Hello, you’re right—they’re definitely very different environments and academic philosophies, and I’ve looked into that. But these are all QuestBridge partner schools, and since QuestBridge is my best shot at getting a full ride at a top-tier institution, it makes sense to include them in my list. Plus, it’s not just about chasing a name—I do care about getting an excellent education and strong opportunities. And to balance it out, I also have non-Ivy QuestBridge partners like Northwestern, and even places like W&L on my list. So it’s more of a strategy to maximize the odds of both admission and affordability, rather than assuming every school on the list is the same fit.
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If you’re really looking to maximize admission, your Questbridge list would look much different. As it stands now, you have a very small chance of matching with your top 10-12 schools IF you make finalist. Just something to consider.
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If I look at your gpa, I see it as 17 points first year in 5 classes.
25 points and 7 classes 2nd year.
23 points 6 classes junior year.
So 65 / 18=3.611. I only used what I’d consider core.
Getting mixed responses, one person said it’s 4.0 with his calculation, another 3.70 exact, and now 3.6
Using the most commonly used calculations, If you have 5 Bs and a C, you can’t have a 4.0.
A 4.0 UW typically means straight A student. You aren’t that. I’m not trying to be mean here, but that’s the reality of your situation. And the colleges won’t count your high grades in PE, Health and Drivers Ed.
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What the reader who said that my unweighted average over 27 classes is a 4.0 (@DadOfJerseyGirl) meant was that if you literally average the raw number grades (adding all the grades and dividing by the number of classes), the average is ~93.3 — which is in the “A” range on a 90–100 scale. But you’re 100% right–I’m not a straight A student.
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This is how I hit a 3.6. Someone can check my math. Or disagree with my assumptions.
In 9th, I excluded study skills and graphic arts, health and PE.
In 10th, I excluded PE and Driver’s Ed.
In 11th, I excluded Art, PE and health.
I used 90+ = 4, 80+ = 3, 70+ = 2.
OP, you’re over panicking.
I gave you a plan in post 126. Read it.
3.2, 3.6, 3.9 - doesn’t matter. You need to just follow a plan - that’s one I would subscribe too and I would personally alter your QB list.
Most importantly, I would give serious consideration to Berea. You’ve not mentioned it.
Unlike the QB schools which are loaded with wealthy kids, here’s a top LAC that has zero wealthy kids. That means more spots for kids like you. It’s #40 US News, not far off W&L.
The goal is free college. Not free college at a big name. That’s a nicety. The goal is free college. Don’t lose sight of your true needs.
In that vein, see the second picture. Troy University. This should be your goal. You’re really an above average Rutgers’s applicant (not a superstar, sorry). Even Rutgers is not 100% assured but I’d say very likely. Other schools, like Troy, crave that !!! They buy in smart kids. Not sure how they get to a 3.7 but hopefully they say you have it.
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Honestly, I think everyone is getting too bogged down with your GPA. You have an A average but you do not have an unweighted 4.0. Those are two different things. As @DramaMama2021 mentioned above, colleges will evaluate your GPA in the context of your high school. Admissions officers see all sorts of different grading systems from 4 points to 6 points to numerical grades out of 100 and many others. They know how to evaluate all of those. A 3.6 at one high school may be at the top of the class and may be middle of the class somewhere else. You are in the top 10 percent of your class - which indicates that your school may not have as much grade inflation as other schools. Do kids in the top ten percent of your high school routinely gain acceptance to Ivy League and other top universities? If your school has Naviance or Scoir available it may give you an idea of how you measure up to past acceptances from your high school.
As accomplished as you are, the reality is you have a C and a bunch of Bs in STEM classes. Your high SAT score shows that you certainly have mastered algebra and geometry - but won’t erase those less than perfect grades. What people on here are trying to get through to you is at the most selective schools you will be competing with all those straight A class valedictorians with perfect standardized test scores. Guess what? The Ivy League and top 20 schools are still a reach for them too. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t apply or that you won’t be accepted. It just means like every other highly capable student you should find some affordable schools with higher acceptance rates as a fall back in case you don’t get into one of those big name schools. Any college with an acceptance rate below 20 percent is a reach for you because it is a reach everyone.
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I believe some colleges will include the 2 art subjects, but those likely won’t make a big difference.
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Would be a 3.65 then - if my math is right.
Bio, Chem, and Physics are all Bs - could be a concern combined with a C in Geometry and B in Algebra.
OP - you see why people are expressing concern. The pros will see this quicker than us.
Doesn’t matter - if you have full need as you say, your options are limited. Make sure you take your shots - and not just the creme de la creme.
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Yeah, at least there’s an upward trend in math, but that fact would probably have more sway at lower-ranked colleges than at the top ones.
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At my school, there was only 2 people admitted into the Ivy Leauge in the past 5 years. One to Brown and another to Harvard. The average SAT score at my school is 1060. Out of all the schools in my county, we have one of the lowest AP/Honors participation. This gives some context
That’s a huge positive - and reflects well on you.
Again, go back to my post 126.
You can debate your GPA or STEM grades or otherwise - but the fact remains - you say you have no SAI - that every school shows $0 contribution.
So no matter the discussion here, your plan can only include free schools:
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Rutgers and/or other NJ publics
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QB
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Other meets need - with to me, a priority on Berea
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Schools with unlikely but possible full rides like SMU, and Providence and what may be automatic - check the website - Troy and others that might be similar
You can discuss every aspect of every little thing - but nothing can really deviate from this (at least in my mind). The QB is where you need some homework - to pick the right ones that match you best.
Rutgers is a very excellent fallback option. I think many students such as myself in Central Jersey undervalue it because it’s right in our backyard lol.
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Glad you see it now !!! And I agree - many do that if their home state…my home school stinks (when they don’t).
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The way I see it, I’ll have 15 great QuestBridge partner schools on my list, all highly prestigious. If none select me through the match, that’s completely fine: those applications will roll into QuestBridge Regular Decision. I’ll also apply to a few solid NJ Public school options through the Common App (like TCNJ, Drew, and Stevens Institute of Tech). And if nothing else works out, I’d be happy to enroll at Rutgers, hopefully in the Honors College!
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Drew and Stevens are not public universities. Neither of these private colleges guarantee to meet full financial need. Please check to see if they will be affordable. They might not be.
Look at Rowan and Stockton for instate affordable (possibly) options.
Rutgers is a fine option. But I think it’s nice to have choice!
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Correct. And the maximum merit aid I’ve seen Stevens grant (to tippy top students), is about $44k - making its COA mid to upper 40s. So yes, I’d take Stevens off the list.
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First, I want to commend you for listening and taking to heart the advice folks have been giving you. Rutgers is a fabulous option as your fall back. I don’t have any issue with you shooting for the moon provided you have an option that you would be happy with and can afford if your questbridge schools don’t pan out.
That being said, I would still suggest that you tweak your questbridge list a bit. It’s obvious you are a standout in the context of your high school - both in terms of your stellar SAT score and your course rigor. Likewise, your extra curriculars are very impressive. As you are well aware, your GPA is weak point for you. Given your upward trend I would highly encourage you to consider adding Emory for a number of reasons - the most important of which is they do not consider your grades from Freshman year which works in your favor. I’m sure someone will correct me if I am wrong, but I believe Emory is near the top of the list of schools accepting the most questbridge students at around 140 per year. While still a reach, it is phenomenal for pre meds. Emory Hospital is right on campus for shadowing and clinical hours, students routinely intern at the CDC and do research at the medical school. Full disclosure - my husband and I are both alums. My husband did both his undergrad and medical school at Emory.
Looking at your current questbridge list, I would probably swap out Notre Dame. Not because it isn’t a wonderful school but because I kind of question the fit of a Catholic school with required theological classes for a non Christian. If you are hung up on ranking, I think just about everyone on these boards can assure you there is no substantive difference between a school ranked 18 by US news and the school ranked 24.
I would also encourage you to research further some of the questbridge LACs with higher admissions rates - maybe an Oberlin or Skidmore and consider swapping out one of your Ivy plus schools. You may not consider these to be “better” than Rutgers but these could be potentially full ride which I don’t believe Rutgers would be for you? LACs provide a much different learning environment than a large public which may or may not appeal to you.
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One more thought, and again I’m biased because my kid attends, look into William and Mary. They recently established a full ride scholarship for out of state pell grant eligible students.
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