<p>So here’s how it goes… freshman year and sophomore year my grades were less than perfect… i got a combined GPA of about 3.4. My low GPA was a result of my devastating to doing homework. I am currently a Junior and my grades are looking better, but I am still not at the 4.0 I would need to get into the schools I am looking at. (Georgetown, NYU, UofDenver, Cal & UofEdinburgh) I got a 2080 on my Oct. SAT, and I got a 5 on my APWH test. I am taking APUSH and APeng this year, and can opt into APart whenever I want to. I also have been a varsity track athlete since freshman year, and have been a very active Model United Nations member. I know my GPA could be my Achilles heel when it comes to admissions, but is there any hope for this aspiring Hoya?</p>
<p>Similar issues. SOMEONE ANSWER THIS</p>
<p>You don’t need a 4.0 to get into good colleges. Even the colleges you list have many students with less than a 4.0 (look at the admissions data and common data sets for them). It is true that most top tier schools heavilly consider grades. However, they will also look at the rigor of your courseload, extracurricular activities, test scores, essays and recs. You should devote as much time as possible to those other items to improve your chances. Also, it is important to remember that colleges like to see an improvement in grades over time. It is better to have the weaker grades early on and then get stronger in your junior and senior year. </p>
<p>Try looking at some of the past threads on 3.0-3.6 gpa kids college acceptances on these boards (search this). That can be very encouraging.</p>
<p>Finally, if there are any special circumstances to explain your lower grades (ie: having to work, family circumstances…) you should do so. College admissions officers are human and they will understand something other than I was lazy. </p>
<p>Just make sure to also apply to safety and match schools you would be happy at, along with the reaches.</p>
<p>Good Luck.</p>