A Lousy Junior Year

Colleges & Universities A-Z Georgetown University
1

<p>So junior year didn't really go the way I planned. I moved abroad for high school and watched my GPA fall as I was preoccupied with bigger problems. Despite lousy teachers and lack of study resources, I did manage to retain an average of 5 in the IB (which translates into a B in the American system), but I still felt it was so low that I needed to go back home.
So I did. Little did I know, however, that I was far behind the others there and since I had to take up a complete new higher level subject as well, I found that there was not much improvement in my grades; I studied very hard, but a lot of time I was merely catching up. This resulted in a spring term with the average of 5.3 (IB) or a B+ GPA. I am really disappointed and wonder if I've ruined all my chances for Georgetown.</p>

<p>I do believe I can get my average up to the 38-40 IB point category during the first half of my senior year, but will it be enough? That would mean a A-/A GPA. I emailed Georgetown and they said they usually hope for these kinds of IB points, 38 being in the lower range (not to mention the 32 from my junior year!). Can I improve my chances with high SAT scores? What else can I do?</p>

<p>I have really good extra-curriculars and believe I'd have a really good shot at admission, if it wasn't for my GPA.</p>

<p>Thank you!!</p>

2

<p>OK, now I’m getting worried.</p>

3

<p>Its okay… even if you don’t get into Georgetown, there are other schools.</p>

4

<p>Wow, I’m surprised that you really don’t think a great senior year can make any difference. You’d think they’d give people a second chance, and anyway it would show that I have potential.</p>

5

<p>the thing about Georgetown is that if you apply early action, they look strictly at frosh/soph/junior year grades and not at all at senior grades. so it really depends. by applying early you give yourself a leg up but by applying early you lose the chance for them to see senior grades</p>

6

<p>Yeah I know. That’s why I’m applying RD.</p>

7

<p>Forgive me for being stupid, but…they don’t look at first quarter senior-year grades if you apply EA? Really? Interesting…because, quite frankly, the thing I’m most worried about right now is keeping my grades up in the first quarter.</p>