<p>I'm a senior at a small prep school in Wisconsin. Right now, I am in the middle of the college application process, which is somewhat overwhelming for me. Most of the colleges I plan to apply to aren't very "good," objectively speaking. I haven't had a good experience in high school, and my grades are outstandingly poor. I anticipate graduating with a GPA of around 2.0. I've taken the ACT three times. The first two times I got a 32 and a 33, respectively. Recently, I received the scores from my third test (which I took against the advice of my counselor), and was pleasantly surprised to find that I got a 36. Most of the people around me are baffled by this, and no one seems to know what effect it will have on my chances of admission at the schools to which I'm applying.</p>
<p>The college that I want to go to most is UW-Madison. It has a lot of outstanding programs, including actuarial science, which I'm thinking about studying. It's also comparatively cheap, which is attractive since my family is strapped for cash at the moment.</p>
<p>I've been on the cross country team for all of high school, I'm active in French Club, Wilderness Club, Model OAS, etc., I'm senior editor of my school's newspaper, and I volunteer at the public library. I'm confident in my ability to write a compelling essay, which I will be starting any day now...</p>
<p>Will Madison admit me? I've been told I'm delusional to apply with my GPA. Then again, my ACT score makes me something of an outlier. Only 22 seniors in Wisconsin this year got 36s on their ACTs. I need some guidance here... what's your opinion?</p>
<p>Does anyone have any advice? I could really use it. I’ve never heard of anyone who’s been in my position and I don’t know how colleges will look on a case like mine.</p>
<p>what do you mean what’s your opinion? I don’t know where you can get in with a 2.0/36. Good luck! I’m aiming for my 36 in two weeks! Did you get a perfect 36 or did you miss questions?How did you manage to get a 2.0? I have never heard of someone getting a 2.0 with a 36. I think you have a decent shot, but it’s such a weird situation that no one can chance you accurately.</p>
<p>Even with a perfect ACT score, you have an uphill battle at UW-Madison because of your GPA. You will be competing against other applicants who have GPA’s in the mid to high 3’s. Good luck, however!</p>
<p>I mean, do you think I can get in? Good luck with your December test. I think I probably got one math and one English question wrong.</p>
<p>How did I get a 2.0? Easily. I was homeschooled through most of middle school, which was great, but the super-competitive school I’m in now has never made much sense to me. I am also clinically depressed, which doesn’t help.</p>
<p>If you’ve never heard of anyone with a 2.0/36, you’re like everyone else I’ve talked to about this. Can anyone speculate about what colleges will make of me?</p>
<p>This has actually happened a couple times in my school which is in a urban neighborhood. From my town it’s mostly been someone with a bad freshman and/or sophomore year then improving but never able to recover their gpa. The college usually saw the good test scores and improvements in grades and cut them a little slack</p>
<p>jshain, I’m familiar with the profile of the average student admitted to Madison, and clearly I was not cast in that mold. I guess my real question is, to what extent can superlative test scores make up for an abysmal GPA?</p>
<p>Thanks mario. And no, my GPA would be slightly higher weighted. I took two APs, Euro and Music Theory, my sophomore year. I got a four on the Euro exam despite having gotten something like a C in the class. Also, I am taking AP English Lit this year.</p>
<p>I think you have a solid chance. Though UW-Madison is a selective school your 36 ACT puts you in an elite pool of applicants to any university. You have also taken AP classes and scored well on the exam. Good luck to you!</p>
<p>to what extent can superlative test scores make up for an abysmal GPA? </p>
<p>I think superlative test scores can make up for a lower GPA to some extent but, unfortunately, I think you’ve dug yourself too deep a hole. Let us know the outcome, because we’re pulling for you.</p>
<p>Good. That helps a bit. Try to do well first semester. I think your odds then, with any school, would improve considerably. </p>
<p>Have you considered liberal arts colleges? They are expensive, sure, but there’s always merit aid and loans and financial aid if you qualify. They tend to take a more hollistic approach to admissions, too. </p>
<p>Most importantly, though, you would receive far more attention, and consequently, your odds of academic success would be higher.</p>
<p>I’m applying to Knox and Lawrence, but Madison is my first choice. I probably won’t be able to attend a liberal arts school without some serious financial aid. And I get plenty of attention at my current school, but if anything, I find it stifling. I wish Madison’s admissions process was more holistic, because I really do think I have some redeeming features, and I think I would succeed at Madison. Does Madison ever interview applicants? I’m very good at impressing interviewers–the representative from Knox practically wanted to admit me on the spot.</p>
<p>Knox is an excellent school and although I understand your preference for Madison, you might want to use your four years as an undergraduate to level set your academic record. Knox is a warm close-knit college community and if you do suffer from clinical depression it might be a good idea to be in a school where you are able to easily develop many close relationships with classmates and teachers. Plus, if you really do want to be at Madison, Knox would prepare you well for that. They have one of the top records for grad school admission.</p>
<p>The bottom line is no, a great score doesn’t make up for a 2.0. It could balance a 3.5 at a school where the average is a 3.8, but a 2.0 from a student who is clearly very bright raises serious concerns at any college.</p>
<p>A school like Knox may well take you to have a 36 in their ranks, but it would be unlikely to give the aid you need, and the peer group there may not be the one to challenge you.</p>
<p>If you were my kid first I’d explore with you what really happened to yield a 2.0. Then I’d address it.</p>
<p>I’d encourage you to enroll at a CC when you feel prepared to get good grades. With 2 years of good grades and the 36 you will be able to transfer to excellent schools that meet financial need.</p>