ACT and GPA importance

Yes that makes a difference. Some high schools hand out A's like candy. They measure very little, especially at private schools where everyone gets an A as long as the check doesn't bounce. The real test of intellect is standardized tests, which compare you to an objective norm. So if you have higher grades (though my house wouldn't take someone with just a 3.75 gpa) and low ACTs, that tells us you are unlikely to do well in college. On the other hand, there are houses that will take you as long as your ACT is at least 24. We figure anything less than that isn't really college material. Sorry, but that's just how it works.