Ok, so how bad is this?

College Search & Lists
1

<p>I am a rising senior and have 6Cs 3Ds and 1 F on my transcript, with grades forgiveness applied to the Ds and Fs (grades aren’t in gpa, but are stuck on transcript). There are also extenuating circumstances behind most of the poor grades (I was ill and missed quite a bit of school). With a low 3.4 uw, 4.0 w gpa, 35 Act, good essays and recs and strong extracurriculars, could I get into a top 50 university? (with at least a small amount of aid?) Maybe U rochester or USC or something similar? (school in large city would be best) Are these schools out of reach?</p>

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<p>Your circumstances are not peculiar in terms of being ill and having some tough grades. But your ACT and grades are a big mismatch and every school you apply to will ask about it. So explain it up front in your essay or in a supplemental, and have your GC submit a statement that supports your explanation. </p>

<p>Many schools are more SAT/ACT focused, but all schools look at the whole picture, including special circumstances. And they will want to know if your illness is cured and if not, the prognosis and how that will affect you in college.</p>

<p>Most highly selective schools have a rough rule of no C’s, D’s or F’s. So stay clear of them. Pick schools in the 2nd Tier. Prestige and status is highly overrated by the way. The key thing in college is to pick a school which fits your needs, personality, objectives and factors. Its not one size fits all. </p>

<p>Kids put too much emphasis on status/ranking with little regard for fit and then they have issues or want to transfer out. Instead, if you do your homework up front and focus on your unique criteria and finding a school which is a good fit for YOU, then you will be happier and have a higher degree of success. Chances are the admissions committee will see the same thing and say, “this kid will succeed here.” </p>

<p>Happiness always trumps prestige.</p>

3

<p>Thanks for replying. What kind of schools do you have in mind when you say 2nd tier?</p>

4

<p>Second tier would not be USC or Univ of Rochester. Look at the US News Rankings.</p>