TIPS FOR ASPIRING INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS WITH LOW GPA SCORES
Getting admission to an undergraduate course in a reputed university at home or overseas requires a good GPA score. Essentially, the Grade Point Average (GPA) is a scoring system that rates the academic performance of students on a scale from 1.0 to 4.0. A GPA less than 3.0 may lower your chances of getting into an acclaimed international university, but it isn’t a reason to give up hopes. You can still follow your study abroad dreams even with a low or average score. Here are some tips that can help.
IMPROVE YOUR GPA WHILE YOU CAN
If you are still in school but struggling with grades, you can consider improving them while you can. Go the extra mile with the subjects you find challenging. You can seek help from a tutor or join a study group. Be regular with your classes and assignments, never miss out on deadlines, and prepare well for exams. You will definitely crack the final scores with the additional effort.
FORTIFY THE WEAK SPOTS
Everything isn’t lost even if you have finished school. You can repeat the subjects that lowered your GPA. The sooner you take the retest, the better because things will still be fresh in your memory. You can attend tutoring classes to clear the concepts that caused your scores to dip initially.
ACE SAT OR ACT SCORES
While GPA is important, it isn’t the only yardstick to measure your actual capabilities. Acing SAT or ACT scores is a good way to make up for a low GPA. Look at scoring at least 1200 in SAT, while a 24 or higher is regarded as a good ACT score. The idea is to reach the top 25% so that you have good chances regardless of your GPA.
SHOW YOUR ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY
Another area where you can cover up is English language tests. International students who want to apply to undergraduate courses overseas need to appear for the IELTS/TOEFL exam to show language proficiency. Most schools will have minimum IELTS/TOEFL requirements, and scoring higher than the minimum makes you a promising prospect.
JOIN A PATHWAY PROGRAMME
Students looking for additional preparation to pursue a degree programme at a foreign university can join a Pathway Programme. These one-year programmes empower you with the requisite skills and confidence that you may be lack when your GPA isn’t as encouraging as it should be.
PARTICIPATE IN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Surprisingly, participating in extracurricular activities can do wonders for students aspiring to get into an international university despite mediocre academic grades. Highlight anything that you have done apart from the academics. It could be sports performances, involvement in theatre or music, volunteering or community service, or even small entrepreneurship initiatives. Hands-on work experience and internship opportunities can easily offset a low GPA. These can shine in your application and pave the way for admission to an institution of choice.
SECURE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM MENTORS AND TEACHERS
Another plus you can get for your admission profile is recommendations from mentors and teachers, as a word of praise is enough to get attention off your low scores. Request your school teachers to write recommendation letters. Academic counsellors, sports coaches, and club advisors can play the role of mentors and validate your skills and capabilities.
WRITE A COMPELLING PERSONAL STATEMENT
An impactful personal statement is another brilliant tool you can leverage to validate your acceptance to a course and university of your choice. Seek expert guidance to create a compelling write-up that highlights your skills and achievements. Explain why you are passionate about making it to the university. Be genuine with every word in your personal statement.
START AT A COMMUNITY COLLEGE
You will probably make it into a reputed university with the aforementioned ideas, but you must have a plan B. A community college may be a good alternative if your GPA still has you struggling. Community colleges offer two-year offers diplomas and transfer degrees and have comparatively relaxed admission requirements, so you can easily get through with a minimum GPA. The tuition fee is relatively lower at these higher learning institutions, and you get to interact with a diverse pool of students. You even have to option to transfer to a fully accredited university.
A low GPA score is a reason to worry if you plan to study abroad, but it isn’t the end of the world. You can still make your dream come true, provided you take the right approach and are committed enough!
