The colleges that I am looking into are:\n\nFordham University\nEmerson College\nHofstra University\nEmmanuel College\nUniversity of Connecticut\nUniversity of Denver\n\nMy SAT scores are a 1200-something (out of 1600), I am the Senior Editor and the FOUNDER of the school newspaper, and I know that I will write an absolutley killer essay. I am in Honors English classes.\n\nThe only problem is my grades. My GPA is usually like a 2.4, or something like that. One time my GPA was a 1.4!\n\nI am a Junior in high school, so I don't have much time left.\n\nDo I have a shot at getting into these school?\n\nThanks for your help!
202471
Well, I don't know the policies and practices of the particular colleges to which you are applying. What colleges look for, though, is evidence that you can succeed in college. Having good SAT scores (which you do) suggests that you have ability to succeed in college. That you are involved in some honors classes, that you are involved in some activities outside the classroom that indicate responsibility, is great. \n\nNow, what we are worried about when we see a student with good SAT scores and low GPA is that they are smart but lazy or otherwise unmotivated. So, to get in the door of college you need to explain in a cogent way why your grades are so poor, and explain it in a way that shows colleges that whatever is the issue now won't affect you in college (or you've come up with a way to resolve the issue). The really tough part is to make sure that your application is read, as some schools use grades and SAT scores to make the first cut in considering applications. There are some schools that read all applications, no matter what the credentials are. So, look for these schools to apply to.\n\nFinally, you can always go to a community college for a year or two and transfer. Get very good grades, get to know faculty who can write you great recommendations, and you can go to a great school.\n\nOh, and yes, get very good grades the rest of your high school career.....
416719
Yeah, they obviously don't know what the new SAT test is :)  Wasn't that horrible???  It is sooooooooooo long.  Anyway, there are a lot of good schools that you could get into - you did a TON of extracurricular work, so you should make that the backbone of your application.  Apply to your state's main public school as a backup (or not, some are really very good).  Apply to Loyola University of Chicago.  I applied there when I was a senior, and I know that they LOVE extracurricular work and volunteerism.  I read that you want to go into law, so it MIGHT help to go to a school that has a law school, but it really doesn't usually make a difference (that's what I've heard at least).  Best of luck!!!
615784
Harvard.  Oxford.  La Creme de la creme.  It sounds like you have the grades.  Wealth is NOT an issue (Harvard is excellent at handing out financial aid).  \n\nSo, you have a shot in terms of grades.  But Ivy League schools (I went to Princeton, and was accepted at Yale) and Oxford are not just looking for grades; if that were so, you would have NO chance (because they routinely receive enough applications with averages at 100%, or over 4.0, and SAT scores in the 1580 range) that they could fill the class with just those people.  So grades are NOT the only criteria.  But if you don't have very good grades (looks like you do, though) you won't even truly be considered for admission.\n\nYou must do something OTHER than be a good student.  You must have a passion (other than getting into Oxford or Harvard) in life that you have done something about.  Sports...play rugby?  Soccer?  Music...play an instrument well?  Community service: have you done something for your community of note, like volunteer at a shelter?  Go look at Harvard's website (listed below) and look at their admissions FAQ's.  See what they have to say.  \n\nGood luck!
441738
Sorry, Your stats are not bad, but they don't come close to matching up with Princeton or the other top schools. I don't think you have any chance there.\n\nWhen I sat in on an admissions talk there last summer the counselor said that nearly all of their students were either the top or one of the top five students in their class at HS. They all took lots of AP courses and got A's. They have SAT scores that average over 2200. In other words, they are the best students in the USA.  And of course, they all have amazing extracurriculars. \n\nA 3.3 is only just barely average for US High Schools. So you should be looking at schools that match your level. \n\nIf you go to the websites of most colleges they have a section where they give the average SAT and ranks in class for their students. Try to find a good school where the kids match your numbers. There are LOTS of really good, respectable schools. If you like the atmosphere and kind of place that Princeton is in, you might look at Trinity College in Hartford, or Gettysburg College in PA. And there are lots more good schools to check out....
524423
I'm a freshman in TX and I am thinking about going there, so yeah. Okay Texas has a law where if you are in the top 10% of your high school then colleges have to accept you... something like that. Anyway, I know that UTA often times doesn't even have room to accept all of the top 10% that apply, so if you don't live here... I pretty sure that chances are slim... I know that they have a website though so you should check it out. I think what I have told you is pretty acurate.
645283
If you're a good hockey player, you could get a scholarship to Brown, maybe...\n\nNo one outside of Brown/NW can tell you your chances. Talk to admissions officers, graduates, alumni, etc. Go ahead and apply to those two, as well as a couple other backups. Many schools place great emphasis on the required essay (even more than grades), so a great essay may help you more than all your A's.
12051
I'd check the schools' websites or contact the admissions office. Generally, though, take the tests right after you take a class (like the math tests after or during your highest level math class) and take tests that accentuate what you're already good and and what you're interested in. For example, I took writing (before it was part of the new SAT), Spanish language, and Math (both the easy and hard ones) because I wanted to major in either writing or Spanish at the time and was pretty good at math, too. Good luck!
158727
It looks for what many of the other top schools look for:\n1.) Academic GPA\n2.) Rigor of your couseload\n3.) Board scores\n4.) Extracurriculars\n5.) Essay\n6.) Recommendations from Teachers\nYou don't have to be perfect in each criteria...a high GPA could probably compensate for a slighly lower SAT score\nhowever, there's going to be a lot of people with amazing extracurriculars, and excellent grades and SAT scores...the main thing is to stand out from other people\nwrite really good essays, and show your passion. if Princeton's your top school, you might want to consider applying Early Decision.\nGood luck!
481010
There's some interesting answers here. I'm a current student at Harvard, so I'll try to elaborate.\n\n1) What about everything else? Scores don't get people into Harvard. Promise, talent, and passions do. I know people with rather low scores that got in because they are the best in what they do, and people with perfect scores that didn't because they had nothing else that was interesting about them.\n\n2) GPA. What's it out of? If it's out of 4.0, is it possible at your high school to get higher than a 4.0 through Honors or AP classes? If it's an unweighted 3.9 / 4.0 (all As = 4.0), then that's a great GPA. If it's a weighted 3.9 / 4.0 (AP and Honors As = 5.0), then it's decent. If it's out of 5.0, I'm not so sure about Harvard...\n\n3) SAT. What's it out of? 2400? 1600? If it's out of 1600, that's great score, well within the average range at Harvard. If it's out of 2400, I'm sorry...unless you have some spectacular extracurricular accomplishments, it will be extremely difficult to get in. \n\nGood luck, and feel free to update the question so I can provide you with a better response.
407966
Every college you talk to, they will tell you that your high school transcript is the most important part of your application. The SAT or ACT is definitely secondary. \n\nWhat do you mean by "good college" There are 2000 colleges in the USA. The top 20 or so are extremely competitive, but the rest are not very competitive. Look at the acceptance rates for lots of the colleges in the top 100 US News rankings and you will find lots of them that accept over 50% of applicants. \n\nIf you have an average of 650 or so on your college board tests, and a GPA of 3.5 or so, you can get into any but the most selective schools. You should be thinking about WHICH school is going to fit you better. City or country? Big or small? North, South, East or West? Public or private? There is a lot of info about this at your local library and online. You can check every school you're interested in and see the stats for their last class.... SAT's, rank in class, number admitted... almos every college has this on line.
439759
Congrats to your friend for sticking with it.  I hope she can work to get that GPA up to a 90 or better.  I would think she should definitely try for a "good college"  - her trials and determination should make a great essay topic and might just leverage her into a better school. \n\nYour friend might have to get started at the community college level, however.  Once she has a few solid college credits they become a transfer and age and high school history don't matter nearly as much.\n\nShe needs to know that the SAT or ACT are just as important as good grades in getting into college.  \n\nAgain, please give your friend a big hug for having such determination.  She's the kind of person we need around here!
201680
It really is never too soon, in my opinion, to start thinking about college.  Most colleges look at your overall gpa which accumulates over all four years of high school.  If you are thinking about some of the more prestigious universities, you should keep in mind that extra curriculars are important too.  If you participate in a lot of activities (sports, clubs, etc.) and still manage a good gpa, you'll have no problem getting into a good school!
534204
I think you are on the bubble, probably just below the bubble actually. And it isnt good that you had to have someone else write your essay!\n\nIf you get accepted, you are going to be in class with mostly students who are much better academically than you - about 30% of BU students scored over 700 on their SATs and had HS GPAs more like 3.6 or 3.7. And they wrote their own essays without help. So, for the next four years you will have to compete against them. \n\nWhy dont you go for a college where the students are more on your own level and the faculty won't shake their heads and wonder how you got in! I'm not being mean - I'm thinking about how you can choose a college that is really the right one for you!
638074
Take a deep breath and enjoy the summer.  You are obviously a driven individual.  The classes you are taking are good as wellas your involvement in sports.  Maybe spend some time this summer developing a community service resume.  Don't be scattered in your approach.  Find one item that you can work with and get in depth knowledge.  Use this knowledge on your college essay.\n\nAlso, whether you get into these schools or not will not matter or not many years from now.  Sometimes when God closes a door he opens a window.  My son did not get into his first choice.  He went to a fine small liberal arts school and studied religion and history (instead of the "big name" school where he would have studied business).  He had a wonderful 4 years, met many nice people, was able to continue to play Div 3 sports all 4 years and graduated with a history honorarium.  Also has a job if he wants but I think he'll continue and get a masters degree.\n\nHis small school was located in Ohio and many students go there as pre med or pre dentist.  \n\nThere is a place for everyone and life's too wonderful to stress over this.  Senior year will be long enough.  Do apply early decision to get the waiting over with!!
15251
Not necessarily. Many colleges look at both your overall gpa and your last two years gpa. So, hopefully you will do very well this year and next year. Remember that you only have two more semesters to get grades before most applications are due (you have this spring's grades and next fall's grades) so it is critical that you do well. \n\nRemember, that gpa is one very important factor in admissions, but most colleges also want you to have high SAT or ACT scores, so you need to prepare for doing well on this test. You can study for it, and I like to have people study for it by buying a bunch of practice tests and taking a practice test a week for 8-12 weeks. Take a test, score it, and then look up every item you got wrong. Then repeat. You should see your scores improving.\n\nFinally, colleges really do want to see that you have some significant interests within and outside of school. So, you also need to show that you have leadership potential, or talent, or community impact. Clubs, hobbies, and community service can all be a part. \n\nFinally, you really need to be able to do a good personal statement. It probably would be helpful to address your poor grades, why you had them and what you learned about yourself so that you could turn it around. Be able to address your values and why you and the school you are applying to are a good match. \n\nHang in there, do well, and remember that college applications are multifaceted.
597944
I am an alumnus of CAU.  It's not going to be extremely hard to get into CAU (not to mistaken for easy because by no means is it easy).  If you seem like the average high school student with some extra curricular activities and a half descent SAT or ACT score, you should be ok.  I would aim for a B- (2.66 and above) average and a score in the 960-1050 SAT and 18-22 ACT score range.  With that range, I got into CAU, Hampton University, Johnson C. Smith University and Florida A&M University (the only schools I applied to).  \n\nDo not wait until the last minute to apply to any school.  Right now is a great time to collect the applications and know their requirements and which essays you will have to write.  The best way to know when to send off the application is to check the cut off date.  I would send them off around Thanksgiving and at the latest Christmas so that the second half of your senior year is dedicated to waiting for the letters to roll in instead of stressing over deadlines.\n\nYou're going to have at least 2 issues with any HBCU's financial aid office (including CAU)- slow and unorganized.  Whatever you do, fill out whatever you need early.  And if you're having any complications, visit and call often.  Make sure they know who you are from 20 paces.  But I have to stress that these people are under a lot of pressure and it's best if you're nice but firm with them.  They are cursed out almost every semester by students and parents alike.  Just go in with an open mind.\n\nThe most important thing you need to be worried about is if the school is going to nurture your major interest.  I fell in love with North Carolina A&T but their Journalism department was a wing of their English department when I visited WAY back in '99.  Plus, the school's major focus is toward science and technology.  At CAU, their Mass Media Arts department is always one of the top three majors at the University.  CAU's interest was my interest and that's why I chose CAU.  It's probably the best decision I ever made.  That should be your main concern.  Everything else will fall into place.\n\nGo Panthers!
508303
You sound like you are well on your way. I guess I only question your standardized test scores, as the highest you can get on the SAT is 1600 (EDIT: oops, forgot about the new SAT system..that it's out of 2400. This still seems rather average then scorewise)and 26 on the ACT is VERY average. The website indicates that your GPA will be recaluculated using only "UC-approved" courses from your sophomore and junior years. You may want to recalculate it yourself to determine what they will see.\n\nA good essay about how your extra-curriculars have affected you will be very useful I think!\n\nLook on the UCLA website for tips on how to write an essay they want to see and other things that will help you be a better applicant. And get the application in early! It's always better to be towards the beginning of applicants. It says on the website that applications are only accepted November 1-30 of the year before you wish to attend... so get hopping!