<p>Title says it all. I'm in a precarious situation right now. I'm done with my Junior year and ended up with a 3.5 (3 Bs). My lowest gpa since Freshmen year. My accumulative is now 3.667 UW for Privates, and 3.63 UW for UCs. Competitive school, rigorous schedule. so on so forth.
However, I have "stellar" ECs and decent SAT (2200) and SAT 2s (BIo Chem Math all 760 lol). ECs include (I'm not going to go into full detail due to privacy issues): 2nd Principle Oboist at one of the nation's best youth symphony, featured in one of the most popular magazine for single-handedly hosting a nation wide event/competition sponsored by some large companies like Adobe. Started a school wide business 3D printing biodegradable items. Leadership position in 3 clubs, Stanford's ALC HS board member, and other good "stuff".
I'm not trying to brag, but where can one's ECs become "enough" in order to lessen the blow of a poor GPA. Can it ever be enough? I realize that it's not the quantity of the ECs that one does that counts, but rather the quality. But my question still remains. Will ECs ever be as important as GPA to an administrator, or will it be neglected due to poor grades?
As you can probably tell, I'm very anxious right now and any response would be appreciated. Thanks!
(I also realize that privates look more at ECs compared to UCs, so that's where my goals are set, namely Vandy and CMU, but I'm not sure how much that says, considering UCs pretty much only look at grades) </p>
<p>To override a “low” GPA, your extracurricular would have to be something that they really want, such as being a recruitable athlete in a sport that they value.</p>
<p>However, your GPA is only “low” for the most selective schools; there are plenty of schools where your GPA will get you admitted, sometimes with a large scholarship as well.
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1348012-automatic-full-tuition-full-ride-scholarships-p20.html”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1348012-automatic-full-tuition-full-ride-scholarships-p20.html</a></p>
<p>Unfortunately I think GPA is one of the most heavily weighed factors in admissions and a low GPA is much harder to “override” than a low SAT score or such. The most you can do right not imo is just write the best essays possible and hope for the best, because really, what more can you do with apps ~6 months away?</p>
<p>@ucbalumnus yeah, I’m only considering top 50 schools. So…are my ECs essentially worthless? Hopefully they need an oboist haha</p>
<p>The super-selective schools generally want top-end grades/rank in the most demanding course selections, top-end test scores, and a high level of achievement, award, or recognition in an extracurricular. You generally need all of these to be admitted, unless you have a “hook”.</p>
<p>Why are you only considering top 50 schools? That’s a terrible idea seeing that with your GPA, you probably won’t get into a school ranked higher than 25. There are over 3,000 colleges in the country. Do you not realize how unreasonable that is? You won’t have any safety schools if you do that. Prestige isn’t everything </p>
<p>UCs are holistic. A good essay can go a long way. And your EC sound great. That said, you should be sure that some of your match schools are appropriate for your profile.</p>
<p>For schools other than the UCs, your grades aren’t that far off - ideally you’ll want to be above a 3.7 UW by the time you apply, so get cracking 1st semester senior year, and you’ll have that come RD deadline. Even for the UCs you should get in something. Stop whining and deal with what you’ve got - it’s not like you’ve got a 2.5. Strong 1st semester combined with your test score and ECs and some place in the Top 50 will take you if you target wisely.</p>
<p>For all but about 15 schools in the “top 50” you are a very competitive applicant. </p>
<p>No one can really give you a concrete answer to this. However I do know from secondhand experience that outstanding ECs (and yes yours qualify as outstanding) can overcome a low GPA. The student I know was a math genius, but didn’t care enough about school to keep up his grades. He had a lower GPA than you’d expect from someone with his level of intelligence --now that i think about it his GPA was probably around your- and was rejected from quite a few schools that he might’ve gotten into had he worked for it. However he was accepted at his dream school primarily -from what i could tell- due to his ECs in math. Something like this could happen to you, if you’re lucky. However I would recommend applying to a few schools outside the top 50 as safeties -unless you’re a California resident who would prefer to TAG or otherwise transfer to a UC after community college. </p>
<p>You’re honestly be fine. Have you taken the most rigorous course load offered at your school? If so, then don’t sweat it about the GPA, although it is always good to raise it. I agree with the others that “just” considering top 50 schools simply because it is a top 50 school is a terrible idea, as a good range of reaches, matches, and safeties should be a part of any student’s list, usually including the state flagship.</p>
<p>However, I’d like to let you know that my GPA was nothing amazing and around the 3.5 range that you mentioned. My SAT and SAT II’s were nearly identical as well. In my ECs and essays though, I really took that chance to distinguish myself. I got involved in organizations that I was really passionate about, taking on leadership positions in many of them. And my interest in them really showed in my application and writing. I’d have to say your ECs are unique and it seems you’re not just doing things for the sake of doing things.</p>
<p>So what I’m saying is don’t think you’re doomed because of that lower GPA. I got into some great schools, and I’m sure you will too. Just apply to a good range of schools and you will be fine. If there was one thing I would change about my application process, it would be that. Most schools use holistic admissions, which I am very thankful for. Look into some other schools that would also be a good “fit” and then apply some of the schools you mentioned.</p>
<p>Thank you for all the help guys! My junior year just ended today and I got wrecked. I had hope that some of my teachers would round up from a 89.5. Turns out not. I’m now stuck with 5 89s and only 1 A. My accumulative is a 3.61. If I take all of your advice and bring up my SAT and senior year grades (1st semester) and write a good essay, I might still have hope. Thanks again everyone! </p>