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How much does GPA count?

Now, I know how openended a question this is, but let me give you the specifics in my case--

I'm talking about having very strong, "well rounded" extracurriculars, including science at the national level, music at a very high level (Metropolitan Opera related), and standard leadership positions at school, including a two year editor in chief newspaper position, among others.

Additionally, in my case, I have decent SATs (1450), an 800 writing sat ii and two other sat iis in the high 600s. I'm a part of national honor society and have won world language and oratorio-related awards.

My essays are good, I guess. That's what teachers/parents/friends are telling me. My recommendations are coming from two close teachers and one professor at Yale.

The problem is, my GPA went dooowwwwnnn junior year. I don't have a single A from junior year as my final grade, save Physical Education. Then again, they're all B+s, but this year isn't going terrifically well - I've taken all honors courses and by the end of this year, 6 APs, but I would say that I've fallen from 3rd to 15th in the class since the beginning of junior year. Also, I think I'm getting a C in calculus. Calculus is hard.

This isn't a question of my "chances" at any one place, per se; no, I just would like your opinion either on the weight of the GPA in the college admissions process or on the weight of my GPA on my college admissions process.

Also, I'm cross posting this to the chances forum. I hope you don't mind.

Thanks a lot!

By Beckygirl383 (Beckygirl383) on Saturday, October 09, 2004 - 08:30 pm: Edit

bump? bump bi-bump bi-bump bump?

By Editrix (Editrix) on Saturday, October 09, 2004 - 08:49 pm: Edit

This is probably too obvious an answer, but I think it depends on where you're applying. Your music is clearly a huge strength that will matter more to some colleges than to others.

Schools that regard themselves as extremely academic may be put off by a downward trend in your GPA. (College classes are pretty hard too, and many schools have distribution requirements that mean you'll have to study some subjects that don't come easily.) If you concentrate your efforts on colleges that have the strongest programs in music and/or science--and do what you can to pull your grades up the first semester of this year--you will give yourself the best shot.

By Yz16 (Yz16) on Sunday, October 10, 2004 - 01:36 pm: Edit

man, what a shame.
if you had grades as nice as your ECs, you'd be all set.

As it is, I hate to say that it's grades that get you considered before those fantastic ECs can get you in.

At this point, work your tail off. I think you still have a decent shot at most schools, tho as has been said, probably a less-than-decent shot at the very top/more academically minded schools.

best of luck

By Beckygirl383 (Beckygirl383) on Sunday, October 10, 2004 - 01:51 pm: Edit

thanks to both. yeah, I'm trying to work hard this year, but I just didn't get limits, and that's what hurt me.

as x approaches infinity....I approach a C for this marking period.

oy.

By Northstarmom (Northstarmom) on Sunday, October 10, 2004 - 01:58 pm: Edit

GPA counts a lot. In fact, the best predictor of college performance is gpa.

If GPA is relatively low, a strong upward trend helps a great deal. The reverse, however, hurts -- big time. Colleges do not want to accept students who already seem to have checked out of the academic experience.

WHile ECs are nice, colleges know that someone with a mediocre GPA and great ECs may do wonderfully in ECs in college, yet flunk out of college. Since colleges are in the business of graduating students, they don't want students who appear headed for failure.

What this means for you is that probably your match schools will be ones a tier below schools that match your SATs. Tier 2, not tier 1 would be matches for you. Do not expect to get into places like Ivies and Notre Dame and top flagship state universities.

Remember, your competition for the top schools are the many students who have excellent scores plus perfect grades and nationally-ranked ECs.