So as a junior in high school I need to become serious about college. I am hoping to enter some of the prestigious private colleges like Harvard, Stanford or some great public schools like UVA. I am hoping to enter investment banking. My current stats are:
GPA: 3.6
Weighted GPA: 5.4
ACT: 30
Extracurriculars:
Lacrosse, Soccer, Mock Trial, Flag Football, Basketball, Weightlifting, Student Government (class president), and a couple other things on the side.
What would my chances be to get into these types of schools? Also, is dual enrolling impressive to schools or do they look at it as taking any other class. Thank you in advance and if you are looking for any additional information just let me know and I will include it.
With that GPA and ACT, you are not on pace for schools like Harvard and Stanford, but you could be for UVA. Try retaking the ACT and getting it to at least a 33 if you want to have a shot at Harvard or Stanford. But know that you can still be an investment banker even without going to Harvard or Stanford.
Agreed with above ^ Raise your UW GPA and ACT if you’re looking to get into HYPS. Dual enrollment looks good if you are taking advanced classes - 100/200 level classes probably don’t add much to your chances. Good luck!
Agreed with both of the 2 above posters! You have no need of going to Harvard to be an investment banker, and would get tons of great benefits from going to a public school like UVA (cheaper, less competitive atmosphere, more fun, still great academics, good sports, etc.) Other good public schools you should look at include University of Wisconsin, University of Washington, UNC Chapel Hill, UT Austin, Purdue, or University of Illinois.
Keep your GPA up, retake the ACT and maybe still apply to Harvard/Stanford as reaches, but know that you have a great shot at the nation’s top public schools and could just as well be very happy there.
With a 3.6 GPA as a junior, however; you are not going to be able to compete to get into Harvard or Stanford, and your 30 on the ACT while a decent score against all college-bound students is not good at all for Harvard or Stanford. Need a 31 to get to the 25% line at Stanford and a 32 to get to 25% at Harvard. And, those who get in with those lower ACT scores typically have high GPAs or some major hook – recruited athlete, etc. You should be steered in the right direction, and Ivy League schools and Stanford are not it for you. Sorry.
The average GPA for enrolled students at Ohio State is 3.6. So, that’s the level of college for which you would be a match.
yeah the reason my gpa got so low was because I have only taken 3000 courses and one 4000. Its not easy stuff especially when your calc 3 teacher forgets the pythagorean theorem. What public schools should I look into that are great for Investment Banking? Is Florida State or University of Florida good options since I would be classified as in state? I know that Harvard and Ivy Leagues are crazy reaches but I just wanted to be sure so I wont waste my time applying for them.
