Does a strong ACT/SAT and a resume full of a ton of extracurriculars balance out a low GPA?
A lot of colleges look at the whole picture, and honestly, it’s hard to say. Plus, some people think 3.6 is low, some people think 2.0 is low. If you’re dealing with the latter, it might not necessarily balance out.
In all honesty, I feel like it depends on the circumstances and the goal school.
GPA is 3.98 on the 5.0 Weighted scale, but I expect it to drop a bit. And my goal school for undergrad is UT Austin.
No. The first thing considered is grades.
I don’t know the details of your school’s GPA weighting system, but at first glance it seems you’re a “B” student. Generally, colleges that accept “B” students don’t care much about EC’s
For Texas public universities, class rank is the main criterion for admission.
If you are not a Texas resident in the top 6% of your class, UT Austin is a reach.
it’s wrong - grades are not first priority (only if you have nothing else) - if your extracurriculars are unique ie you are an actor, won national darts competition, started a bowtie business that is making millions you are going to get into a top school. most importantly, you need to focus on schools that really value those ECs - many state schools dont really care
Yeah, if you are recruited, or you found a treatment to cure cancer, or if you hold a few patents, lower grades would be fine. Otherwise, most schools consider GPA to be most important or at least important. Look up the CDS and you will find that info. For UT Austin, grades are most important for in state auto admission. For other in state and OOS students, it is a reach anyway due to the limited seats left. A lower GPA would not help.
Not grades. Class rank is what matters.
https://admissions.utexas.edu/apply/decisions
https://admissions.utexas.edu/apply/decisions/freshman-review
@ucbalumnus May it be wGPA or uwGPA that determine the rank, it is still the grades (vs test scores and EC). That is the question of the OP.
@sherpa my school is a magnet, admittance based school, does that change anything?
Sorry @ccfk1221, @“Erin’s Dad” is right and you’re wrong.
UT Austin is incredibly odd with admissions. I have a 4.2 W/3.83 UW, 33 ACT, STELLAR ECs, great essays, great rec., etc. and I got CAP for COLA. Meanwhile multiple people from my school got in with 3.5s give or a take a few points and low ACTs. Not only were they admitted, but some where admitted to McCombs.
Hopefully it’ll help but I really don’t know.
@Ashtash It may have been the major you chose?