<p>My D was also admitted to a top 20 LAC - - after dropping standard chem, repeating the class as a sophomore and getting only C+.</p>
<p>I got into Cornell Engineering with 2 Cs, not C+, but Cs, and they were in my soph year. If I were you, I would just look forward and try to kick some academic butt.
(My uw gpa was 3.5 too, not a URM or recruited athlete either). I did pull a 4.0 jr year with a supremely difficult course load though.</p>
<p>I think Princeton doesn't stress those grades as long as you have a good explanation and have shown great improvement towards your work. I think it's more about experiences, and what you have to offer to the school. I'm hoping to apply to Princeton next year even though my freshman year of high school was bad. But we'll see what happens...</p>