GPA

[chriscross92]

it seems like i've got everything working for me except the most important thing, GPA. Granted my schedule has accelerated or AP classes in each of my core subjects (Except English) my unweighted GPA is a 3.3, school doesnt do class rank and im a Jr. My SAT/ACT scores will put me above most candidates and ive got a ton of leadership showings/athletic accolades, but can I even have a decent chance with those grades?

 

[titan2010]

I'm also a junior with a somewhat similar situation. I've come to believe from the info I've gathered over the past few years that GPA is not the most important thing even after class rank. SAT/ACT scores are 2nd to class rank, so having quality scores will definitely help.

Also, just because your school won't tell YOU your class rank, does not mean your school won't tell USMA your class rank. My counselor told me it's against strict district policy to even hint at class rank, yet a candidate for the class of 2013 with a different counselor was given approximations (top 10%, top 20%, etc.).

Most importantly, don't give up. GPA does matter. Just not in the school-specific 3.4535 out of 7/5pi way (hopefully, my poor hyperbole of an example got across the idea that GPA is just too arbitrary and unstandardized to really count for USMA). Try to focus on the transcript itself. Emphasize challenging courses with success and also strive to simply show improvement where you feel you have come up short in the past.

Take the SAT/ACT as many times as you can stand and/or afford. Then take them both two more times.

Hope this helps, but take my word with the grain of salt that I'm also a junior and have no more concrete knowledge than what I've gathered on this forum.

 

[Just_A_Mom]

West Point does not look at the GPA, per se. They will completely evaluate your transcripts and examine the courses that you took, the level of the course and the grade that you earned.
West Point understands that GPA's vary widely from school to school. If you are taking rigorous courses - i.e. Honor's and/or AP (or IB), and challenging math and science courses that is all considered.
Some schools that don't rank will provide a percentile rank, i.e. top 10%, top 20% or an estimation. This shows how well you do among your peers in your school.

Definitely take the SAT and ACT - if your grades are B's instead of A's this can really help.

Don't forget - West Point looks at the whole student - your academic record, athletic and leadership activities.
Do NOT allow a GPA of a 3.3 keep you from applying.

 

[BlackKnight2013]

it seems like i've got everything working for me except the most important thing, GPA. Granted my schedule has accelerated or AP classes in each of my core subjects (Except English) my unweighted GPA is a 3.3, school doesnt do class rank and im a Jr. My SAT/ACT scores will put me above most candidates and ive got a ton of leadership showings/athletic accolades, but can I even have a decent chance with those grades?

Yo chriscross, I say you have a great shot at getting into west point, its my opinion that they truly want leaders not just academic book worms. I have a 3.2 unweighted gpa and thought i didnt have a shot. But you sound a lot like like me. I had the high SATs, 97th percentile in math, leadership, president of student council, n athletics varsity basketball, baseball, captains in both and im USMA class of 2013. So if you really want to go to USMA go for it, show them your a leader.

 

[chriscross92]

thanks alot everyone. ive never wanted anything so this bad so i should just go for it. hopefully coach lott will want me on his team enough to have a pull in admissions