Can a high SAT and AP scores offset lower GPA

FWIW: There is now an alternative to the Common Application that is giving students more options to present themselves to Admissions Committees. It’s called The Coalition for Access, Affordability and Success: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/01/education/edlife/what-college-admissions-wants.html

The video submitted by this student is a good example of a someone positively impacting their community through one of their extracurriular activities. And the video certainly made this student stand out!