<p>I want to leave state. My GPA isn't good, but im smart. I have a pretty good resume that im always working on making up for my low GPA. I've gotten my act together recently and im bringing my grades up. I havnt taken the ACT or SAT yet because im a sophomore. I want to go somewhere like Northwestern. Do i have a shot?</p>
<p>No .</p>
<p>Possibly, but we have no way of knowing. Points:</p>
<p>-Schools like Northwestern are very selective; even all of the qualified applicants don’t get in.
-When you say your GPA isn’t good, what do you mean? “Good” has been somewhat skewed in the mind of elite high school students. If you mean that it is below a 3.0, your chances of admission to places like Northwestern are slim. If it’s in the 3.0-3.5 range you have better chances, but the rest of your application should be stellar to make up for it.
-You’re only a sophomore, you have time to bring your GPA up, and sharp uptrend in your last two years can overcome a low overall GPA.
-Your resume won’t really make much of a difference, but if by resume you mean ECs, then continue to work on making those great.</p>
<p>Basically, with the very miniscule amount of information you gave us here we have no way of predicting whether or not you have a shot. Even if you laid out all of your stats, we have no way of knowing. The best thing you can do is work hard through junior year and apply in your senior year and see what happens.</p>