Terrible GPA, Decent SAT - Best College I Can Go To?

Chance Me / Match Me
1

I want to clarify that I’m not just drooling over colleges with the best names, I’m just asking what is the most most enriching private or state university I can go to, preferably in the North East, but elsewhere is completely fine.

I am 17, Male, Asian

I have an abysmal GPA: 3.35 UW - 3.55 W
Decent SAT score: 2330 (1560 CR + M). - First Try

AP scores are : 5 AP Bio, 4 AP English, 5 AP Comp Sci, 3 AP Stat, 5 AP Enviro. Sat Math II: 800, also SAT Bio 800.

I am Founder and Pres of my own club and we have done many projects and fundraisers. I’ve been a dedicated member to another time-consuming club, and I have a captain’s position in it. Other than that I lack clubs.

My true passion is writing, but I don’t have anything to really show for it :confused: so I don’t think they will care, but I have written a book, have been trying to get published, and am currently in the process of finding a Lit agent for publishing.

I have had severe, clincal depression for a period of multiple years which affected my GPA, but I apparently did well on my SAT because of my IQ: 150, but I don’t think they’d care for the depression and stuff as an excuse.

Even though I love writing, I want to major in Biological Sciences. I want to work as an (assistant) research scientist out of college, in conjunction with science fiction creative writing, because I love science too. But, it would be my dream to eventually write full-time as an author.

The public school I go to is 10th in the state if that has any affect whatsoever.

I know I have absolutely no chance at Ivies or other top colleges, but I’m wondering if I have a chance at schools like Rochester and NYU (maybe but I don’t think I will). Also, is it possible for me to get into the Rutgers Honors Program? Definitely not Honors College, but just the program, because they have a good Bio Sciences department.

I’m new at this so forgive me if I sound like a complete noob :stuck_out_tongue: I’m kind of intimated because everyone on this website is a genius, like " I have 45.78 UW GPA and 5000 SAT," Lol.

Thank you.

2

*effect, not affect. Sorry, I just had to

3

Well, if written about in the right light, depression can actually be something good for colleges to know about, especially if you can show how you overcame it and such. GPA is quite low, and weighted very low, but test scores are good. I’m not really sure to be honest. I think spectacular essays and such might be a deal breaker.

4

You think a 2330 SAT is decent?? Wow it’s spectacular and I think you know it. Don’t humble brag please

5

The SAT and SAT II scores are excellent. I think you should be able to get into NYU and Rochester. I would apply to some top 30 and top 50 schools also. Think you have a chance at those. Probably not at low Ivies, due to grades, lack of strong ECs, and quotas. You can also apply to some safes at a lower level than those you mention.

6

It’s so hard to predict without knowing if you are legacy anywhere? Or first gen? Full pay? pell grant? What state you are from?

If that test score is legit and you check a box you will have some schools definitely interested in you.

7

Oh, sorry. My dad did his Masters at Rutgers, and my older brother goes there in the honors program. I am not first gen because I am an immigrant family and my dad did his Bachelors in Asia and then Masters here. I’ll go for full pay, and I am from NJ.

Thanks for giving me hope guys. I was feeling so down about my ECs and GPA, and even about my test scores. Any other advice would be really helpful and if there is anything else you want to know, feel free to ask.

I am actually going to retake the SAT, though. I didn’t study as much as I could have for my first try, so I think I may be able to improve it a little if I practice harder.

8

I also just wanted to ask if you guys have any thoughts or answers on this question:

Do you think they will care or believe me if I tell them about my writing? Or will it only matter if I get officially published and copyrighted first?

9

How about Syracuse, Penn State, UMass, Stony Brook, NC State

10

Show them a short sample of your writing. Don’t just tell them about it. Also, your essays must be really well written.

In would apply to a few reaches. You could certainly try state schools like UNC, Michigan, or Berkeley. Depends on what type of school you want to go to, but you could try a few in the top 50, but not the top 20. Not sure how your application would be viewed, but I would definitely give schools a little below the Ivy level a chance to consider you.Would apply to a wide range of levels though.