So if I got B’s in 3 out of 5 of my classes and the other 2 were A’s, my GPA would be 3.4, which would help me a lot in terms of getting into UW-Madison (I am at a 3.2 right now, UNWEIGHTED). The downside is, I have 3 B’s. Does Madison care a lot about those B’s, or do they care that my GPA was in their main target range?
PS: I am in all honors and one AP, except for math.
Thanks for reading! Anything helps!
You’re going to need to improve that 3.2 UW GPA. Colleges (whether it be UW Madison or Harvard) look at both your cumulative GPA, specific grades per class, and course rigor. UW Madison’s average GPA is around 3.8 for accepted students. Several B’s will bring your GPA down, but remember, a hard earned B in a difficult class has a greater weight than an A earned in an easy class. There is no “target range” that colleges necessarily look at, but based on the statistics of accepted students, you should know what GPA to have in order to increase your chances of being accepted.
What year of high school are you in? (I am assuming you are a sophomore.)
@FutureDoctor2028 I’m a junior right now. I really want to bring my GPA up. Last semester I got B’s in math, honors physics, honors english, and honors history while I had A’s in AP French, Newspaper Staff (I’m an editor of our school’s nationally recognized newspaper) and gym. Wouldn’t Madison like that I got B’s in difficult classes though? Their website says they typically see 3.7-4.0 GPAs, but a 3.4 I think is good because I’ve got a great amount of ECs and a couple leadership positions and a 31 ACT. I also go to a very good school in an affluent neighborhood in Northern Illinois.
You honestly need to have outstanding and unique ECs to equivocate/balance out your sub-par GPA. In this competitive age of college admissions, a B is not enough, even if its an honors class. What math are you in? Please also be aware that A’s in gym and Newspaper Staff won’t matter (however, your involvement with the newspaper is a good EC.) Its great how you have an A in AP French, though; that will benefit you in the long run.
Think of it this way; yes, Madison would appreciate a B in a difficult class, but do remember that it is a semi-competitive college (with a 51% acceptance rate). Colleges want to see you take the most challenging classes as possible within the context of your school, in addition to doing well in them.
The admissions process is essentially a huge race between several students around the country. As I previously stated, you need to gain a competitive edge, whether it be through a high GPA or great ECs. If they saw an applicant (lets say with your ACT score and similar ECs) but had a higher GPA, who will they be more likely to accept?
Do your best to bring that GPA to at least a 3.5-3.6 by the end of the year, and continue to improve it your senior year. I would highly recommend taking more AP classes next year as well;you will have opportunities to take several of them, as you are taking many honors versions of the classes this year. Your ACT is excellent, and that will most likely make up for your GPA, but try to bring it up.
@FutureDoctor2028 That’s very helpful, thank you so much! And next year I am taking all AP classes, no regular or honors, so that should help. Couple more questions if you could answer them:
You’re welcome!
I would say that, given that you DO have a 3.5 UW GPA (remember, the Unweighted GPA is what colleges will place emphasis on) your chances are average. Remember, 75% of the accepted applicants at UW Madison had a GPA greater than 3.7, but the amount of AP classes you have taken (and will take) will most likely increase your chances. I’m more than confident it will increase next year.
In regards to your other question, the fact that you are taking all AP classes next year (would that be 4 or 5 APs next year?) is extremely beneficial for you, assuming that your GPA is stagnant. If it decreases, then that will be some cause for concern (unless you get a high score on the AP exam).
The fact that your profile will include several AP classes is enough to show colleges you are motivated.
P.S. I love helping people out, so don’t worry about asking me any more questions! 
@FutureDoctor2028 That will be 4 APs. Also, where did you find that 75% of UW accepted applicants had 3.7+ GPA?
Do you have any tips on bringing my grades up? I don’t know what is going on with me but as of right now, I have all Bs. I know that I can get an A in French again, but how do I bring up my grades in English/Physics/Math/History? It’s pretty difficult right now and there is nothing more important to me than getting into Madison, so it is imperative that I bring up this darn GPA! Please any tips help. Thanks again
Well, I can only give you basic tips about bringing your grade up. Everyone has their own method of studying.
When a teacher notifies you of a quiz or an assessment for instance, study for it as soon as you know its coming up. Don’t wait until the night before to open your book. Constantly take notes in class and pay attention to your teacher. I cannot stress that enough. Let me tell you, paying attention will really pay off one day. Recently, one of my teachers included a bonus question about something he said in class (it was worth 7 points!)
Also, specifically for math, its all about practicing. You will NOT get better at math unless you practice. I remember back in 8th grade, I was getting C’s and D’s before I realized that I was not putting in enough effort into it. As I started practicing my grade went up significantly. This will be the case for ANY math class you take, even the hardest ones like Calculus. Its all about knowing how to apply and solve the problem. What math are you in btw?
Same goes for Physics, but you just need to know how to apply the formula. For English, writing must be improved and built upon over time (dont know how your English class is, so I’m just taking the standpoint of a generic class). If you do plan to take AP English next year (I’m assuming you are since you’re in honors) then please please please practice those rhetorical strategies and multiple choice questions!!!
What APs are you taking next year? I can give you further advice from there.
Its all about effort my friend; if you’re willing to put in the work (which I know you are), then you will be rewarded in the end (hopefully in the form of an acceptance letter from Madison!)
@FutureDoctor2028 I’m taking AP Literature, AP AB Calc, AP Bio, AP Psych. I put so much effort in because I stay up so later, but I think I also get easily distracted. A 20 minute task can become an hour long task for me at times. It’s very frustrating and I just need to keep working for the grades that I need.
*Physics is simply impossible I can never figure that stuff out haha
Same goes for me, really. I get distracted really easily lol, and yeah, it is frustrating.
I can tell you that, for AP Bio, I suggest getting a prep book in conjunction with your textbook. Reading the book is essential to success in that class, and paying attention is as well. Its the only way you will do good in the class; there is A LOT of info to know. Unfortunately, I ended up with a horrendous teacher, so paying attention does me no good.
Get CliffsNotes AP Biology 4th Edition, and start familiarizing yourself with the format of the exam ASAP. Thats what I’m using to study for the exam in May. The exam all logic and application based, and requires very little concept based knowledge; I’m not joking.
The textbook goes WAY too in-depth, so don’t be alarmed when you see it at first, you won’t have to know every little detail. I assume your school uses the Campbell series. It is, however, imperative that you know those images (last year, there was a free response question that had an image identical to one in my textbook).
I can’t tell you anything about Calc or Psych though, sorry XD
Good luck!
Oh, and to answer your question about the data for UW Madison, I did some research online. This website seemed to be the most accurate:
@FutureDoctor2028 Thank you so so so much! I won’t bother you anymore, but you were a great help!!
I think GPA and grades are pretty interrelated. That’s better then all Fs. 
Just do the best you can and you’ll be okay.
You’re very welcome!