Hello everyone! I've always dreamed of going to a specific Ivy League school, but my GPA and test scores are slightly lower than their average admitted student. Is it worth applying, or should I focus on more realistically attainable schools? Thank you!
Hello! I understand your concern about applying to your dream Ivy League school, but please remember that admissions decisions are not solely based on GPA and test scores. There are other factors, such as extracurricular activities, leadership roles, community service, unique talents, and personal essays, that play a significant role in the admissions process. These factors can help to make up for slightly lower-than-average GPA and test scores.
Speaking from experience, my child was accepted into an Ivy League school despite having a slightly lower GPA than the average for that institution. They had a unique background, participated in extracurricular activities, and wrote a compelling personal essay, which likely helped to make their application stand out.
So, my advice would be to still apply to your dream school but also, make sure to apply to other schools that align more with your academic profile. In the end, where you go is less important than what you make of your experience. Don't count yourself out, and make sure you're presenting your best possible application! Good luck!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.