Very low unweighted GPA from specialty school

Applying to College
1

<p>For 11th and 12th grade my daughter has attended a state boarding school for gifted science and math kids. Every single class is extremely difficult. Because all of the students who attend would likely be #1 or #2 at their home schools, this school does not rank. </p>

<p>In 10th and 11th grades she took all honors classes and never had a grade below a 96. Now at the science and math school all she has made are Bs and Cs. She has just finished her 4th trimester and has completed 18 AP and college classes and 4 honors classes. Her weighted GPA is 4.3 but her UW is 2.7. </p>

<p>Have we screwed her over by letting her go to this selective yet difficult school? I see other people on here discussing weighted vs. unweighted but no one seems to have such a huge difference as my daughter. She is only interested in applying to small liberal arts colleges like Davidson and Haverford, etc. ECs are top notch and test scores are marginal (ACT 29.) It's really hard for me to not think about what could have been if she had stayed at home. I think that even her test scores would have been higher because she would have had time to practice and prepare for them. As it is she studies 6-8 hours a day just on her coursework.</p>

2

<p>Sounds like she’s getting a better education now. Isn’t that a good thing? I, for one, believe taking a challenging curriculum in HS despite lower grades is good. It sounds like this would be a feeder school to more select colleges. I would talk to the GC at the school about what colleges have accepted students in past years like your D.</p>

3

<p>It is too late now to regret your choice. You can’t go back in time, so worrying yourself and your daughter about “what could have been” will just add unnecessary stress to this already tremendously stressful time. Just concern yourself with going forward and presenting her in the best light to colleges.</p>

<p>As recommended above, you should definitely discuss with the GC what the implications for college are for kids with a smiliar W and UW GPA at your daughter’s school.</p>