<p>I have a 3.4 uw, 4.0 w gpa with several Cs Ds and one F on my transcript (grade forgiveness applied to the Ds and Fs, but they are still on my transcript). There are also extenuating circumstances behind most of the poor grades (illness). With a 35 ACT, good essays and recs and decent extracurriculars, could you chance me for
Tulane
Oxford at Emory ( I think this is my way into Emory, one of my first choices)
Case Western
GWU</p>
<p>Also, since LACs judge applications more holistically than universities, how about
Grinnell
Rhodes
Sewanee
Reed
Trinity (Conn)
I would also need a fair amount of FA. Are any of these schools realistic?</p>
<p>Hmm… that ACT is good, but certainly not the whole package. Its kind of hard to judge when you didn’t really tell what kinds of ECs and all that you have. Make sure that your counselor or someone thouroughly explains everything that happened to cause your low grades. Congrats on the 35 though!</p>
<p>Agreed. Please tell us about your EC’s and other factors that might be involved. For example, schools like to see a schedule that challenged you (read AP courses). How many of those did you have, if any? Once you answer these questions, and assuming you can support what you are saying about illness, you should have a decent shot at most of these schools. I don’t mean to sound “cold” about the illness, but you would be amazed at how many students that were not really ill try to explain away bad grades that way. It will be critical that your school counselor and/or your Dr. can support this reason.</p>
<p>I feel I must comment on finances too, since you say FA is important. A school like Tulane is very generous with merit aid, and your 35 will help a lot, but of course the GPA pulls the other way. It will be important that you do get the support I mentioned regarding your illness and that you then work with the schools to maxmize your merit scholarship (if they offer any) and your FA. Under no circumstances, though, should you go into a situation where you will come out of 4 years of school with more than about $25,000 in debt. Just my opinion, but the papers and NPR have been running numerous stories about graduates that will be burdened for years with debt and how it is adversely affecting their lives.</p>
<p>Thanks! My ECs consist of leadership positions in a few clubs (NHS and other academic clubs) and writing related projects (editor of newspaper, coeditor of yearbook etc). I also constructed several different social programs in the local community for low income kids and found grants and underclassmen student leaders for both so that they can continue after I leave. I’ve also got around 150 hours of Community Service (Most from working on these projects). Realistically, would these kinds of activities put me in the range of any of my aforementioned schools? Oh, and I’ve also taken all honors/6 Ap courses since freshman year. I intend to take a few next year as well.</p>
<p>Let me just make a commment: I’m not sure where you live/how far you want to go, but I do know of two schools that are VERY good (Vanderbilt and Davidson) that will meet 100% of your demonstrated needed aid. You don’t have to pay it back, based on what I know, they kind of just give it to you. As I’m sure you very well know, Vanderbilt is an amazing school, and Davidson, although it is small, is a good LAC.</p>
<p>ryan - based on all those factors you should have a good chance at many schools, again especially if you can make them “forget” about the poor grades. I don’t mean to sound like a broken record on it, it just is potentially the thing that could get in the way. Still, even taking that into account, I like your chances at Tulane and GWU, and almost certainly Oxford. I don’t know about Case, just not familiar enough with how much they weight GPA. Grinnell might be tough, same with Reed. The others I think you are OK. Vandy and Davidson would be tough also. Again, your case is rather difficult to predict because of the disparity between GPA and ACT score. EC’s really don’t get you in most places, but the lack of them can keep you out. But you should be fine there. As long as you have a few “safeties” (academic and financial), then you just apply and see what happens. However, be sure to attend local events and, if possible, visit the ones you are most interested in. Showing strong interest is important.</p>
<p>I am not sure what hello means about 100% of demonstrated needed aid. Many schools now have programs that if your family income is less than $X per year, they guarantee no loan tuition coverage or even more. However, many of those programs have lots of caveats, such as counting equity in your home and the like. If your family income is more than that magic number, they may meet 100%, but that can mean loans, and you certainly do have to pay it back. Anyway, this will all become clearer to you as you fill out the FAFSA and other forms required and you see what your EFC (Expected Family Contribution) is, and whether the schools are actually affordable for you.</p>