Gaining College Admission Despite Low GPA

In summary: They will usually tell you what their average GPA was for the previous year's entering class. If you really don't match up, then you should probably consider taking a number of classes at a local community college and getting good grades in them. You can then transfer to a (hopefully) better school. Be advised, however, that community college classes are generally easier than classes at a four year school (as is the grading), so the grades you get there may not be as impressive to the people making admissions decisions.In summary, the best way to improve your chances of getting into a good college with a lower GPA is to excel on your SATs and also consider taking classes at a community college to improve your grades. It is
  • #1
Kushal
438
1
hi, i am in my last high school year. I will apply to college at the end of this year and i am very concerned about my GPA. i am not from mauritius and i never found it very necessary to keep my grades very high. passing averagely was ok for me. Now i am realising that this will affect my GPA. Is there any way around it?

actually, each trimester we do assessments. It's usually on a particular topic of the syllabus, and the teacher always looks for the most challenging questions. When they add up the assessments for each subject per trimester, they become average. It's not like an exam.

I work very well in the Cambridge International Exams (the best grades and top of the world in computer studies). I am in the best school of where i live (mauritius) and i am also in the best science class. I also have nice extra curricular activities,...

If i work hard on my SATs and get very good scores, do I have a chance to get into the best colleges?

and anyone knows which average(quite good) college which ain't so keen on GPA?!

thanks
 
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  • #2
I will say this - On general, colleges weigh more on SATs than GPA. when it comes to admission. As long as your GPA is not ridiculously terrible, say Below 2.0 out of 4.0 and if you could pull off a good SAT score, you still got a shot in applying for good colleges.

If you can write good essays or if you are involved in any extra curricular activities, that's a plus too.
 
  • #3
Well, from what I've seen, almost every college requires you to have at least a 3.0 gpa, and extremely good sat scores if you are to be considered for scholarships too. Is financial matter a problem for you?
 
  • #4
bah yeah i need financial aid.

i got extra curriculars like Model United Nations, Civic Action Team, prefects/student councils, science competition...

i just don't want this error of not improving my grades ruin my chance of entering into a nice college.

thanks a lot...
 
  • #5
Kushal said:
hi, i am in my last high school year. I will apply to college at the end of this year and i am very concerned about my GPA. i am not from mauritius and i never found it very necessary to keep my grades very high. passing averagely was ok for me. Now i am realising that this will affect my GPA. Is there any way around it?

actually, each trimester we do assessments. It's usually on a particular topic of the syllabus, and the teacher always looks for the most challenging questions. When they add up the assessments for each subject per trimester, they become average. It's not like an exam.

I work very well in the Cambridge International Exams (the best grades and top of the world in computer studies). I am in the best school of where i live (mauritius) and i am also in the best science class. I also have nice extra curricular activities,...

If i work hard on my SATs and get very good scores, do I have a chance to get into the best colleges?

and anyone knows which average(quite good) college which ain't so keen on GPA?!

thanks

Well, practically every respectable school looks at GPA for undergrad admissions (as others on this board have already said). There is no way "around it" unless you did very well on your SAT's, and even then, without at least an above average GPA, a lot of good schools won't touch you. I guess the real question is, just how bad is your GPA? Most schools have an admissions page on their website. I suggest you check out your prospective school's admission criteria there.
 

1. How can I improve my chances of gaining college admission with a low GPA?

In order to improve your chances of gaining college admission with a low GPA, you can focus on excelling in other areas such as standardized test scores, extracurricular activities, and personal statements. You can also consider retaking classes or enrolling in community college courses to demonstrate academic improvement.

2. Will colleges overlook my low GPA if I have a strong personal statement?

While a strong personal statement can certainly help your application, it is not a guarantee that colleges will overlook a low GPA. Admissions committees take a holistic approach to reviewing applications, so it is important to showcase your strengths in all areas, including academics.

3. Can I still get into a top college with a low GPA?

It may be more difficult to gain admission into a top college with a low GPA, but it is not impossible. It is important to focus on showcasing your strengths and addressing any extenuating circumstances that may have contributed to your low GPA. Additionally, consider applying to a mix of reach, target, and safety schools to increase your chances of acceptance.

4. Do colleges value extracurricular activities over GPA?

Colleges typically consider a combination of factors, including GPA and extracurricular activities, when reviewing applications. While a strong GPA is important, demonstrating a well-rounded skillset through extracurricular activities can also make a positive impact on your application.

5. Are there any specific test scores that can compensate for a low GPA?

While standardized test scores can certainly help compensate for a low GPA, they are not the only factor that colleges consider. It is important to achieve a balanced and competitive score, but also to focus on other aspects of your application such as essays, letters of recommendation, and extracurricular activities.

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