Perfect SAT score, low GPA

Chance Me / Match Me
1

Hoping to get into:
-Cornell
-Boston College
-UPenn
-Carnegie Mellon
-Duke

SAT I (breakdown): Freshman yr 2280 (780 CR 800 M 700 W), Junior yr 2400
ACT (breakdown): 36
SAT II: Chemistry (690), Physics (780), Math I (800), Math II (800), Latin (720), Korean (800), French (800), Literature (720), US History (780)
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 91/100 school doesn’t provide grade out of 4.0
AP (place score in parenthesis): Chemistry (3), World History (4), US (3), Physics (5), Computer Science (5)
Senior Year Course Load: AP Calc BC, AP Latin, AP Gov, AP Psychology, Post AP Chemistry

Extracurriculars: Robotics (4 years), Astronomy (4 years, Co-President), Key Club (4 years, Event Coordinator), Theater (4 years, Treasurer and Upperclassmen Director), Random Acts of Kindness (4 years, VP), Photography (3 years, VP), Journalism (3 years, VP), Varsity Wrestling (3 years, Vice Captain)

Job/Work Experience: Museum (1.5 years, paid), Instructor at local math tutoring center (2 years, paid), Visitor Services at hospital (2 year, paid), Clarinet teacher at music school (3 years, paid), Teacher assistant at local tutoring center (3 years, paid)

Volunteer/Community service: Local Senior Center (100+ hours), Library (400+ hours)

Female, Asian
Income: 40k

My main concern is my GPA. I am hoping my test scores or activities could make up for it.

Thank you in advance!

2

You demographic is what the Eastern and Midwestern liberal arts colleges want. You probably would do very well applying to some. Boston College is a smart choice and Notre Dame would be even better despite it being more selective than BC.

3

While I would recommend adding some safeties to your list, I think you have a shot at any of these schools. First and foremost, that is an excellent ACT score. DO NOT SUBMIT THE ACT UNLESS A SCHOOL REQUIRES IT. They do not need to also see a 2280 when you already have a 36. Your SAT subject test scores are also very solid. Since you have so many, I would recommend not submitting Math 1 (doesn’t add anything since you already have an 800 on Math 2), don’t submit the 690 Chem score (it’s a bit low and you don’t need to send it), and I would say it is up to you whether you want to submit the Latin and Literature exams (quite impressive though that you are that familiar in three/four languages). Your ec’s are not bad, and leadership is solid. Varsity wrestling for a female will add a unique aspect to your application. It’s honestly something I have never seen before. Your course load is solid, and unfortunately your GPA is low. Your work experience and volunteering are fine. Here’s my final opinion: you might be one of the only people who may successfully be able to make up for a lower GPA because you are not in the anti-hook Asian zone (low income/female not wealthy male from CA), and your ec’s are pretty good. I generally hold off on saying that test scores can make up for grades, but they certainly won’t hurt you. Cornell - Reach (still an Ivy), BC - High Match, UPenn - Reach (High reach if Wharton or Engineering), Carnegie Mellon - Low Reach (High Reach if Computer science), Duke - Reach. Please chance me back! http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1796275-what-do-you-think-of-my-chances-are-at-these-universities.html#latest Good luck!

4

You’re a good competitor. These selective schools are reaches for anybody really. All you can do is apply well and hope for the best

5

Edit to previous post: I meant to say do not submit SAT unless a school requires it.

6

@Jarrett211 That’s bad advice. He should submit both. A 2400 and a 36 just shows double perfection, there would be no detriment in submitting the SAT score. In fact it’s only going to help the OP.

7

@danfer91 Sorry didn’t see the junior year SAT. My bad.