High GPA but Low SATs (what to do...)

Applying to College
1

<p>Hi everyone,
my name is Robbie and I am from Switzerland.
I am worried that my crappy SATs scores will hinder my academic profile:
I have a 3.8 GPA,on the school’s honor roll, I am completing the IB diploma and will receive a full bilingual diploma in french.
I am taking 4 Higher Level Courses (the required number is 3, i am taking 4)(grades out of 7):
IB HL A1 English: 6
IB HL A2 French: 6
IB HL Economics: 6/7
IB HL History: 6
Standard Level courses:
IB SL Math: 7
IB SL Biology: 5
SAT SCORES:

  • I have taken 3 times the SAT desperately seeking to improve them alas I cannot go over 600 (CR 520) (M 550) (W 550)
    I also do 3hrs/week of community service for the past year and I speak three languages fully (english french and german). My essay is extremely strong aswell as my recommendations. Additionally, I play soccer at a national level here in Switzerland, captain of my team; I love soccer.</p>

<p>I am freaked out and I feel that I am going to be rejected against people who have lower gpa but higher SAT scores. </p>

<p>What do you think? I am applying to these schools:
University of Maryland: College Park
UVa
Boston University
Boston College
Ithaca College
Catholic U</p>

<p>Thanks everyone</p>

2

<p>It’s a tough call Robbie. Your grades and background are very good. Perhaps, the adcoms will discount your low SAT scores due to language issues. </p>

<p>If you don’t need financial aid, I’d say you are OK to get accepted at a couple of these schools:</p>

<p>Ithaca College
Catholic University
Univesity of Maryland (College ParK)
Boston University (you may be placed in Metropolitan College) </p>

<p>[Boston</a> University Metropolitan College is a college in Boston that offers undergraduate degrees and undergraduate college certificate programs, graduate degrees and graduate certificate programs, as well as individual college courses for the student](<a href=“http://www.bu.edu/met/]Boston”>Welcome to Boston University Metropolitan College | BU MET)</p>

<p>Unless you are a recruited athlete, the following are likely out of the picture:</p>

<p>UVA
Boston College</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

3

<p>Concentrate on your essay and try to have an interview with an alumni or admissions person. Also, consider taking the ACT. It’s much more objective and many people do better on it. Most schools accept either and will look at both.</p>

4

<p>If you would like to continue playing soccer in college, you could try talking to some coaches at the schools you’re interested in.</p>

5

<p>Robbie, definetly contact the coaches on the soccer team (there should be coaches contact info on the athletic portion of each schools web page). They will probably be able to help you and advise you on what to do as far as admissions go. Also, if you are interested check out some of the SAT optional schools like Holy Cross, Gettysburg, Bates, Dickinson and Drew. All are very good schools. Best of luck!</p>