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How much emphasis is put on GPA/Class rank

H

Hawkeyeryn

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Joined
Mar 9, 2005
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For college admissions? I mean, I'm sure it varies greatly from college to college. I just have this intense fear that I'm not going to get into college because my grades were shit this year (I took 3 AP classes and a difficult math course). Sophomore year, my GPA was about 3.65. Junior year is probably low 3.0 weighted (total avg. was shit, like 79.9, but with 3 AP classes weight AVG is ~85). SAT scores: 640 Math 640 Reading (1280) with 570 on the essay. AP Chemistry grade: 4 AP U.S. History Grade: 4

Was on varsity crew team in 10th and 11th grade and soccer in 9th and 10th grade with some clubs. EDIT: I forgot to add I do community service 4 hours a week helping the developmentally disabled lead a fufilling life. I've also got some CS hours baking pies and shit for old people.

Obviously my test scores show my academic ability more than my grades/class rank, I know it's probably a dumb question to ask but how do you think my chances of getting into a decent uni are? I'll be applying in the fall. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!
 
Most schools will look at your test scores and rigorous courseload and will be begging you to attend.

The most highly selective schools will see that you're not in the top 10% of your class and did average on the essay section of the SAT.

So it all depends on where you have your hopes set on going. Letters of recommendation and essays will also play a factor.
 
Hey. Thanks alot for the responses! I'm looking at SUNY Buffalo (University at Buffalo, www.buffalo.edu/ ) But my first choice college is Stony Brook (http://www.stonybrook.edu/) which is a great school and nationally recognized. The only problem is that on their admissions page they state a minimum GPA of 88 (B+) is required for admission or something along those lines. Since my GPA is probably a bit lower than this, do you guys think they still might give me a chance? Thanks for any replies!

Oh, forgot to add, SAT Chemistry score was 700. I plan to go to school for chemistry so I hope this helps them see my dedication to this subject.
 
Last edited:
rashandreflex said:
where are you and what schools are you looking at?
Click to expand...


Sorry for the double-post, I'm in Buffalo, NY. Definitely looking to go to a NY college. Or possibly one in Massachusets, though my admission chances are significantly higher applying to an in-state institution.
 
i browsed those two sites quickly, and i couldn't find the middle 50% SAT scores for either school. my quess would be that yours would fall on the higher end. at this point, your gpa is what it is. concentrate on writing a good essay...getting kick-ass teacher recs...do try to include something about how chemistry is your interest. you might want to consider retaking the SAT in october if you could prepare more between now and then. the school is not going to automatically throw your app out because your GPA is slightly lower than their 'minimum' esp if the rest of your app is compelling....but even if they don't throw it away automatically, they ma not accept you. college admissions are so arbitrary. if i were you,i'd hedge my bets and apply a lot of places. i wouldn't worry, though...your numbers sound decent...you will be abe to attend college.
 
Hey. For UB, I found this:


In Fall 2006, the mean high school average of accepted students was 91 percent and the mean SAT score (critical reading and math) was 1195.


For reference, my score is 1280.


For Stony Brook, I found this:

The average SAT scores are: 586 Critical Reading; 623 Math Reasoning (No average is available as of yet for the Writing component of the SAT).
 
so basically your SAT scores are a bit better and your grades are a bit worse (though you can't tell whether the students took difficult courses in high school.) remember if 91% is the average, half of the admitted students had lower GPAs than that and while no standard deviation is given, i would venture a guess that a sizeable portion of the class (20%? maybe more?) had GPAs of 85% or lower.

but bantering about the numbers is almost useless...predicting whether a college will admit you is impossible...you might as well just ask the magic 8 ball. all you can do is apply to a lot of schools, try to get your numbers as high as you can, and make your application as fine-tuned as possible. do you have a college counselor at your school?i would go talk to him/her since he/she knows more about your situation, and he/she can put a good word in for you at your top choices. as i said before, you sound like a decent candidate, and you'll probably get into a decent school.
 
I am a biochemistry junior at Stony brook. Your gpa won't comprimise your application. My highschool record was not so great but my SAT scores were good, and I had a reccommendation from an alumni. They accept alot of new students, they are growing rapidly.

Just to warn you, the chemistry program at stony is no joke. I am a premed student, so I have been through it, and its no cake walk. If you enjoy your field you will learn alot, and be taught by some of the best proffessors in your field.

Hit me up if you end up at Stony Brook, I would be glad to show you around/help you meet important people, etc.
 
i got accepted to stony brook with less than an 88 average, I also had a bunch of AP courses on my transcript. I also had friends who had to do additional things just to get in when their averages were higher than mine so its not all about the gpa.
 
I went to SUNY at Buffalo with a GPA in the low 3's, and zero extra curricular activities.. but I had a compensating SAT score. I had to write an essay petitioning to get in, and they accepted me. Too fucking cold though- finishing up in Florida :)
 
i was bottom quarter in grades and rank, but I did well on the SAT's and had my bosses write letters of recommendation... im doin well i got in
 
Undergrad:

It varies, but the overall trend is toward heavy emphasis. The story that your grades tell can be modified/complicated by exceptional (or exceptionally bad, lol.) test scores, coursework, etc. Statement of purpose and letters of recommendation matter, but less-so at most places.

Grad:

Grades are perhaps tertiary or quaternary (or less) in importance, perhaps on equal footing with the GRE.

What matters most:

Statement of purpose
letters of rec'

I'm not sure to what degree samples of your written work, difficulty of courseloads, research experience, prestige of your undergrad institution, etc. play in.

(This applies mostly to social science.)

ebola
 
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