DD is a rising senior and is looking at colleges like Univ. of Richmond, Tulane, BU, GWU, etc. and hoping for a little merit aid. I have been reading lots of threads about this on CC and one common statement is that college admissions value higher GPAs over higher test scores. My DD and I have been on college tours this summer and the same information is given - that GPAs are more important in the admissions process because GPAs show multiple years of work, etc.
My DD is concerned because she is a "middle" GPA kid (UW 3.5) with high stats (2240 SAT, 1500 CR+M, 5s on her three APs, Nat'l Merit commended). She does not have a grade below B and a good upward trend. She is a hard worker. I know that admissions also look at students within the context of their school (heard that in every single info session!) but yet I read on CC and elsewhere that students like my daughter are often considered "slackers" because of the disconnect between the GPA and test scores. This is not the case with her but she is worried that colleges will see that UW 3.5 and not give her application another look.
She has friends at other high schools in the area and at those schools, students can re-take tests, re-do assignments, take summer classes, etc. to improve their GPA. In addition, those schools offer honors for almost every subject starting in freshman year (e.g. honors English, honors orchestra, etc.).At her school, none of that is available. Her school doesn't rank and also doesn't provide GPA distribution on their school profile so she isn't sure where she is in relation to her classmates. She knows she is not in the top 10% but maybe top 20% (class of approx. 100).
Any advice on colleges that may value higher stats/lower GPA? Thanks!
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