How to Get Admitted Into a College With a Low GPA
- 1). Take the SAT or ACT and try for the highest score you can get. Eat and sleep on a good schedule before the exam and consider enrolling in a test preparation program. Getting a high score on one of these exams will help to offset your low GPA and show that you are able to do college-level coursework.
- 2). Ask for strong letters of reference. Strong letters of reference will help the admissions committee get a better idea of your abilities and qualities. Ask teachers who have been the most supportive during high school or a guidance counselor to write a letter explaining why your GPA is not an accurate reflection of your academic ability. You may also want to ask a supervisor, a coach, a youth group leader or pastor or other important people in your community to write a letter of reference that highlights other strengths you have demonstrated during high school. For example, having worked a job or taken care of an ill family member during high school can help explain why your GPA is lower than it otherwise might have been.
- 3). Gain valuable life experience and participate in extra-curricular activities. Colleges want a diverse student population because this enriches the classroom. Consider gaining different kinds of experience through volunteer opportunities, learning a foreign language, playing sports, spending time in another country or working a part-time job. Share your accomplishments and activities in you personal statement to show how your life experiences and perspective will enhance the student population and college.
- 4). Apply to several colleges or universities. Research college admissions requirements and make a list of the ones you are interested in. Rank each school based on how difficult you think your chances are of getting accepted. It is a good idea to apply to one to two schools from your list that fit the following categories: highly competitive schools, moderately competitive schools and easy to get into schools.
- 5). Write an appeal, if necessary, to protest the school's admissions decision. Students who are denied admission because they do not meet the school's minimum requirements can often file an appeal. The admissions letter should detail the appeal process, but if it doesn't, call the admissions office and ask about the process. Typically, students admitted through the appeals process are initially placed on probation and are given specific requirements they must meet within the first year to be removed from probation.
- 6). Enroll in a community college or other undergraduate program that accepts students with lower GPAs and do your best at the school during the first year. Apply to other schools you originally were interested in as a transfer student.
