Does anybody have any examples? Those would be really helpful because I’m currently struggling with that right now!
Have they and do they happen? Of course. And then what?
What’s more important is what’s available to you, right? What IS your GPA? What state do you live in? Do you have any idea of a potential major or a regional preference on where to go to college? What can your family afford?
As you’ve suspected, having a less than ideal GPA limits choices. But there remain many viable and affordable choices. Clarify and ppl can make suggestions. Spk w/your GC and he/she can tell you what colleges students of similar achievement have been able to successfully target in the past.
Well you need to be more specific on what is low and what is high.
GPA is obviously more important as it speaks of your work ethic and ability over a 4 year period while SAT tests your ability to take a 3 hour test.
And it also depends on where you are aiming. A 3.5/2300 may not be enough for Ivy League, but it can certainly be enough at some state flagships.
Not necessarily. As with just about all questions on this board the answer is it depends. Look up how criteria are weighted in admissions via the Common Data Set. IIRC U Nebraska was one school where scores are more important than GPA. http://irp.unl.edu/CDS2013-14.pdf
I’m assuming your SAT is at least 1400+ for Math/CR. If your UW GPA is nearer 3.0 than 3.5, try Penn State and Ohio State. (Yes, this advice is backed by actual experience from last year.)
If your GPA is 3.5 or higher, with a good essay and EC’s IMHO you actually still have a fair chance at the Ivies/HYPS. I’m also assuming you don’t have a “hook” (NCAA recruit, etc.).
Lastly, show interest by signing up and going for any Admissions events, if you can.
What is your home state and how much can your family afford? PSU might be out of reach financially if you’re OOS (or even instate since their aid is not very good).