Low GPA, what are my chances of getting into colleges like boston university or johns hopkins?

Question

I have heard of a story that a guy had a very low GPA, but his application essay was what that made him get into Harvard.

Well, I have a low GPA but I really want to try and prove that I can do very well in college by entering the Johns Hopkins Summer program. I have some extra-curriculars:
Badminton training (won 1st place ladies doubles- Divsion D)
Joined a Badminton club in 2006 (help win a inter-club league)
Go to a social every Saturday night to play fun Badminton
Vice-Captain of the Softball Team
Piano Recitals/ Theory- Currently in Grade 5 practical and grade 2 theory-got a distinction in grade 1 theory and a merit in grade 1 practical
Volunteered to Model at a function
Self Learned and voluneered to play the drums at own Graduation
Volunteered to work at a restaurant for 11 hrs a day for 1 month in the summer
Helped cater for the senator of the USA party in Jamaica

What are my chances?

Answer 1

All of these activities would be great if your GPA were good, but you have so many activities that with a low GPA, most admissions people would think that you had your priorities wrong and didn't care about academics while doing all these other things. I don't know what you consider to be a low GPA, and it makes a big difference, but my guess is that you will have trouble getting into what are quite selective schools as a freshman. All is not lost, however, because if you go elsewhere for two years and do well, you should be able to transfer to the school of your choice.

Answer 2

A john hopkins representative came ot my school to talk about their admissions process and examples of students they accepted, denied and waitlisted. To tell you the truth they look really heavily on grades and standardized tests. Also if your grades are weighted, they only consider the unweighted grades as your real GPA Especially since you go to a community college, theyy would expect at least a 4.0 GPA, although it does osmewhat depend on the strength of your courses. I would really try to work towards a higher GPA, because remember you will be competeing against other potential transfer students, and someone will always have a better GPA than you. ( i mean this in a general way, not you specifically) i wish you the BEST of luck.. i am going thourgh the application process for colleges as well... its sucks! YOU WILL GET IN!!!

Answer 3

It depends on a lot of factors. How low exactly is your GPA? How well did you do on your standardized tests? If you can pull up your grades toward the ends of your high school career, it will show the admissions people that you are on an upswing. You should definitely apply. The worst that can happen is that they say no. Also, check out www.princetonreview.com If you register for an account, you can fill out a quiz and use the counselor-o-matic. Then, you can look up the profiles of all of the different colleges and it will tell you your chances of getting in and if it is a good fit based on the quiz you took. I'm graduating this year and that web-site helped me find my college!

Answer 4

No one with a low GPA got into Harvard, unless his daddy was filthy rich.

What I recommend for you is community college. Start there. Work hard. Get a good GPA. Then after a year or two, apply to a bigger university. Then you'll have all you listed above AND a good GPA, plus you will have some evidence that you are college material.

Good luck!

Answer 5

It was possible to be admitted to boston university or johns hopkins. They see ur extra-curricular record, to make up for ur low gpa. Give it a go, see if u make the mark!!

Answer 6

Take the SAT and ACT and show them some standardized test scores that show you are very bright. If you score very high it will seriously help your case, a lot more than your badminton will.