The CS department rejected someone with a 3.7 GPA. I have a 3.4 GPA and scored so high on the AP exam I was exempted from both introductory courses. Their "standards" are exactly the problem here - I'm learning a lot from all of my classes simply by reading a textbook I can check out from the library, and I've taught myself everything I know about programming. Why should I subject myself to unreasonable standards for no benefit? Leveraging a situation only benefits you if it doesn't waste your time.