Balancing Grades

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>So i had a REALLY bad freshman year, (like, 2.5 bad).
But I had a 4.0 sophmore year. And then a 3.5 first semester junior year.
And the second semester was another 2.5.
Ive taken four AP classes, and plan to take four next year.
I haven't taken my SATS, but got a 35 on my ACT.
I've been in four extra cirics since freshman year though, and added two more junior year.</p>

<p>My GPA is a 3.3 at the moment. I was wondering if I should even bother to applt to MIT and/or Brown, which are my fantasy schools.</p>

2

<p>Hmmm... I don't see why not. It's not like they're going to see your GPA and simply throw you in the reject pile. At least I hope not. -_- Though a 3.3 definitely doesn't help for MIT/Brown.</p>

<p>I think that with your grades in other years, you've shown them that you CAN do the work... But the key thing is explaining your bad semesters... Is there any reason behind them? If not... then things don't look too good, but if there are legit reasons behind the drop in grades, I think you have a shot if you keep up the other stuff.</p>

3

<p>freshman year, i had some "personal problems" and this past semester, my dad got real sick (cancer) so i think that may be justified</p>

4

<p>"personal problems" usually don't cut it...</p>

<p>what were your AP scores?</p>

<p>and you should be aware that you will be up against applicants that got straight As/A-s and also did well on ACT (great score by the way!)</p>

5

<p>yeah, thanks, like i didnt already know what Im up against.... i got a 3 and a 4</p>

6

<p>MIT - Percentage of Those Ranked who were: below top 20%
368 1 0%
97% in top 10th of graduating class
You will not get into MIT.</p>

<p>Brown
92% in top 10th of graduating class
You will not get into Brown.</p>

<p>Sorry to be blunt. They have many qualified applicants and having just a 35 is nothing particularly special. Your grades hurt you and your AP scores do as well.</p>

7

<p>The grades are going to make it a challenge unquestionably. The AP scores not so much as they are not considered very much/at all in the admissions process.</p>

8

<p>Don't apply early to any of your fantasy schools and see if you can get your grades up first semester of senior year. That might be able to help. But otherwise, things aren't looking too good.</p>

9

<p>sorry, but you've gotta aim lower. 3.3 won't cut it for any top 20 school, let alone an ivy.</p>

10

<p>yeah, i havwe to agree w/ the above. Try some easier schools.</p>

11

<p>3.3 UW cum, and 3.5/2.5 junior year kills it for you. Junior year is so important.</p>