I’m so stressed…I go to a really competitive high school which I enjoy but it’s super overwhelming when I consider how much better than me most of my peers are. I’m a junior and working harder than I ever have but I don’t think I’ll get into a college that’s really indicative of how hard I’ve been working, especially the last two years, because of my GPA… it’s not terrible but basically I messed up and got a 3.4 freshman year, 3.8 sophomore year, 4.5 first semester and on track for a 4.4 or 4.5 for junior year overall, which will get my GPA up to about a 3.9 when I’m applying to colleges. I know this isn’t terrible but I got my heart set on schools like Tufts too late, I wish I’d done more freshman year because now I feel like I’m condemned to a school that’s not representative of my junior year GPA. Does anyone else feel like this??
GPA isn’t the only factor in admissions. Freshman year is not all that important – what matters more is that you have improved over the course of your three years, which you have done remarkably. If you are also in rigorous classes this year, then that improvement will look even more impressive. What I’d suggest is to do your best on the SAT or ACT, maintain a few strong EC’s, and make your application essays as good as possible, as I’d suggest to any student. Tufts is a great school, and while you certainly have other options, you shouldn’t rule it out simply because of your GPA. It’d help if you could prove more details about your stats (courses, SAT/ACT, EC’s), and if you could explain your school’s grading scale – is the 3.9 out of 4.0 or 5.0?
sorry for the late reply! thank you for responding. I’ve only taken the SAT once (last week) so I’m waiting on that score but not expecting a great one since I’m pretty sure I did really badly on the math. I’ll take it again in June and October (maybe in August? I heard they’re offering one then this year) so hopefully I’ll be able to get at least a 1250, but I think I left prep for that a little late too. EC’s are pretty bad honestly, I have some club involvement but no officer positions. I’m in National English Honor Society so I might try for a board position next year though. I worked for a few months last year and I’m hoping for an internship with a historical society this summer (I find out soon) so maybe those will help, I don’t know if fewer EC’s is okay if they’re somewhat strong, which is what I’m going for with the internship. My school’s GPA scale is out of 5 and mine is 3.8 weighted right now. Like I said, my guidance counselor thinks that will go up to a 3.9 by the time I’m applying if I keep up what I’m doing now. I’m taking rigorous classes (4 APs this year, at least 3 next year) so maybe that will help too? I’m not expecting to get into an Ivy, but hopefully somewhere will recognize how hard I’ve worked this year.
It has been shown that your GPA in your later HS years is more indicative of your future success in college. Most colleges recognize this and will cut you some slack for having a less than stellar freshman and sophomore years. Keep improving and you’ll do fine.
The SAT isn’t a particularly hard test, but it is a long test. Most people who take it for the first time aren’t truly prepared for taking such a long test. Test scores can improve the second time around as you are more ready for the grind that it is.
@HPuck35 What are your thoughts on EC’s with regard to that concept? If one’s EC’s are mostly, if not entirely, done in their junior and senior year of high school (but done with considerable passion and dedication such as OP’s internship), will they still be considered strong?
Also, @zmpdun, I’d strongly suggest you reach out to other societies, programs, or companies with an interest in an internship. It is certainly not a good idea to commit to something before you are given confirmation that you will get the job – if you don’t get it, what are you going to do this summer?