How to Compensate for a Low Weighted GPA
As you finish out our junior year of high school your focus lands on college applications. With three years of grades under your belt, there is little you can do to
increase your weighted GPA before applications are due. Fortunately, there are several other factors in admissions decisions that can be improved on a shorter timeframe.
Join extracurricular activities
Find an activity at school that you enjoy. Whether it is debate, cheerleading, athletics, or bullriding, participate in an activity that rounds out your skills. These activities will show the admissions committees that you are more than just an academic.
Improve your test scores
If your ACT or SAT scores are not high enough to be competitive at your target schools, consider retaking the tests. Check with your schools to see how they handle multiple test scores. Many will just take the highest score received. Others may average your scores. A higher standardized test score will get your application noticed, which gives you the opportunity to move on to your essays and interviews.
Practice your essay writing and interviewing skills
Your GPA, class rank, and test scores are just one piece of your initial profile. Schools usually use GPA and ACT/SAT scores to screen out the first group of applicants. Then they use your personal skills as a second screen. By writing thought-provoking essays, you can showcase your ability to add a unique perspective to the student body.
Increase your strength of schedule
In the same way that a college football team can increase its potential rankings by playing better teams, you should increase the difficulty of your remaining classes before you submit your applications. This shows the admissions committee that you are pushing yourself. When you show that you can succeed in AP and honors classes, you prove that you are ready for the rigor of college.