Which matters more? GPA or test score?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Ohio State University
#1

<p>I had a lame teacher for one of my classes this semester, so I’m expecting a C, a B if I’m lucky, anything lower than that and I’m complaining to the school, hell, a…calm down.</p>

<p><em>Woosah</em> Okay, so, does gpa or test score matter more to OSU? I’m a transfer, from a CC in VA, and I wanted to eventually, at some point, get into OSU’s mech engineering department. At this point I’m really just concerned with getting into the Columbus campus. I don’t have to get in right away for the Mech.</p>

<p>Now, if I do REALLY good, I’ll be able to squeeze like, a 3.0 gpa out by the time I submit my application at the end of the spring semester. However, I’m hoping my ACT score will make up for that. Last time I took it, a year ago, I recieved a 24. However, I hadn’t taken math for 2 years since my Junior year of HS, and didn’t even bother to study. My 24 came mostly from the perfect score on the reading portion.</p>

<p>So, now that I’ve actually, you know, STUDIED, I should surely be able to get higher than the, what, 17 I got on the math, higher than the 24 I recieved on the grammer, and the whatever I got on science.</p>

<p>If I’m lucky, high 20’s to a 30. Now, if you’ve read this far, tell me, would that be good to get into OSU-Columbus? That’s not even looking at the Engineering program.</p>

#2

<p>Test scores and class rank are 1 and 1A. GPA secondary.</p>

#3

<p>For transfer students, it's a bit different, I believe you need a 2.0 and 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours to transfer. If you meet those requirements, Ohio State doesn't even look at your HS stuff.</p>

<p>For high school students, like sh said, it's a common misconception that GPA actually matters.</p>

<p>CLASS RANK is what matters. A 3.5 at one high school might equal a 2.5 at another high school. Ohio State compares students to their peers, taking into consideration special circumstance, competitiveness of the student's high school, and strength of their academic curriculum.</p>

<p>Don't worry so much about your GPA as finding out what your class rank and determining what you can do to fix it.</p>

<p>When I was coming into Ohio State, I really wanted into the honors program, but I was JUST out of the top 10% of my HS class. So I went to my high school counselor and determined that even one A in an AP class would do it...so I ended up taking four for good measure. I came to Ohio State, and there were students who had 4.0s, 3.9s, 4.7s, but it didn't matter, because you can't compare from one high school to another like that.</p>

<p>So as a general tip for all HS students on here, it's very difficult to try and "chance" you with a GPA. Please give class rank if you want a semi-accurate prediction.</p>

#4

<p>id say gpa.... i know people with a 3.8 and a 27 act'accepted' and a person with a 3.5 and a 29 'deferred'</p>

#5

<p>Haha, apparently someone just skipped reading my post.</p>

#6

<p>well that 3.8 would be in the top 10-20 and the 3.5 would be around the top 40 rank</p>

#7

<p>i didn't get into OSU last year but they basically told me if i had a 2.0 and 24 credits done they would just walk me in not really but that was the requirement.</p>

#8

<p>Good thing they don't look at HS stuff, my HS record is enough to make me wanna slap my momma for not slapping me to get my act together.</p>

<p>But yes, I'm a transfer student. Also, I didn't see them, but where are these essays? Would a transfer not need to make them? I could write good essays provided the questions aren't absolutely terrible.</p>

#9

<p>the essays are pretty much pointless. i dont even think they read mine, but they might have skimmed it. OSU is all about your scores, ranking, and GPA. I would worry more about that stuff, mostly probably your act score since 24 is quite low for OSU, before worrying about the essays. I wrote both of my essays to OSU in under an hour, and got into the honors college.
But, in case your wondering I think one was like, "what was the most significant event of the 20th century and why" and another was like, "if you could go to any place and time in the past where would you go and why" and a couple others (you got to choose two out of four). They were all pretty subjective. Anyway, good luck!</p>

#10

<p>Oh yes, I can easily score higher than a 24 the next time I take it. What's the "average" though, like a 27?</p>

#11

<p>idk off the top of my head.....collegeboard.com will tell u though. I would say somewhere around 26-28. But u have to remember, u don't want to shoot for average unless u got steller everything else. shoot for around 28-29 and a 3.4-3.6 and theres no way you'll get denied (i'm not saying you can't get in with lower, just those would be ideal)</p>

#12

<p>Unfortunately, the only thing in my control at this point really, is the test score. My GPA is set, and this is assuming I score nothing but A's for the next semester.</p>

<p>And yea, course ya don't want average, just wanted to get an idea though. I want high twenties, hell, maybe even a thirty, I did so bad last time I know I can score at least a 27.</p>

<p>And when you say all you need is a 2.0 osu, do you mean for like, any of the branch campuses?</p>

#13

<p><and when="" you="" say="" all="" need="" is="" a="" 2.0="" osu,="" do="" mean="" for="" like,="" any="" of="" the="" branch="" campuses?="">
huh? i never said that....i don't think....
but no columbus campus 2.0 wouldn't cut it, but it would for the branch campuses.
Yea, i'd say if you got 27+ you wouldnt have to sweat it much....</and></p>

#14

<p>No, OSU funguy said the 2.0. I obviously would want to aim for the columbus campus.</p>

#15

<p>Man, honestly, looking at these ACT/SAT study guides, I honestly don't think I'm cut out for engineering. I don't have the chops in math. NOt to say that I couldn't become skilled at it, but, honestly, it's not much fun. I've only looked at it because the pay upon graduation is good, and that is surely not a good way to decide upon major.</p>

<p>I'd flunk out in a matter of days after I dropped all my classes. Yea, I might take the old standard and do Business. Because this lol, this does not look fun.</p>

#16

<p>The transfer application is pretty basic...</p>

<p>here's the admission criteria...</p>

<p><a href="http://transfer.osu.edu/TransAdmissioncriteria.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://transfer.osu.edu/TransAdmissioncriteria.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>The transfer requirements last year were pretty simple, I'm not sure if they've changed it. I would call the admissions office at 292-3980 and ask to speak with a counselor.</p>

#17

<p>Thanks. I seriously don't know if I should even try engineering. Math has never been my best subject, though I know I can do better on the ACT, how much better? Who knows.</p>

<p>Thing is, Business just seems so...generic. Like, I'm not sure how the job market looks at a business major who is a dime a dozen.</p>

#18