete, talent, etc. </p>
<p>Much will depend on how much your family will pay per year. Have you asked them? If not, do so. That will likely determine where you should apply and what can be afforded.</p>
<p>Are you a senior? If so, you still appear to lack motivation. I am not one of the many people on CC who will counsel you to attend a local community college, if that isn’t what you want. In many states, your stats can get you into the public flagship, and they are good enough for most satellite and lower-tier public colleges. If you are a junior, you have more time, but - if you are a senior - it is awfully late to begin thinking about college. Give us a little more to work with, please. If your parents are willing and able to pay whatever it takes, then there are loads of colleges out there, and your geographic preferences or academic interests (if you have any) will determine where to apply. If you aren’t sure of academic interests, then what other activities do you like (e.g. skiing, hiking, beaches, big-time sports, etc.)? The reason I am not exhorting you to attend a community college is that you might not be the sort of student who will turn around and get straight-As, in order to transfer into an elite four-year college. You are likelier to coast by with the sort of grades you have already, and you might as well do that at a four-year school. In answer to your initial question: No, your stats will not get you into a “prestigious” college, but they can get you into a college where you can get as good an education if you’re sufficiently motivated. </p>
<p>Unless you are a recruited athlete, your parents built a building at a school, or something along those lines it is unlikely that you will get into a college that doesn’t match your stats even if you have great ECs, recommendations, and a strong essay. That said, you should qualify for a group of schools where you will be able to get a solid education and a good college experience. </p>
<p>If, by “prestigious college(s),” you mean the top perhaps twenty national research universities and the top twenty LACs (plus the service academies), I’m afraid your chances are quite poor. Unfortunately, these institutions appropriately emphasize the vital metrics for undergraduate academic success; GPA and standardized test results head that list. The only pragmatic opportunity you might have is a significant “hook” at one or more of these prestigious institutions (e.g., recruited athlete, legacy and MAJOR donor, child of a national- or international-level "heavy hitter).</p>
<p>Grades and test scores matter. These level the playing field for thousands of applicants. Your scores can probably get you into your state schools.</p>
<p>As others have said, with your scores a “prestigious” college is unlikely, however, you might be a good match for a state school or less competitive private; as long as it’s not a shady for-profit institute, you can end up somewhere halfway decent. “Prestigious” can be in the eye of the beholder, depending on where you live and what you want to study. That said, are you good enough at tennis to be recruited? If so, look for schools (I’d say schools where your scores are right in their range) with good tennis teams and see if your tennis ability gives you an edge. </p>