Getting into a good college?

Question

I've been scared about college recently because I'm about to apply next year. I've really had my eyes set on Duke and University of Chicago.

I do a lot of things outside of school: debate team which I have won a lot of awards for, I founded and am the editor of a national magazine, I started a small organization, I'm the president of a club, first in the state for piano, been published in national magazines for photography and literature, participate in a youth leadership program, and volunteer at a bunch of places.

The only thing is, my gpa is a 3.71 unweighted, 4.5 weighted. I'm wondering if I can still get into the colleges I want (Duke, UChicago, etc.) with a low gpa?

Answer 1

3.71 isn't too bad - it's a pretty good GPA actually.  Just call the schools and ask for the current freshman student profile.  They have to give it to you (ahhh freedom of information) and it will tell you what successful candidates have in terms of GPA and SAT scores.  PS take that SAT soon.  You don't want to mess the first one up and not have time to get a better score.