<p>Hi!
I'm a freshman in high school, and I slacked off a lot this year which affected my GPA which is 3.2
I really want to get into a good colleges like Columbia University, New York Univeristy, or Georgetown University. I want to study international relations.
Since my GPA is very low for these schools, I just wanted to know if I still can get into them?
I had only one honor course this year which was World Cultures, and next year I'm in Honors Spanish 2, but I also want to talk to my English and World Cultures teachers if I can go to honors next year as well. I play tennis, and in Interact club and do community service (not sure how many hours so far).
I also speak four languages fluently because I've heard how languages are important for this area of study (if this helps haha :)
I feel really awful for slacking off this year because high school are really important years. But I still do want to try harder than ever, because I want to go to a good school.
So do you guys think I still have a chance if I do really good sophomore and junior year? And SAT/ACT scores too of course. :) Will my freshman GPA highly impact my applications to these schools?
Thank you so much! :)</p>
<p>I’ve talked to rep’s at Stanford, and I know they actually discard freshman year GPA and recalculate it. However, for the schools you described, they don’t. So here’s my tip to increase your GPA: study study study (take it from a recent Cum Laude Inductee)! Take AP/IB and honors classes, and get those A’s. Try to increase your GPA little by little, and you’ll have four more semesters to do it. Try to increase by .25 each semester. But to bolster your application: Get some good SAT scores (don’t forget to take SAT 2’s, especially on the languages you’re fluent in), and attend a summer program on linguistics or int’l relations, to show colleges how passionate you are about it. Also, try to start a multicultural club at school too, and be an officer. That would be pretty cool to put on your app. Good luck!</p>
<p>The good thing is it’s only your Freshman GPA. I’m not saying it’s not important, but it’s the least out of grades 9th to 11th. Definitly try and show an upward trend on your transcript! It’ll show you’re trying and improving. Even during your senior year, DON’T SLACK OFF. Don’t just take easy classes because it’s your senior year. Challenge yourself to show the colleges you’re applying to that you’re still on top of things senior year.
Take as much honors/IB/AP classes as you can. If your school offers it, be an IB diploma candidate. If not, take as much honors classes as you can, and do your best on those classes, as well as your others!
Definitely start trying, if you haven’t already. Don’t procrastinate, turn in your work, do your work, and show up for class.
Sophomore year, even if you’re taking honors classes, should go fairly smoothly. It was probably one of my easiest years, except the government class I took, yikes!
Junior year, it’ll be more tough. I’m a junior and I’m really stressing out. I have SATs, ACTs, Subject Tests, AP exams, Finals, etc… Junior year will definitely be stressful, expect that. It’s when you start thinking MORE about colleges. It’s when you’re deciding whether to apply early or not, which colleges, financial aid, etc…
It’s good that you’re doing a head start on planning.
An advice is to definitely not slack off, especially junior year. It counts the most. Try and raise your GPA up each semester or so. Aim for an A! Remember to do your work, turn in homework, and show up for class!
As what my teacher always say, “70% of success is just showing up.” Hahah!</p>
<p>Good luck! I’m applying to Columbia, too! I know someone who got in with less than a 3.8 GPA, less than 2000 on the SATs, and just shy of 30 on the ACT. This doesn’t mean everyone with those stats will get accepted. Still try and do your best, put in your best effort!
Also, try and do as much ECs as you can. Or at least get REALLY involved in a few.</p>
<p>Thank you so much guys! :)</p>