Low gpa

I really slacked off in high school, now that I’m a senior things are starting to finally click. I ended up with a 2.83 unweighted gpa and a 3.1 weighted. I want to apply to schools in california but I don’t think I have a chance. I plan on taking the SAT and ACT. What would I have to score to not get my application thrown in the trash? Also, I’m taking early departure with only 4 classes! How high would only 4 classes raise my gpa by the end of the first semester?

Which schools are you interested in applying? What can you and your family afford? Senior grades may or may not be used for admission purposes, since it depends upon which schools you are applying. California Cal States and UC’s, only use 10-11th grades for GPA calculation and 9-11th grades for admission purposes. Private schools will consider Mid-year Senior grades however.

Contrary to impressions you may develop reading these boards - a 3.1 is a pretty good GPA - you are basically a B+ student. Nothing to be ashamed of at all.

This question is easiest to answer for CSUs. UCs and most privates use a ‘holistic’ evaluation. Since they include factors other than GPA and test scores, it is difficult to say you need X on the SAT. Unless you’ve got some other hook, (an Olympic medal perhaps) A 3.1 will make UC admission an uphill climb, (it is important to note, the UC system is designed to serve the to 5%-9% of CA HS grads - there little shame in not qualifying - 90%+ of your peers don’t either) Privates are also unlikely to offer you much merit money.

For CSU, they use an Eligibility Index to rank applicants. They literally stack applications in-order by index and accept down the stack until the seats are full. A few campuses vary the formula for science and engineering majors but, for most majors at most campuses they use this one:
https://secure.csumentor.edu/planning/high_school/elig_index_calculator.asp

note, they use your 10-11 grades from academic courses only, drop +/- and cap your AP bonus points.

Based on the linked formula, a 3.1 GPA and 1300/1600 SAT yields an index of 3780
1200= 3680
1100=3580
1000=3480.

At some schools like San Jose and CalPoly Pomona, the thresholds vary widely by major.
Here are a few benchmarks you can hang your hat on…
SDSU ia looking for a 4100
Long Beach and Fullerton target 3850
Chico loolks for 3700
Northridge 3600
Sonoma 3300
San Marcos 3300
Sacramento 3100

non-impacted schools like Channel Islands and San Bernardino will let you in with a 2900. Most CSUs also accept ‘local’ applicants with a 2900 Index

As you can see, there are several good schools within reach.

How well do you need to do on the SAT?

Good luck