pacers7ind

I have a 3.4 unweighted and a 3.6 weighted

My SAT score is a 2200

Subjects
history: 720
Math 2 : 780
Spanish w/listening : 700

EC are good

AP scores
APUSH : 5
CAL AB : 4

Will my GPA hurt my admissions to Cornell university ?

M's Mom

Google the Common Data Set for Cornell and see where you fall.

Most schools count grades more heavily than test scores because they are a better reflection of your academic potential. That said, if your GPA is low because of a bad freshman year, or one semester you crashed for identifiable personal reasons, etc...that doesn't hurt you as much as a general 3.4 or, worse, a downward trend. It also depends on whether you've taken the toughest classes available or the 3.4 was in 'on level' (non-honors or AP or IB) courses.

Of course there are many other factors here besides grades. If you are a URM, have national level awards in any field, have unusual achievements, etc...your grades may not be as much a factor.

hmom5

It would depend on what the GPA means at your school. If it still leaves you near top of class, minimum top 10% (officially or not), you'd still be in the game at scome of Cornell's schools

keylyme

Right....some of the more rigorous schools have pretty low gpa's across the board. Colleges are aware of this.

pacers7ind

I'm ranked 35/644 ... top 10%

monstor344

^ pacers7ind, do you go to a magnet/prep school that sends lots of kids to the Ivies/other top schools every year?

If so then, along with your top 10% rank, you don't look too bad from an admissions standpoint.

pacers7ind

. I go to a school where a small percentage goes to college
our average SAT score is 1250 :/
our average ACT is a 12
a public HS in los angeles
wouldn't that make me look good compared to my school ?

shuaishuaishuai

^ no that's bad. It shows that your school is not competitive therefore there's no reason for such a low GPA.

pacers7ind

I go to a really bad school.
We lack resources and counselors
No one ever encourages us to do our best.
We are always uninformed about everything and anything


would it help if I explain this in my Personal statements ?

PEQXC2012

Here's a hypothetical:

-2200 SAT
-3.4 GPA w/upward trend
-Went to state/national championships in track
-6 aps, some self studied
-Few clubs
-semi-competitive high school (Probably at least 1 to an ivy a year)


What would the chances be at a school like USC, out of state...


That's what I am hoping to be, I had a really bad 8th grade year (I was in high school class :facepalm, freshman year, and beginning of sophomore but been doing amazing since. I am going to nationals in track this winter (3/4 people from our relay returned from last year, I am the next guy by a long shot), and HOPE to go to states by senior year (yes it's easier to go to nationals than states, since states is only the best 2 relays, when we have about 4 or so of the top 50 relays teams in the state in one small county).

pacers7ind

^ My best friends brother had a 2.2 GPA and a 1050/1600 SAT score

I have no clue how he got into USC but he got in with a gpa that low

His brother would have his personal statement constantly checked by many people and it came out amazing

this was in 2004 or 2002 i think

bluebayou

peq:

USC loves high test scores, so you have a good shot. But they might only offer you Spring admission. (btw: USC is private, so OOS makes no differernce.)

kcmdonahue

I don't know if my GPA and scores line up. I have a 2300, a 4.573 W and ~3.7 UW (maybe? not sure) my grades are mostly A's with 3 B's sophomore year (bad, i know), and 2 junior year. That being said, I'm still ranked 12/561 - top 2%. Do my grades look bad in comparison?

pacers7ind

oh yes they look very bad