Getting accepted into good colleges

[felix45]

ok, I watched on TV a while ago a feature story about 2 girls, one got a 3.9GPA and wasn't accepted into Texas A&M (some good texas school, I think that one) and another got a 3.5 and was accepted.

What happened was the one w/ the 3.9 went to a better, more competitive school, got better grades, but still didn't get to go to college.

(oh, and just so you know, they both did the same amount of activities, 3 each)

The other, got a 3.5, made the top 10% in her school, and was automaticly accepted.

Now, do you see the problem? I know I do.

Here's the situation for me.
I have a 4.126, and barely made the top half for my school (Colleyville Heritage High School). I am begining to get a bit afraid, because of this story. The colleges say they look at what school you went to and such, but I'm begining to believe that is a load of BS. If it comes to it, I might even move to some hick town where I could easily make the top 10%.

So, I would like you to discuss, is it fair for people who might not have even tried throughout school, got a GPA that is a bit more than half of what you would need to get into the top 10% at competetive schools, and still get an easy in at a good state college?

I will tell you what I think, I sure as hell think that it's bloody unfair. I hate that system, and it's going to screw me over soon, I know it. I wish they would just go back to the way it used to be...

[Maesh]

It's all in the ACT scores... I have a 3.7 (taking difficult courses, unweighted), but I've been accepted to Savannah College of Art and Design and University of Louisville (full ride) over ppl that have much better GPAs than me... So focus on getting up ur ACT or SAT scores...

[Rain Dancer]

im saying you should come to massachusetts all the good colleges are there or most

[Cloud Clone01]

Maesh

It's all in the ACT scores... I have a 3.7 (taking difficult courses, unweighted), but I've been accepted to Savannah College of Art and Design and University of Louisville (full ride) over ppl that have much better GPAs than me... So focus on getting up ur ACT or SAT scores...

I agree here. I only made a 3.2 GPA. but because of a jazz scholarship, financial aid, and ACT score, I have a full ride to the best college in OK befitting what I want to do. Also, try going to a college that has the best resources for what you want to do, instead of just being the best all-around. That usually helps out alot.

[RagnarokOfAngels]

Maesh

It's all in the ACT scores... I have a 3.7 (taking difficult courses, unweighted), but I've been accepted to Savannah College of Art and Design and University of Louisville (full ride) over ppl that have much better GPAs than me... So focus on getting up ur ACT or SAT scores...

It seems like that's mainly what colleges are looking for are the ACT and SAT scores. I had a 3.2 GPA in high school but an excellent grade my my SAT (can't remember what, exactly, but I got full scholarship my first year before I transferred because of it and an essay that I had to write).

[kumo mekeshi]

around here in indiana. It's all about these in collages.

moderatly good grades
MONEY!
and induality. if you stick out here and have money and at least a 2.8-4.0 your getting in.

[Kilseo]

ur afraid with a over a 4.0?

[Rithor-Cho-Qichi]

?
I'm barely passing my honors classes with d's, but stanford sent me a letter accepting me into their summer school program and I didn't even apply.

[Flake]

You really shouldn't be worrying, especially with a good GPA and SAT score.

Just curious: what is your unweighted GPA?

[walkingundine]

A number of factors are considered when a student applies to colleges. You've rattled off most of the big ones- GPA, elective classes and extracurriculars, standardized tests, and how intense the high school was. But you've neglected to consider two key factors. Essays and interviews are incredibly important. How you present yourself in writing and in person are just as important as transcripts and grades; they're likely how the kids in your example distinguished themselves from one another.

[Scarele]

Well, I know it also depends on how the college ranks your school. I know that one major university in my state ranks the two major high schools in our city different. Mine is usually pretty decent, because the students that get accepted there usually have the same GPA as seniors there when they were a senior in high school. The other high school is more of an inflated GPA, so after four years of college, their GPA is lower than when they were seniors in high school.
So, maybe it's a combination of GPA, inflation, activities, classes and the like?

[Deformography]

Colleges also take your test scores, what your extracurriculars were, volunteer hours, and some other stuff into account. Most people get screwed over by the system at least once in their lifetime, its the way of life.

[Your Desired Login Name]

felix45

ok, I watched on TV a while ago a feature story about 2 girls, one got a 3.9GPA and wasn't accepted into Texas A&M (some good texas school, I think that one)

A&M is a good school. But UT's better. A&M is one of the biggest chains of colleges in Texas so it probably depends on which campus she applied to.