<p>With all the posters on CC convinced that schools want more apps so they can collect all that app money, then reject more kids and mythically “raise” their usnews standing, I am surprised how many here throw out, “won’t know if you don’t try.” You are, in effect, telling more and more kids to go for it, just in case lightning strikes.</p>
<p>OP, if you are too embarassed to admit your gpa, you have to understand the top colleges interpret gpa as evidence of a pattern of motivation to succeed. Extenuating circumstances? Rarely work. They like patterns of success, real evidence you will keep up and do well at their college-- not explanations of why you didn’t perform. Explanations suggest the next time you get bored, distracted or whatever, you’ll have issues.</p>
<p>2140 and 780 are in range for an Ivy. Most of the serious competition will apply with a high gpa. Plus, as a holistic admissions school, D will be looking for patterns of success in other areas of your life. That said, we don’t know your gpa- you could be like too many kids who whine over a 3.8uw.</p>
<p>If it were as simple as a super, outstanding essay, lots of kids would hire someone to do it for them.</p>