Seven Ways to Get into College with a Low GPA

For whatever reason, you are nearing the end of your high school career, and your GPA is less than respectable. Does this ruin your chances of going to college? Not necessarily. Here are seven ways to get into college with a low GPA:

Participate in a Lot of Extracurricular Activities

Although a GPA is important to most colleges, it will not be the only thing they look at when they consider whether a student should be at their school. They will consider all of the activities you pursued outside of your academics. If you proved yourself to be a valuable member of your school community by taking part in tons of extracurricular activities, you will be sought after, even if you have a low GPA. Colleges are not only looking for academics but worthwhile members to add to their community, which you will prove to be with tons of extracurricular activities.

Pursue Colleges with Low GPA Requirements

Not every college has a large GPA requirement from their applicants. Many colleges have requirements that are lower than 3.0, as these are schools that expand further beyond the scope of general education. If you want to be a mathematician, you probably will struggle, as schools that offer mathematics programs require high GPAs. But, if you want to be an artist of some kind, technical schools and art colleges require you to have a lesser GPA, as chemistry and mathematics will not matter to the curriculum of those schools.

Score Highly on Your SATs

Even more than GPAs, the most important thing on a college application is your SAT scores. This will prove that, when it is crunch time, you will deliver the goods. If you have really high SAT scores but a rather low GPA, schools are more likely to overlook the GPA due to how highly you tested. Although, if you have a low GPA, the chances that you score highly on your SATs the first time are fairly slim. You will need to go back and take them over and over. This repetition will make them easier, resulting in higher scores. This will cost more money, but it will be worth it once you get into the school you want.

Get Great Recommendations from Teachers

Everything colleges require when you apply are to gauge what type of person they are getting come the fall of your freshman year. Colleges do not want malcontents to walk into their school and do things that will lower their reputations. With a low GPA, they assume you are not as committed to your studies, which is why it can be hard to get in. But, if you can get good recommendation letters from your teachers that prove your grades are deceiving, your chances will skyrocket. This will prove you can work hard and are not a troubled child, leading to a better shot at going to the college you want.

Write a Stellar Entrance Essay

Colleges are looking for tangible evidence that you can produce and are not going to just skate by. The best way to prove that you can produce if you have a bad GPA. This will be your opportunity to show what you are passionate about and why you would be a positive influence in the community. This essay serves as a make or breaks moment for you. If you have a good GPA but bad essay, you could jeopardize your chances. On the opposite end of the spectrum, if you have a bad GPA but a great essay, you can turn around your fortunes.

Start Off with Community College

Sometimes, a university is not the right option for a student right out of high school, especially if you have a low GPA. That low GPA would indicate that some maturity needs to take place before setting off to a university. The best way to get this done would be to go to a community college, increase your grades by putting your nose to the grindstone, and prove that you belong in a university.

Give a Good, Honest Explanation as to Why You Have a Low GPA

If you impress a school with everything on your application (besides your GPA), you will earn yourself an interview with the university. If you get to this stage, undoubtedly the interviewer will ask you about why your GPA is so low. This is your opportunity to be open and honest about what has been going on. By remaining honest, you will give yourself a better opportunity of going to the school of your choice, because they will respect your honesty and want someone that takes responsibility as a leader on their campus.