Is GPA or SAT more important to colleges?

Answer 1

Let me begin by saying that both are important and if you are looking at a specific college, I suggest you get in touch with their admissions department to find out what they have to say.

Having said that, most colleges would rather someone challenge themselves, at least marginally, rather than simply having a high GPA.

They would usually prefer you take a few AP and Pre-AP classes and get a B in one or two than take all blow-offs and make all A's. However, you should NOT fail an AP or Pre-AP class. If you are in jeopardy of failing, level down, but always discuss this with your teacher first.

Answer 2

Here are some opinions:

• Better grades because even if you have a class that you like and get bad grades that's going to lower your average down and might even fail the subject or that specific class.

• Both are important, but the entire purpose of education is to learn, so it is better to have better classes. You can always study harder and pay extra close attention in class to get the better grades. You cannot control poor classes.

Answer 3

A good GPA shows that you have worked consistently over a long period of time. College takes many years to complete, so it is important to show that you are willing to work through the program.

A good SAT score will help the school figure out the quality of your high school education (not all schools and 4.0 GPAs are equivalent). If you score 650 on your SAT, but have a 4.0 GPA, something is wrong.