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Advice for an African Student with a low GPA and a high SAT
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Replies to: Advice for an African Student with a low GPA and a high SAT
However, be aware that internationals applying ED are often deferred if they need aid, since the amount of money available ought to be spent on the most interesting applicants only.
Look for ways to qualify your GPA and "prove" that it means more than it does from an American standard. Take SAT subject tests/AP tests, try to obtain your specific class rank, percentiles in national examinations. Basically provide a complete background on which they can properly judge your GPA, especially if they are not familiar with your school.
See my example if it will help soothe your mind:
My GPA is 3.38, but I still received the Dean's Scholarship from Fordham, which they state is for the "top 10%" of admitted applicants, in a school where the the average admitted applicant has a 3.7 GPA.
Clearly, in this case they took the GPA in context, disregarding the fact that it is numerically "low." Other colleges will probably do the same with your GPA.