Advice for an African Student with a low GPA and a high SAT

<p>I’m in pretty much the same sitch as you. Adcoms probably know better than to take your GPA at face value.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>See my example if it will help soothe your mind:</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>