Will low GPA keep me out of top schools?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi, I am a Caucasian Male from Wisconsin. I have a good number of safety schools, but my dream really is to go to a top notch school. Here are a few I am considering:</p>

<p>WashU
Notre Dame
Boston College
UMich
Cornell
Holy Cross</p>

<p>I go to by far the highest ranked private high school in my state. The average ACT is consistently around 27 and it has produced a number of local, state, and national leaders (including the mayor and police chief). It does not offer a ton of AP classes, but all of its classes are very challenging. That being said, now about me.</p>

<p>I believe I am an extremely motivated person who has a passion for helping the world in whatever way I can, and I have the drive to do it. That being said, I went through a unique situation my freshman year that hindered my academic progress. I'm not trying to make excuses but it is something I believe affected me. Message me to discuss further. My school does not weight GPAs, but my current UW is 3.21. My test scores are:</p>

<p>SAT: 2070 (640 CR, 710 M, 720 W)</p>

<p>ACT: 30
English: 34
Math:29 (don't know how I did this bad. I got a 36 on one practice and was consistently in at least the low-mid-30s on other practice tests. Will take again in September)
Reading:24 (always been a weaker area, but this was bad, I know I can do much better)
Science: 33</p>

<p>ECs:
~60 hours of Community Service (planning on doing a lot more this summer and into senior year. My school also has a mandatory program for seniors where they are off for two weeks and work as full time volunteers with the disadvantaged in the Milwaukee area)
-applying to be a retreat leader at both my parish and school (Catholic school)
-4 year two-sport athlete (Track and Cross Country. Hopefully varsity this year! Very competitive team.)
-3 year member of pro-life club
-2 year member of student government (nothing special, just an officer)
-played trombone in school Jazz band freshman year
-working on starting a retreat program at my parish for 9-10 graders (currently only one for 11th graders)
-2 year member of school Ministry Leadership Team</p>

<p>My recs should be very good. My Cross Country coach, who is very experienced and notably hard-nosed with his athletes has complimented me on my attitude multiple times. I also have some other teachers who like me. I plan on writing a very good, very unique essay as well.</p>

<p>This all being said, even if I can get my ACT (at least SuperScore) up to the 33-34 range, will my 3.21 GPA still be a killer? By the way, this is my senior course load:</p>

<p>AP English Lit
AP Euro
Honors Latin 4
Advanced Pre-Calculus
Theology-both semesters
Accelerated Physics</p>

<p>Thanks and any thoughts and/or advice is greatly appreciated! Would be happy to chance back as well!</p>

2

<p>Bump. Please let me know!</p>

3

<p>Your cross country coach also teaches you in an academic subject, right? Otherwise he shouldn’t be writing a recco for you. Or are you recruitable?</p>

<p>I’m sure you know that improving grades is at least taken into consideration.</p>

<p>It’s good that you have your safeties set up. So you can take some flyers. Are you at least mid-range for the schools on your list? What does your GC think?</p>

<p>Sorry, you will have to wait for a high schooler to give you chances.</p>

4

<p>Yes, my cross coach is also an English teacher at my school whom I’ve had for a class. I am not very recruitable except for maybe some D3 schools, and if I improve I might be able to walk-on higher, but I go back and forth on whether I even want to do that.</p>

<p>As far as what range I’m in. My GPA is mid-upper range and test scores are upper level for all of my safeties. If I can superscore around 32-34, that would put me right in the mix as far as test scores go for most of the top notch schools I’m looking at. I believe I have at least decent ECs, but my worry is that my GPA is just too low, even if I get a >3.9 this year it won’t change much. :(</p>

5

<p>If it’s just low because of freshman year I really, really wouldn’t sweat it. They say over and over again, if freshman year is a bust and you do better after that, that’s fine. Just let them know what happened. If I were you I would be sure to show interest, stay in contact with the schools, and interview wherever you can so they know you and your situation.</p>

<p>Edited: I looked over your list again. The reach schools are going to be reaches for anyone, so your chances there are weak, like anyone’s, but BC and Holy Cross should be doable. Make them know who you are.</p>

6

<p>At least UMich put a lot of weight on GPA. Your SAT is around the average for UMich admission while ACT is below average. Considering also the ~35% acceptance rate, it may be a low reach for you.</p>

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<p>Ok, my sophomore year was actually slightly worse than freshman year GPA wise. I don’t know what happened, but I know I am capable of much better. I had a 3.32 my junior year. I know it’s easy to say now, but I really believe I can get at least around a 3.8 this year, at a very tough school. I realize it’ll be a stretch anyway, I was just wondering if I had any chance. I have big dreams for my life and am very motivated. Worst case though I know I will be happy at any of my safeties as well.</p>

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<p>Bump just to see if I can get any more thoughts. Thanks to those who already posted though!</p>

9

<p>Just straight with my stats and a 33-34 ACT, do I have any shot (ie. Is it worth applying?) to ND and WashU? Those are really my top 2. I know they are reaches for anyone, but do I have anywhere close to a realistic chance?</p>

10

<p>I’m sorry, but no, they are not realistic for you. And do you even want to be someplace where the student body is that competitive? You would have to struggle to keep up. Look for schools a bit lower down in the rankings, that have the qualities you like in those schools. </p>

<p>There is no harm in applying to super-reaches, but just go in knowing it’s a very slim chance.</p>

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<p>Also, remember that it doesn’t matter as much where you go as what you do there!</p>

12

<p>Ok, sorry to reawaken an old thread, but would getting a 4.0 or higher first semester of senior year do anything? Or should I just forget about these schools?</p>