My freshman and 1st semester junior grades are fine (2 B’s in Honors Pre-Calc freshman year, rest A’s) are fine, but my sophomore grades were terrible (6 B’s). I attend a very competitive school, where everyone seems to excel at everything (operative word: seems, but 
)
How much will this negatively affect my college chances?
I have a great SAT score, decent EC’s (nothing too special), to give some perspective.
Bump
What’s your GPA as of now? Does your school rank? If so, what is your rank?
Have you taken the SAT? What type of schools are you looking at?
@rdeng2614 3.77. My school doesn’t rank per se, but judging by the Class of 2016’s profile, it would fall within the top 40% (I know – I cringed just typing that up). I know CCers say a low GPA is fine if your rank is high (as that would indicate grade deflation), but it seems as if my school practices grade deflation but still students here are so smart and driven and competitive that they still get A’s. It’s a school with grade deflation AND a way above average student body. I hope it doesn’t sound like I’m whining or making excuses for myself (I have worked extremely hard so far my junior year and have managed straight A’s with one of the most rigorous course-loads possible).
My SAT is a 2330 (1600 Verbal and Math).
I’m looking at LACs.
To give some perspective, out of a class of around 600, last year there were almost 60 NMSFs and over 120 commended.
Looking from an admissions officer’s perspective, your SAT is easily at the NMSF level which means you tested better than 90+% of your competitive high school. They would want to know why your class rank is “only” top 40%.
@goldenbear2020 Well I’m not sure I’m getting NMSF this year
I took (and am still taking) one of the most rigorous tracks at my school. I have above a 4.0+ weighted (although I don’t think that’s saying much, plus my school doesn’t weigh grades).
Unfortunately all my B’s have come in science/math/computer programming courses. I hope my A in AP Chem last semester (and hopefully this upcoming semester) somewhat redeems my B’s in Honors Chemistry last year.
I don’t want colleges to think I slacked off last year, because I really did put in my best effort. I’m sure if my school ranked based on weighted GPAs, my rank would improve. Alas, they don’t.
Of course I know that getting straight A’s (or only a few B’s) last year would’ve been optimal, but if I do get straight A’s this year, would colleges (somewhat) overlook such bad grades?
By the way, I know I got a higher SAT score than many at my school, but not only do we have such a higher percentage of NMSF and commended students, but to be in the top 10% you can only get one B all four years. But at the same time, my school has grade deflation (certainly not grade inflation, as the GPAs might make it seem).
They are part of your GPA. Nothing more to be said. Compare your GPA to the Common Data Set of your schools.
@“Erin’s Dad” Yes, I know. Unfortunately many Common Data Sets don’t post GPAs. In addition, my school is hyper-competitive so I feel even if they were posted, they would help somewhat, but would they truly be indicative of my chances (however high or low)?
Naviance doesn’t help much either. So few people from my school have applied to LACs that I’m looking into, so many schools’ scatterplots (which allow you to compare yourself to previous applications) don’t appear due to privacy reasons.
Colleges know the rigor of each school so they know what the other students are like. Students from your school get into colleges with lower GPAs then would be required of students from a typical school with lower achievement levels. You should stop worrying about your rank. it is pretty meaningless in a school like the one you attend. Your scores are great. just keep your grades up. The Common Data Set for schools will underestimate your chances if you look at GPA.
You should ask your guidance counselor as he or she will know best what kind of schools students with your GPA can get into.