<p>Currently, my GPA stands at around 3.2. I understand that that’s not bad, but it doesn’t quite accurately reflect me, I think. Fortunately, I have time to fix it.</p>
<p>Part of the reason for the GPA is that I always go for the harder classes, including AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Statistics, next year AP English and a post-secondary art class, and College and Honor level courses most everywhere else. Another part is that I don’t do as well in topics that don’t interest me (like the aforementioned chemistry).</p>
<p>On the ACT (with writing, which was an 8), my score was a 36, and my SAT score was 2170. I do distance running, though I doubt I’ll be a captain, and I’m fairly certain I’m going to end up as captain of the Speech and Knowledge Bowl teams next year. Chances are that I’m also going to reach Eagle Scout, for whatever good that will do me.</p>
<p>So while I do have a lot of things going for me, I can’t help but agonize over that GPA score. I’m looking to go into Political Science, maybe double majoring in Economics if that turns out to be practical.</p>
<p>Will the GPA really impact me that much, and what colleges should I look at for a solid Political Science degree that I’m likely to get into?</p>
<p>Many thanks ahead of time for any responses.</p>
<p>im in the same position as you are always have been taking the ap/honors classes which have hurt my gpa but had made me learn alot more, i also hate chemistry because im not going to study anything related to it (business/economics), my gpa is 3.25 or 85 for high school currently ending junior year</p>
<p>Technically your “GPA” isn’t important at all, it’s completely meaningless (because all schools calculate GPA completely differently, rank matters a LOT more). What’s really important is your transcript—do you shine in one area (i.e. get all As in history, b/c you’re interested in politics)? Do you show improvement over all 4 years? Also, if you have good relationships with your teachers, they should reflect that you’re really smart despite academic challenges.</p>
<p>That being said… a LOT of people applying to top tier universities take APs in all fields and excel in all of them. Sometimes a low GPA + high SAT/ACT combination reflects a lazy-but-smart student (which clearly you aren’t), so depending on the quality of your recommendations I think you’ll still be able to get into some top tier universities (but maybe not tippy-top). Also, your ECs definitely work in your favor.</p>
<p>As far as suggestions go, GWU sounds like a really good fit for you, and maybe American too. Georgetown would definitely be reach-y with that GPA but they have pretty holistic admissions and your ECs/scores are great. Also, Tufts is really solid in PolySci but would be pretty reachy too. Good luck!</p>