<p>I'm a rising senior with a 2.9 gpa. I'm in a bunch of extra curricular's, speak several languages and I am a minority. I've taken two honors classes, two AP classes and will have taken 5 AP's by the time I graduate. How high would my ACT/SAT score have to be to being to make up for my low gpa? (Also I want to get into a state school in either Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, or Wisconsin.) My current ACT score is a 26. I'm retaking the ACT and a SAT this fall. </p>
<p>It varies across the schools. Look up the Common Data Set for each. Most colleges value your GPA and course rigor more than your scores. Can you afford to pay for those schools out of state costs? The Dakota schools do tend to be less expensive than other state schools.</p>
<p>You’ll have a shot at some of those state flagships with a 26 ACT or better, but for purposes of the best chances and the lowest tuition, you’re best shot is going to be your home state.</p>
<p>You have a 2.9 GPA and want to take MORE AP classes? Umm… Maybe that’s not the best idea. I’m not trying to be rude. My freshman year I was ranked 125 and GC thinks I can land in top 20 by graduation. I’m currently late 20s/ early 30s. I always thought if I took all the AP classes I would look smarter and have bragging rights, but I’ve realized that it’s better to go into things you know you will do great in. I was going to take AP Biology, Calculus, Stats, Language, Literature, Human Geography, and Art History my senior year. But realized what a terrible mistake that would’ve been and now only plan on taking Language, Literature, Stats, and Human Geography. Although schedule might land me in Biology. Sorry drifted off from the question. Yes. I do believe a high test score will shine a light on you. And as long as your classes get harder and your grades get better you’ll look okay to colleges. They like seeing improvement! 
Good luck!</p>
<p>Michigan and Wisconsin are going to be the toughest for you. Both schools are very competitve and 2.9 will be a huge stumbling block for you. You do have a pretty good chance at the other schools mentioned</p>
<p>no, but they will help. For some of these schools a 2.9 is acceptable given the rest of your stats, but it will hurt your competitiveness a great deal.</p>
<p>Do you think if I explain in my college apps that my 2.9 gpa has to do with my ADD and Exam prep it would improve my chances? All my quarter grades are around the 3.4/3.5 area but my final exams always bring me down to a 2.9. </p>
<p>Also I have always gotten at least an A- my AP/honors classes. Its my math and physic classes that have brought me down. However I have improved and brought certain grades up. </p>
<p>Physics went from a C to a C+
Math went from a C to a B-
APUS went from an B+ to an A-
French went from an B to a B+ </p>