<p>You can find all those things in other institutions, and best represented does not mean that it is the only one. Again, what you do matters more than where you go. A top GPA, great GRE/LSAT/MCAT/etc. scores, outstanding letters of recommendation, study abroad, internships and such are all factors that make an applicant at an “average” institution more competitive than a Harvard student that does not match those credentials and hopes to be admitted just because he/she attended Harvard for undergrad.*</p>
<p>Please don’t be discouraged by other posters who insist that your GPA is a death sentence. Obviously, you’re not off to a good start. You really do need to work very hard to catch up and be able to compete, GPA wise, with other applicants if you end up applying to very selective institutions. HOWEVER, GPA is clearly not the sole criteria for admission. After all, one can achieve a 4.5+ GPA by taking easy classes and electives. It’s much more impressive to have a lower GPA with a schedule full of more rigorious classes. I MUST stress though, don’t take AP’s and such just to make your application look better. I’m guessing you love Biology, so AP Bio and maybe AP Chem would be AP’s that you would enjoy a lot and probably do very well in. And to repeat what many others have correctly stated, other factors besides GPA and course load will come into play.</p>
<p>Honestly, while it’s very good to have college in your mind at this stage, it’s too early to start obsessing. Try to enjoy these next few years. High school should be a period of growth and exploration, and towards the end of this period you will evaluate how you want to continue this growth and, based on that, decide where to apply. There are many, MANY universities and colleges that offer a great education and opportunities outside of the classroom. You might (statically, prob won’t) not get into Harvard or a very prestigious uni, but if you work hard and stay true to yourself in high school then some great colleges will open their doors to you when your application shows that you would thrive there. I wish you the best of luck in your studies and all other endeavors.</p>