Bad Sophomore Year, Phenomenal Junior Year

Applying to College
1

Hello everyone,

So here’s the thing. My sophomore year was horrible for me. I was extremely sick, I missed 1-2 months of school, my situation was horrible and there were a million other things thrown at me. I ended up receiving 4 B’s my first semester of sophomore year and when the situation improved consequently so did my grades, and I received 2 B’s the second semester. Now junior year, I have received straight A’s my first semester and plan to do so the second semester as well (it shouldn’t be an issue, all my classes offer extra credit and easier assignments to help the students improve). However, it has impacted my GPA and it’s definitely not where I want it to be. The rest of the stats are below. Will this hinder my chances in applying to a good college? Thank you!

Freshman Year: [All As] UW: 4.0/W: 4.14
PE
Biology
Honors Global Studies
Honors English
Spanish II
Honors Precalculus
Orchestra

Sophomore Year: UW: 3.57/W: 4.00
[1st Semester]
Symphony Orchestra - A
AP Biology - B+
AP World- B+
AP Calculus BC - B+
Spanish 3 - A
Marketing - A
Honors Soph English - B+

[2nd Semester]
Symphony Orchestra - A
AP Biology - A
AP World- A
AP Calculus BC - A
Spanish 3 - B+
Marketing - A
Honors Soph English - B+

Junior Year: UW: 4.0/W: 4.83 [actually not sure about weighted because I’m not sure if multivar is weighted or not]
AP Chemistry - A
AP Psychology - A
AP Statistics - A
AP Lang - A
AP Spanish - A
Multivariable Calculus - A

Overall UC GPA UW: 3.79/W: 4.36

Standardized Test Scores:
ACT: 35 [Essay: 11]
PSAT: 1500

SAT Subject Tests
Math II: 800
Biology: score pending

Extracurriculars:

I started a nonprofit that distributes feminine hygiene products to battered women’s shelter (there’s a real need for it). I have a leadership position in a couple clubs at school. I also volunteer as an assistant at a memory care center with the nurses (blood pressures and blood work and such). I’ve also made a procedure for a cheap edible vaccine and am currently looking for a lab to help me create it. I’m hoping to snag a summer research internship this year.

Here are some of the colleges I’m really hoping I could get into:
UCLA ****************
UC Berkely
UCSD
UC Davis
Emory

Some colleges I would like to but might not be able to get into:
UPenn
UChicago
Rice
John Hopkins

Honestly, I just want to get into UCLA for now. If I have a horrible record and absolutely can’t make it into any of these schools, let me know. I’ll change my list lmao. Thanks everyone.

2

It will not hinder you from getting into a good place.

Make sure that your guidance counselor knows your medical reasons for those sophomore grades. Your counselor can cover that information in the recommendation letter.

3

Your essay will matter for most of the schools you’ve listed. Why is UCLA your #1?

4

You’ll be okay. Looking at your other stats/course rigor, you’re obviously not a slacker or anything. Have your counselor make note of your illness/other extenuating circumstances in their letter. Good luck!

5

The guidance counselor doesn’t touch a UC application

6

I’ve just always wanted to go there since I was young. I guess I don’t really have a specific reason why. I just like it haha. When you say my essay will matter do you mean explaining the circumstances? Thank you

7

Thank you so much. That is very helpful advice. I’ll see if I get an appointment with her and let her know. Thank you so much.

8

Yea, you’re right. However, I still have my essays so I hope it’ll be okay (?). I’m not sure. Either way, my sophomore grades were clearly a huge anomaly. Thanks for the help!

9

It is NOT a huge anomaly to get a handful B+'s sophomore year in challenging courses after getting all A;s freshman year.

My kid did it.

10

Really? That’s reassuring to hear. Do you think the B’s hindered your child from going to the colleges he/she wanted to? Thank you.

11

There is a place in your applications to explain the circumstances for your lower grades during your sophomore year. You clearly have a rigorous course load and the schools will look happily upon that. I think all of the schools you listed are attainable considering your grades, scores, and EC’s. Best of luck to you!