Low GPA, decent SAT, what should I do?

Northstarmom
Mon, 02 Aug 2010 00:45:21 +0000

The problem is that if you basically have a 0 EFC and OK – but not great stats – and are applying to OOS public schools, you are setting yourself up for heartbreak by applying to public schools OOS.

You will have a hard time even getting the aid you need from in-state publics.

Most schools lack the funds to give you the aid you need. If (and this is a big “if”) you could take out loans to make up the difference, you’d probably be taking out a minimum of about $100k in loans to pay for your college, and that would not be worth it. That would be a crippling amount of debt. Given the fact that your parents are bankrupt, however, you’re not going to be able to take out large loans.

There are plenty of schools that you can get into with a 3.1. However, your problem will be finding schools that you also can afford to attend.

And, no, you have no chance at U Penn., which is one of the most difficult colleges in the country to get acceptance to. Many students with 4.0 averages and scores of 2200 or higher are turned down by that college.

It would be wiser to look for schools that you know you can afford. Perhaps some of the lower ranked in-state publics have merit aid for hard science students that you might qualify for.