Should I still try? I have a low GPA but the rest of my application is outstanding

Why is your GPA so low? GPA is the most important part of your application. It shows your ability to do school work over time. High test scores and low GPA show that you are capable but not applying yourself well. Add in a lot of extracurriculars and it indicates that you are focusing on what goes on outside of school instead of in school. It looks like you are spending way too much time on your ECs and not studying.

That is not what top colleges are looking for. They want people who put school first, and then spend their extra time doing other activities. I think these schools are out of reach for you.

Self studying APs doesn’t help. It would help if you had taken APs in school and had gotten A’s in them.

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