bad grades, decent SAT - help?

<p>So my issue is that my whole high school career up until now (junior year), I haven't put in much effort, and got by with right around a 2.8 GPA. I recently got my first SAT scores back, scored a total of 2110, 690 in math, 720 cr, 700 writing (also scored 29 ACT). I've run track and cross country for three years, and am fairly competitive in my division in Mass, but nowhere fast enough this year at least to run d1 (if it means anything to you I have PR's of 4:40 mi, 10:25 2mi, 2:05 800m, 28:20 8k). I'd like to major in mechanical engineering. The only AP's i will have taken will be psych and physics next year. I've been involved in student government, physics olympics, and chess club, am fairly talented artistically and play piano. I'll probably have done around 70+ hrs of community service by the time i apply. Chances at somewhere like Syracuse? WPI? Umass Amherst?</p>

<p>bump. I’d like to know if i’d have any chance at BU whatsoever as well. And lastly if having a 4.0 or close to it for the first semester next year by the time I apply would help my cause or be meaningless at this point.</p>

<p>You should definitely work hard at this point. you’re not doomed. By getting 4.0 shows colleges that you have stepped up your game and take your education seriously.</p>

<p>Thanks for replying! I appreciate the input. Also I should mention a big reason I haven’t quite managed well this year and last was my mom being diagnosed w/ cancer, its been rough.</p>

<p>I actually had the same ACT score and a similar GPA (3.1), taking mainly Honors and some AP classes. Yours is unweighted, right? Anyway, contrary to what I thought, I do not have to go to community college. I got into my state flagship along with some other top 100 private schools and I think you can make it to the schools you listed as well.</p>

<p>And I had a 3.8 first semester senior year.</p>

<p>Well that’s pretty encouraging! Thanks for replying.</p>

<p>bump 10char</p>

<p>bumppppppp</p>

<p>UMass Lowell has a good engineering program</p>

<p>im in the exact situation as you bro bump for intrest</p>

<p>i suppose i’ll bump again</p>

<p>bumparoooo</p>

<p>i feel bad about doing this but BUMP</p>