<p>Given that the GPA is ~3.75 till I sem of junior year, and the possibility of it going up significantly is small (even if straight As in the next 3 semesters), is it reasonable to assume that Ivys/Stanford etc. are a reach? A few concentrated ECs (art/music/language) are all there are. What SAT score would, if at all, will compensate for this GPA?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>probably 2280+ would be good. But your essays are the most important part of the application, so as long as you do an astounding job in that i think you’ll be able to increase your competency</p>
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<p>Definitely not 
Transcripts, what you’ve done for four years, would be worth more</p>
<p>There isn’t an SAT score that would compensate, as people with 4.0s and 2400s can get rejected - it will be a reach either way. It doesn’t make your chances impossible, though</p>
<p>Thanks for all the comments.</p>
<p>A few details on the transcript thus far:</p>
<p>-The GPA was unweighted, taking into account A/A-/B+/B/B-…translates 4/3.67/3.33/3…
-Got 800 in SAT Chem and Math2c thus far. And a 5 in AP Chem. That’s all.
-SAT will be taken in March, and SAT Bio in May this year.
<p>Chances are still not very encouraging, I presume? Ivys/Stanford/… are still a reach?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Well, Ivys/Stanford are always a reach. Your GPA is good, obviously it could be better, but it is strong. Did you take the most rigorous courseload? You seem to have good testing skills, so I think with a 2200+ you have a good shot. Even then, they are still reaches. Don’t be discouraged - no one is automatically “in” at these schools (well, besides recruited athletes). Very few, if any, are matches. Keep your grades up, do well on the SAT, and have FUN junior/senior year!</p>
<p>Many of the courses were Honors till sophomore year, and 4 APs/1Hons now in junior year, and 3-4 APs in senior year. Looks like a SAT score in the 2300s will be required for any decent chance :(</p>
<p>It sure is discouraging to realize where you really stand!</p>
<p>ruar12 don’t be discouraged! I’m not sure where you have gotten the idea that a student must have 4.0+ gpa and a perfect SAT to get into a good college?? This is not the case. Many factors go into consideration. EC, Rigor of courses, work experiences, interests, major, gpa, sat’s, hobbies, sports, and many other things. </p>
<p>A terrific education can be achieved almost anywhere, it’s what the student makes of it and how much they want to get out of the school that really matters in the end. </p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>
<p>Thanks, guitars101. Your advice is very apt.</p>
<p>another query I have is- are subjects like Psychology, AP Economics, and other courses that come under History & Social Sciences included in the core GPA?</p>
<p>okay my situation is somewhat like ruar’s but worse and since i dont know how to create new posts…i thought i would post here. Anyways, im a junior in high school and want to get into MIT but the thing is my gpa soph year was a 3.2 and first semster of junior year isnt going to so well either (gpa of ~3.3 weighted). Im taking 4 weighted and of those 4, two are AP’s. Im going to pull my grade up a lot next semester and was wondering if I get like a 4.7 weighted second semester and first semster of junior with rigorous classes and join a lot of clubs and continue another year with tennis (total ~ 2 years)…Will i have a shot? What would i need to to do to up my chance if i have any? Please and thank you for the replies. :D</p>
<p>If you’ve consistently made about a 3.3 for the last three semesters, I find it highly unlikely that you could get straight As this semester. So unfortunately, no, I don’t think you stand much of a shot.</p>
<p>And even if you do stand a shot, you need to consider if MIT is the right school for you. Their classes are HARD; they only have an 89% graduation rate. If you pulled a 3.3 weighted in your sophmore year of high school, are you honestly prepared for the kind of work you’d have to do?</p>
<p>Yes i’m prepared…the reason my grades were so low was because my study habits were less that satisfactory…i was LAZY…but im very capable of getting straight A’s…</p>