What is the best way to compensate for mediocre grades and test scores?
Improve the grades and re-take tests after studying.
Grades and test scores are almost always the two largest components of an application. Focusing on improving them will be a much better investment of time than trying to compensate other ways. ECs can help slightly at some schools, same with outstanding recs, but grades and scores are generally the most important part.
Some schools are test-optional which could help with a poor test-taker. Some schools ignore freshman year grades which could (if you have an upwards trend) help with a low GPA.
SOME OPTIONS:
- get recruited as an athlete
- have elite talent/recognition/celebrity
- have your parents donate a new $20 million library wing
- get adopted by the POTUS
- write a tear-jerker essay about how you, as a first-gen student, worked part-time and helped to raise 6 younger siblings while your non-documented Guatemalen immigrant single-mom worked as a hotel maid
- prep for the SAT/ACT and achieve a higher score
- pick realistic schools to apply to
Take a prep course and improve your test scores.
Work really hard and show an upward trend in your grades.
Pick a college that matches your grades/test scores.
Either your GPA/SAT really reflects your ability, and then you will do find at a college that also matches your scores, or it doesn’t and you will be a superstar there.
Look for schools that fit your GPA/test scores- don’t apply to a bunch of crazy reaches, because if you are far below the stats of admitted students, your chances of getting in are close to nil without a hook.
I’m not sure what year you are in, but you should definitely try to retake the standardized test (or maybe try the other one- SAT or ACT- and see if you do better on it) and work hard on keeping high grades for the remainder of high school.
Extracurriculars or any out of school work.