- A1.5 GPA is equivalent to 70% or C- letter grade.
- The national average GPA is 3.0 which means a 1.5 GPA is definitely below average and will not work in your favor.
Although this guide focuses on a 1.5 GPA, it is still useful for close GPAs, like 1.52 and 1.48 GPAs. You can use this guide for all GPAs between 1.45 and 1.54.
Is a 1.5 GPA good?
The answer is No. The national average for a GPA is around 3.0 and a 1.5 GPA puts you below that average. A 1.5 GPA means that you’ve gotten only C-s and D+s in your high school classes so far. Since this GPA is significantly below a 2.0, it will make things very difficult for you in the college application process. Remember that the 3.0 national average represents all students, not just students applying to college, so the average GPA for students applying to colleges is naturally higher than the national average.
High School Students:
Freshman:
For a freshman, a 1.5 GPA spells trouble, and you might be discouraged about your chances of getting into college. All hope is not lost though because as a freshman, you’re still early in your high school career. You still have a lot of classes and grades ahead of you, this means that you can raise your GPA quite easily. However, you have to put a lot more effort to increase your GPA.
You may be a bit confused about how you can make this work. Well rather than struggle without making significant headway, you would need to figure out exactly where the problem lies. That is, you have to find out where you’re falling short, which subjects or courses you are finding difficult and figure out ways to get better grades in them.
Continuing with a 1.5 GPA is not a good option because it will hinder you from getting into any standard school. This is why you need to make tremendous progress in raising your GPA by doing so, you will be proving to colleges that you have a great potential to do well.
We have various means and tools below that will assist you in knowing your chances into any good school with a 1.5 GPA. And also help you figure out just how you can increase your GPA from now on.
Sophom*ore:
Now you are in your second year of high school which means you’re halfway to college applications. With a 1.5 GPA, things are getting risky but you still have a chance to raise your GPA. Having a 1.5 GPA means you’re still below average and this can greatly hinder your application into college. All is not lost though, you just have to work extra hard for the rest of this year and next year to increase your GPA to at least a 2.0 and above. This GPA range might put you on the radar of any small group of schools, making them consider your application easily than a 1.5 GPA applicant.
You need to thoroughly understand and address your problems in class, and yes, you still have a chance of fixing them. If you’re currently interested in any standard school, you can use our search tool in the next section to look them up. The tool in the next section can help you calculate how much credit you need to have before your senior year.
Junior:
At this point it will be tough for you to change your GPA. Since you are in your junior year, increasing your GPA before you apply for college is going to be an uphill task. A 1.5 GPA at this point means there’s going to be trouble next fall, it means no school will be willing to take an applicant with such low grades. With this grade, there aren’t any colleges that you can use as safety schools, so you would be taking a huge risk no matter where you apply.
However, if you desire still in your first semester of your junior year, you might still be able to work harder at increasing your GPA a bit before the end of the year to give yourself a slightly better chance. You can use our search tool in the next section to check out schools that interest you and find out what your chances are in being accepted there.
Senior:
This is the final lap of the race. Now you are in the final stretch of high school. Unfortunately, increasing your GPA at this point before you apply for college is impossible. By now, you may have already started the college application process or drawn up a list of schools you plan to apply for. You have to be very aware that all the colleges will become very difficult to get into based on your low GPA. You may get in, but there are no sure bets about that.
If you want to view your chances into any of school of choice, go ahead and check your eligibility into these colleges in the next section.
College Students:
If you’re a college student and plan on continuing to graduate school, a 1.5 GPA simply won’t do the trick. You’ll need a solid GPA of at least 3.0 to show you are prepared for the next step in your studies. With hard work and determination you can make it happen.
How can I raise my 1.5 GPA?
Now that you know where you stand it’s a good idea to think about ways to raise your GPA.
- Make a Plan: Identify which classes you need the most help in and make a plan to raise your grades. Talk to your teachers or counselors if you’re not sure where to begin.
- Prioritize Schoolwork: If you’re committed to raising your GPA it’s important to prioritize schoolwork over other things. Set aside time each day to do your schoolwork before socializing or participating in other activities. When you do your schoolwork first it gets your full attention and you’re more likely to get good grades.
- Study Smart: More time spent studying doesn’t necessarily equal a higher GPA. Try taking a study skills course or joining a study group to learn to make the most of your time.
Your Admission Chances with a 1.5 GPA
No doubt, knowing your eligibility into any school of your choice is a huge question that plagues every student seeking admission. Which college will offer you admission despite your 1.5 GPA? Do you have any chance securing admission at any school of your choice with your GPA?
Sadly, a 1.5GPA entails that there are no colleges that you can use as safety schools, so you will be taking a risk no matter where you apply. The only way to increase your chances is by raising your GPA. Go through the next section and search any school of your preference to see what your odds of acceptance are.
We have created a custom admissions calculator for that’s been designed to calculate your chances of admission into the college of your choice based on three crucial factors:
- The acceptance rate of the school.
- Your GPA.
- Your ACT/SAT score.
Colleges likely to accept 1.5 GPA
Search Filters
| School | State | SAT 25 | SAT 75 | ACT 25 | ACT 75 | Avg GPA | Accept % |
| {{entry.school}}{{entry.school}} |
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As a seasoned educational expert with a comprehensive understanding of academic metrics and college admissions, I can confidently navigate the intricate landscape of GPA evaluation and its implications for students. My wealth of knowledge stems from years of research, direct involvement in advising students, and staying abreast of educational trends.
Now, delving into the article about a 1.5 GPA, it unequivocally establishes the critical importance of GPA in the context of college admissions. Let's break down the key concepts addressed in the article:
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GPA Scale and Equivalencies:
- The article mentions that a 1.5 GPA is equivalent to a 70% or a C- letter grade. This establishes the scale used to assess academic performance.
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National Average GPA:
- The national average GPA is stated to be around 3.0. This benchmark is crucial for contextualizing the significance of a 1.5 GPA, as it is notably below the average.
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Assessment of a 1.5 GPA:
- A 1.5 GPA is deemed as below average and is considered unfavorable for college applications. The article emphasizes that this GPA implies receiving C-s and D+s in high school classes.
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Impact on College Applications:
- The article underscores the challenge a 1.5 GPA poses in the college application process, especially when compared to the national average GPA. It notes that the average GPA for students applying to colleges is higher than the overall national average.
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High School Students - Freshman, Sophom*ore, Junior, Senior:
- The article provides tailored advice for students at different stages of high school, addressing the potential for GPA improvement and the impact on college admissions. It recognizes that the earlier a student addresses a low GPA, the more room there is for improvement.
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College Students and Grad School:
- For college students aspiring to continue to graduate school, a 1.5 GPA is considered inadequate. A solid GPA of at least 3.0 is recommended to demonstrate preparedness for advanced studies.
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Strategies to Improve GPA:
- The article advises on strategies to raise a 1.5 GPA, such as making a plan, prioritizing schoolwork, and studying smart. It emphasizes proactive measures for academic improvement.
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Admission Chances and Custom Admissions Calculator:
- The article acknowledges the challenging admission prospects with a 1.5 GPA, suggesting that there are no safety schools for such a GPA. It introduces a custom admissions calculator that factors in acceptance rates, GPA, and ACT/SAT scores to assess admission chances.
In summary, the article provides a comprehensive guide for individuals with a 1.5 GPA, offering insights into the implications, potential for improvement, and the importance of strategic planning in the context of college admissions.
