<p>Hello, I'm a senior at a public high school with a 2.4 unweighted/ 2.6 weighted GPA on the 4.0 scale. I realize how unlikely it is for me to get into anything resembling a good college, but I figured asking for predictions/advice here couldn't hurt.
Now, despite my abysmal GPA, I do have a few thing going for me:</p>
<p>-2360 SAT (800CR, 800M, 760W w/ 7/12)
-National Merit semifinalist
-8 APs with 4s or 5s
-The ability to get good recommendation letters
-Likely ability to write a very good essay
-DIII-worthy fencer
-Training in aerobatic flight
-Founded two clubs, captain one, (fencing club) participate in four since freshman year
-~200 service hours</p>
<p>I am aware of the fact that these are largely an afterthought to my GPA/transcript, but I was hoping you all might be able to inform me as to my college options. Thanks. </p>
<p>Where is your location? I think that GPA is going to be a deal breaker despite your excellent SAT and ECs. Your best bet might be going to small, local college with the intention of transferring after a year or two after focusing on improving your GPA. Good Luck!</p>
<p>Try Northeastern, they LOVE national merit finalists. Just trust me on this one. Give them an excuse as to why your GPA was so low and there is a likely chance that you will be admitted. It is definitely worth an application! :-)</p>
<p>Nobody bash my head in for this but I think you have as good a shot at UMaryland as their average applicant. If worse comes to worse, you can always transfer to there after one year but damn, they have a phenomenal criminal justice program. Go Terps!!!</p>
<p>Here’s the thing, schools tend to love national merit finalists even to the point that they might overlook GPA. I know it sounds nuts but that is how important an award that is to them, same thing with Northeastern surprisingly. </p>
<p>@PSC2IVY I highly doubt I could be a finalist - doing so would require a very strong academic record, something I am obviously not in possession of.</p>
<p>@paul2752 I have been diagnosed with a wide range of learning disabilities (Dysgraphia, executive functioning/processing speed issues, ADHD) by a neuropsych, and have an IEP (Individualized education plan) through my school. While these might provide some sort of excuse, I overwhelmingly prefer that they remain unmentioned in the course of college application. I was eligible for extra time on the SAT but declined; I want my accomplishments to be as viable as anyone else’s.</p>
<p>your knowledge and intelligence are not reflected in your test scores/grades if you don’t take on the accomodation you’re entitled to.
I get that it’s a point of pride that you got such AMAZING scores, top 99.5+% in the country, without accomodation.
Did you adopt the same attitude in school by any chance?
Because this would explain your grades indeed.
How would you feel if a blind student refused accomodation out of a misplaced sense of pride? You’d think, well that’s stupid, how is he going to show what he’s capable of if he doesn’t get the proper accomodation for blindness, his results will not mean anything…</p>
<p>In addition, it’s your choice if it’s mentioned, but mentioning the IEP or not can mean the difference between admission and rejection. Colleges need to know that you had obstacles to overcome (they don’t need to know which ones). In addition, it’d be in your best interest to look for colleges that provide good services for your disabilities.
Don’t be immature about this. It’s hard enough having Dysgraphia or ADHD, without making it worse on purpose… :s</p>
<p>@MYOS1634 I was not diagnosed until the end of my sophomore year (due to the fact that I didn’t have too much trouble with simple work) and didn’t get any help from my school until the end of my junior. With some new organizational help, I have been doing far better this year.
Do you think colleges might (unofficially, of course) discriminate against me should I mention my issues?</p>
<p>no, on the contrary, it’d be seen as a positive that you managed to find ways to overcome a difficult and frustrating situation AND also took care of the problem by finding what was the matter rather than putting your head in the sand. They’d have an explanation for your grades which would mitigate the impact of your GPA.</p>
<p>Do check what accomodation and support system are in place at all colleges you’re considering, though.</p>
<p>If you can demonstrate that you have turned around (perhaps through a Guidance counselor’s letter) then they will not discriminate against you. Nonetheless, if you don’t mention any reasons for having such a subpar GPA, they can only look at your GPA and great test score and label you a slacker or lazer - something colleges don’t want to have!</p>