High SATS, Low GPA

Applying to College
1

Hello!,

So, my SAT’s are at a 2,140.
My GPA, however, is at a 2.82
I have a 3.42 for this semester, and will have a 3.6 or 3.7 for next semester.
Note: my school’s average GPA is a 3.3

Do you think that schools will cut me off because of my GPA, or will the SAT make them think twice?

2

I’m not an adcom, but I think that how it would reflect on admissions would depend on the college. For example

  1. There are colleges that have alternative scoring methods - if your GPA is low but your SAT high, you consult a chart to see if they offset each other. U of Oregon has this - a 2.82 is too low for admissions, but if you have a 930 (math and reading combined) on SAT you meet their “alternative admissions” guidelines. Note, this is for <em>eligibility</em> only. But it seems to make sense that schools that have this kind of system established are also likely more willing to give your application a serious look.

  2. Highly elite colleges, unless you have an amazing hook, are probably going to “pass” on your application. They are extreme reaches for you – they have so many 2100+ students with 3.8 - 4.4+ GPAs who are begging to get in already.

  3. Schools that look favorably on grade trends are a good match for you. But, even then, your best <em>proven</em> semester so far is a 3.42 - so look for schools where a 3.42 is in that middle 50% of admitted students and you know you’ve found a potential match.

You also have the option of CC. Get a 4.0 GPA and transfer to any number of elite LACs or highly ranked state universities. These days, because of the economy, the CC to 4year route is a much more accepted path and the 4years generally speaking really want the transfer students to fill out their rosters.

In the end, you just need to get your application out there, pick reaches, matches and safeties (including CCs). Because of your GPA/SAT mismatch, the only difference is that finding matches requires a little bit more sleuthing.

3

Thank you so much!

4

My son, too, has a low GPA and high test scores. He’s taken an extremely rigorous course load and has great extracurricular activities. Will getting 5’s on his AP exams and high scores on the SAT 2’s help him, or do colleges not look at that? What will colleges think of a student like my son? Lazy or interested in things outside of school?