<p>i was talking to a someone after school in the student services office and i inquired about a couple different colleges to apply to. the first one had a minimum gpa and class percentile that i did not meet. we were talking it over and even called the admissions lady at the college and she said it was not necessarily a minimum so much as a general range where they’d like their student body to be at. i said that i’m involved in things like theatre and special education help, and that i wanted to go to their art school for my major. she encouraged me to apply anyway (i have a few recommendations as well). so with that being said, does the minimum requirement really hold up or what? or was she just bs’ing me because i don’t think that’s her job to do that…</p>
<p>It’s unlikely to get in if you’re below these “requirements,” but definitely not impossible.</p>
<p>Think about it: the minimums might not be extremely tight parameters but who might a college consider making exceptions for? What type of outlier applicant would entice the college to “take a chance on”?</p>
<p>Are you that person? Are you that extra special outlier that at first read, the admissions person will say: “I"ve got to have her – no matter what!”??</p>
<p>Generally, placing your hope that you’ll be the outlier is a recipe for disaster and disappointment. In college search vernacular, it’s called a “reach” school. But in this case, I don’t even think it qualifies. It’d be an almost “fantasy reach” school. </p>
<p>Do some more searching. Ask your counselor or art instructor for some honest choices that would meet your needs. Good luck to you.</p>
<p>
I’m thinking they’d want the applicant who refuses to use the shift key and ends sentences with prepositions.</p>
<p>But I could be wrong.</p>
<p>Sherpa, nice jab. I actually saw what you were trying to do there. I hope you don’t think I joined up to get demoralized. I was looking for some honest answers not some typing criticism. I hope that was in jest. But, rest assured, I don’t actually talk or write like that. See? It’s a pretty easy facade. I didn’t want a “hey I’m better than you, look at my perfect grammar” type of thing going on. Yes, I am relatively new to forums (this one all together), but spare me the BS. I just came here to get my question answered fairly. This is a pretty stressful time in my life, so don’t add to it. Save your sardonicism, thanks.</p>
<p>I would say the minimums are there for a reason. If you do not meet them, but have either a good reason why (say a mistake with a grade that brought your GPA way down below when before it was far above) or an extraordinary story then it may be worth a shot.</p>
<p>T26E4 was pretty on point though. I’d either spend the time necessary to bring up my grades to apply or pick a different school.</p>
<p>cdawg09 -</p>
<p>If you are planning to major in the Arts, you need to find out what is specifically required for that major at each of the colleges and universities that you are considering. Students who are admitted in the Arts often have very different GPAs and standardized test scores than students who are admitted in other fields of study. Their portfolios, auditions, and/or performance credits are what really matter. </p>
<p>You should visit the College Majors Forum and take a look at the threads in the sub-forums for students who are majoring in the Arts. There will be a lot of useful information for you.</p>
<p>Wishing you all the best!</p>
<p>If you’re not talking about a top college, you may be offered “conditional” acceptance, a nice way of saying you’re accepted but immediately placed on probation. You will need to prove yourself first semester or face dismissal, although that timeline can vary. </p>
<p>Who gets accepted on probation? Generally, someone who has a skill or a characteristic the institution finds desirable. And yes, many times that does mean althletic ability. But there are other reasons why a person might be given a chance. Apply. If the college wants to consider you, it’ll ask for more information.</p>