ddn333

Hey guys,

So I've struggled to stay motivated about school for my first two years of high school (now a rising senior) and I realize I probably screwed myself in regards to getting into any top school. I'm reasonably intelligent (or so I'd like to think), but never really bothered to try to keep my gpa up. I was wondering what chances I'd have at these schools with a low gpa.

Male, Asian
MA
Junior, Class of 2017


SATs: 2320
750 Critical Reading
770 Math
800 Writing

Sat Subject Tests:
770 Chemistry
760 World History
750 Biology
Taking Math 2 in October, probably should get 770-800

Unweighted GPA: 3.4
Weighted GPA: 3.9
Class rank: School doesn't rank

AP Classes Taken:

World History
US History
Chemistry
Biology
My school doesn't offer AP math until senior year, or AP english at all

Senior year AP Classes:

AP Econ
AP C Physics
AP BC Calculus

EC:

4 years of baseball (varsity letter)
AAU/legion baseball during summers
4 years of indoor track (varsity letter)
Volunteer T.A at my local chinese school (about 200 hours)
Helping my dad run his online restaurant ordering business (I help him run the site, design restaurant pages, make sales calls etc.) <- Not sure if this counts?

But yeah, my ECs are pretty limited, so I'm planning on pouring my heart and soul into my essay.

Don't know if this matters but I go to a public school that is pretty well represented among top schools. Usually around the top 10% (out of a graduating class of 500) end up going to an Ivy or equivalent. Unfortunately I'm not one of them so this doesn't apply to me but I just thought I'd throw it out there.

I've accepted the fact that I'm bound for mediocrity college-wise, but I was just wondering what my chances of salvation were.

(originally posted this in Uchicago board but I'd like to get a better read on all my schools)

Other reach schools I'm considering:
Swarthmore (Not sure if realistic, guidance counselor said I had a chance if I ED?)
UChicago (Not sure if realistic either)
Brandeis
William & Mary
Carleton
Colgate
NYU Stern
Michigan Ross


Thanks if you made it this far

gomdorri

Everything is good except for your GPA. If you explained what your situation was and how you've improved so immensely, I'm sure they'll understand. The low GPA will affect your chances but it doesn't mean you have absolutely no chance at all.

kathyandrade

Your GPA isn't low. This is sad.

ddn333

@gomdorri That's encouraging to hear. Only problem is that I don't really have a valid excuse other than immaturity lol.

@cathyandrade Are you sure you're looking at my unweighted gpa?

Ivygolfer

If anything I would EA to U Chicago. They are playing the numbers game to get to the coveted Top 5 spot in USNWR, so they will love your high SAT score. Additionally they weight essays quite heavily so if you do well on those you may have a solid shot.

swamyswamy

the fact that you have scored 770 in Chem SAT clearly shows that you are a very smart person. All other SAT scores are also excellent. Once you are in college, nobody will ever ask you what your HS GPA is. What matters is college GPA.

ddn333

Is swarthmore or bowdoin realistic provided I ED?

Elderberry

GPA is low, but mine is lower. :P Apply you have a good shot, especially with those SATs. One friend of mine got into Princeton with a 3.5 GPA but really good ECs. Try, you never know. Try to improve your senior year, make straight A's. Don't worry about ECs much,you have good ECs, try to do more volunteering if you can.
And yes, make a kick-ass essay. Essay can really determine college admin. if they want you or not. Along with others, like awards or recommendations.
Also what are you majoring in?

ebruin

your gpa is better than average, not low(like 2.8)

Sikorsky

This is why your GPA will be problematic for the colleges and universities you've mentioned.

Most of the colleges you've named don't have to take a chance on anyone. They can fill their freshman class and their wait list and never take a student who's been an underachiever in the past. And while your GPA, as others have noted, is not bad, it is both low for the colleges you've targeted and out of line with your top-flight standardized test scores.

If any of the colleges or universities you've named is going to accept you, they'll need to be persuaded that you're not going to lose motivation and underperform while you're in college. How will you convince them that this is the case? What can you offer them that's better than the assurance, "I really, really won't?"

ddn333

Uh, some boys take longer to mature? ^_^ Yeah, I really have no idea. Brandeis does seem to be more forgiving gpa wise, and traditionally favors higher test scores (at least according to my schools naviance chart).

At this point I'm strongly leaning towards a finance route, probably going IB after college and hopefully ending up in hedge funds. However, none of these are really target schools (besides Chicago), so I'm considering joining Brandeis' 3-2 program which gets me into Columbia. This does tack on an extra year though, so I was wondering (provided I do well of course) would I be able to/would it be worth it to transfer to a target school such as Cornell or UPenn after freshman year? My motivation won't be a problem in college. If I've learned anything from high school, it's that I really need to step up my game.

skarmika

Your test scores are great so that should help you make up for your gpa even though it isn't very low. If you have a strong essay and good recommendations you should be fine. Try to stand out

ddn333

Is this regarding applying out of high school or transferring?

kiddo64

Wow your GPA is really not that bad >>. What'd you do, get a couple of B's.

ddn333

More than a couple Xp