<p>Hi, everyone! So, in a short, I'm an incoming junior in high school, & my grades were not so great freshman and sophomore year. I'm currently in the top 14% of my class (117/860), and I'm trying to work as hard as I can to get my GPA and rank up. Notre Dame is my hands-down dream school, but I'm afraid that I won't make it in regardless if I improve my grades and all. I'm afraid I won't even make it into any colleges I like because of my fresh/soph grades! Being completely honest with myself, I don't think that my SAT & ACT scores are going to be stellar either. I've tried joining a lot of extracurricular activities (Key Club, Student Council, Science NHS, etc.), but I haven't been able to hold any officer positions. I really don't have any special attributes or "hooks" that would help me either! Do colleges (specifically ND) find improvements in grades acceptable or is frowned upon? Do you guys have any tips to improve my resume? Is it even within a realm of possibility that I can even make it in?!?!? I apologize that this is so long, & I really appreciate all of your time and responses.</p>
<p>Ever application tells the story of a student. The students with the most college choices are able to tell a story of exceptionally strong academic performance from start to finish with extracurriculars that help round out the tale. </p>
<p>From your description above, you do not yet have the academic performance or the extracurriculars that will make your story standout for the admission department at ND or any highly selective institution. The next year to year and a half give you a chance to write the story that will make you a compelling candidate for colleges. Do not get focused on one dream school. Study hard and explore extracurriculars that might ignite a passion. Discover and define who you are. </p>
<p>As you enter your senior year in high school, you should assess which schools present realistic targets for you. Keep some stretch schools on the list and continue to develop your story. Apply to a variety of schools knowing that every college in the country offers the opportunity for a quality education. Find the school that is the match for you and jump in with full enthusiasm – it may be ND or you may find a different dream school that is a better match for YOU. </p>
<p>When you get to college, you will continue to write your story – you can thrive where you are, transfer somewhere else, prepare for grad school, or drop out and become a billionaire because you have come up with the next great idea.</p>
<p>Do not let 9 months of your life as a 14 year old (freshman year in high school) define who you are and what you are going to be.</p>
<p>Best of luck.</p>
<p>@WestCoastCali17: That is the beautifully written and perfectly reasoned answer. @aNorable: Please take those words to heart!</p>
<p>@WestCoastCali17 Thank you so much for your advice! I will try my best to keep this in mind this school year!</p>