My GPA is horrible, but my tests are great.

zaqwsx170 · 09-23-2009, 03:14 PM

My unweighted GPA is a 3.177 and weighted it's a 3.7.

I've taken Ap Euro, Ap USH, AP CA 3, AP Chem, Ap Calc AB.

I took Calc II over the summer.

I am currently taking AP Physics, AP Stat, AP Bio, AP Ca and Calculus III.

SAT: 2280, 800 writing, 740 math, 740 reading
ACT: 34 composite

I am also a national merit semifinalist.

I am Indian (asia).

Any chances for Wash U?

acolombianp28 · 09-23-2009, 03:32 PM

Unless your school district is ridiculously rigorous, schools see high standardized test scores + low gpa as a sign of slacking. Get that gpa up somehow.

nafter · 09-23-2009, 08:18 PM

you're fine.

silverturtle · 09-23-2009, 09:51 PM

You probably won't get in with that UW GPA.

acolombianp28 · 09-23-2009, 10:06 PM

Not really that fine, you need something outstanding to get in with that GPA

limabeans · 09-23-2009, 10:35 PM

I'm guessing they'll look more closely at your transcript. Did you get lots of Bs, or did you get Cs? This'll make a difference, because schools weight differently. They could think you were over-prescribed to be taking APs that you couldn't manage. What were your AP scores? This information will be much more telling than your gpa or even your SATs.

zaqwsx170 · 09-23-2009, 11:48 PM

It wasn't that I was over-tasked, it was that I got As on all the tests and didn't turn in homework and stuff.

Got 4's on everything, 5 on AP CALC.

palmalk · 09-24-2009, 10:56 AM

See acolumbianp28's first (and clearly valid in this case) point.

limabeans · 09-27-2009, 03:40 PM

Here you have good scores in ACT, SATs, and APs. Yet your gpa is so very low. Clearly this will raise a red flag that you should explain somehow. These days, schools want to see some consistency and your grades in school will raise some doubts until you quell them. Speak to an admissions person (at least at one school on your list) to gauge their reaction. Your teacher recs should also explain some as well.

WCASParent · 09-28-2009, 11:45 AM

I agree that that sort of GPA with those test scores are the indicia of a less-than-diligent student. That will be hard to get past.
How to try? If, by chance, you did much better junior year (and in the beginning of senior year), then you would have to explain that you had some growing up to do, because your maturity and earnestness as a student lagged well behind your native abilities. You might even have been bored; if that's the case, say so and tell them that you are looking forward to the challenges of college.
Still, it is an uphill climb. With all the good choices to be made between clearly diligent and deserving students, if I were on the AdCom I might be hesitant to accept someone with your record.

swimcatsmom · 09-28-2009, 11:56 AM

Your GPA may also hurt you for making national merit finalist (which is what the schools care about more than semi finalist). My daughter had a friend who did not make finalist because of her GPA.

chuckhouse1 · 09-29-2009, 11:11 PM

I have a question. I really want to go to Washington University in St. Louis, my gpa is great but test scores r ok.
GPA- wtd 4.55, unwtd 3.97
varsity football 2 yrs (an average of 20 hrs a week year round)
taken hardest classes avaliable,
AP scores 4bio, 4us his, 4 eng 11
sat II 710 bio, 750 us his
ACT 28, im going to retake it
im not really a good standardized test taker unless it is a certain subject
SAT- 1800, 750 math, 550 eng, 500 verbal
service, many clubs, rugby, etc

what are my chances with a 28 act and what are they if i get a 30?
what are some other top colleges that i could get into? thanks

WCASParent · 10-01-2009, 03:20 PM

I don't like your chances with a 28 ACT. THey would obviously be much better with a 30but at Wash U even a 30 is pretty unremarkable. As you know, your SAT English score is also poor for the more competitive schools.
Not sure what you mean by "top colleges," but I think these scores could prove harmful at any school that is ranked comparably to Wash U.
Have you considered places like U of Wisconsin or Indiana, where those scores might not be too harmful given your other credentials?

heygirlhey! · 10-13-2009, 08:24 PM

WashU cares a lot more about tests scores than other schools. I got in RD with a 2210 (32 ACT) despite not being in the top 10% of my large public high school. My extracurrics sucked too. I had a similar class schedule, except less difficult, so I think that despite your GPA, you'll be fine

colorado_mom · 10-23-2009, 11:39 PM

If you "didn't turn in homework and stuff".... then you really might not like an academically intense college. So even if you were to get in, think about whether it is worth spending a ton of your money (or more likely your parents' money).