Hello, I am a junior and very concerned about the future college admissions next fall.
I come from a low income family so it is really important to make it into a top school with financial aid (best if needs-based).
But that means I have to get into a REALLY good school.
My sister made it alright but I’m really concerned because currently I have a lower GPA and SAT then what she did.
I have GPA unweighted ~3.8 and SAT of 1480
But this semester I’ve really hit rock bottom. My GPA will go down after this past semester goes in because I got my first C along with 4 B’s in all my AP classes. My 2 A’s are from electives.
I’m taking 5 AP’s and I honestly don’t know why because I don’t put in the work.
(I have struggled with minor depression and phone addiction which accounts for the descending trend in my GPA freshman to first semester of junior year.)
But I’m really trying to shape up and study hard this semester to raise my GPA. I feel motivation that I haven’t felt in a looong time.
And I’m planning on taking the SAT again aiming for 1540+ I’m feeling the pressure of this being my last chance.
My only concern is if it’s too late? Will colleges be disappointed in the descending trend in my GPA and even if I do get a better GPA my second semester of junior year, will the lip up at the end be enough for them to believe in my work ethic and accept me? What can I do to get into the top colleges? (I do some extracurriculars but not really in the top leader positions.)
I know I sound like I’m reaching way beyond my possibilities but I have to try…
I got a 1460 which is borderline, I for sure made commended but probably not semi finalist… it’s okay if I don’t get scholarships and just loans tho b/c I can pay it off later, I just don’t want to burden my parents with not being able to get needs based loans @hope469
@ceilingroofgoat is correct that you don’t have to attend a top 20 university to be successful. First it not for everyone (high pressure cook environment); second, setting a goal that is high and narrow is not healthy. Still apply,but fine more alternatives as backups (state flagships with merit aid; community college with final aid and transfer after getting AA).
@amNotarobot I haven’t really thought about being successful more than the immediate need to not have my parents have to pay thousands every month to pay for tuition. I hear only the richest/best universities give enough loans to lessen the monthly pay. Do you think I should not try so hard to raise my GPA and SAT score then and just try to aim for my current match schools?
Have you truly researched colleges that meet full need? It’s not just top 20’s.
Your grade drop in jr year, usually when kids take more rigorous courses, is an issue. And you’ve suggested you’ve had a problem balancing. You need to find the right colleges where you can grow and succeed. Get a Fiske Guide or other. Google the right info from reputable sources. Do the right exploring, not just what you “hear.”
@winterwoods I did not say you should not try so hard to raise your GPA and SAT, but just not to a point harming your mental health. Your SAT is already good, so you should not think about it now. Wait till in the summer before your Senior year to aim a higher SAT by doing daily SAT test practices and taking the test in late August/early September should help you get there.
1 C and 4 B in 5 AP means that you are spread to thin of your time and energy on too many APs. Should try to reduce your AP to 3/4, but not 5 to get a better grades. It is not the students that got the most APs get into the top schools, but those who show that they can handle the APs well while management their other aspects of life as well got a chance to be considered. So loading lots of APs may backfire on you and lower you GPA. Just want you to think about it.
Aiming few of the top schools are fine (they cost about $280K for four years, may give you no-loan aid for $240K, but will still expect you to work-study to come up $2.5K here and there, and you also will need to come up with travel/books/MISC, so you end up still need some money about $10K a year), but you should also have bunch of state schools (which cost about $100K for four year, but you may get some merit and Federal aid, so your net cost may be just $6-10K a year) your targets, and also have community college (cost $14-16K for two years, but you likely get Federal aid, so it costs you nothing) as an option if money is an issue for you/your family. And if you are doing well in community college, you can transfer to many well colleges, even to the top 20 schools.
I just don’t think you should have this kind of mind set: “But that means I have to get into a REALLY good school.” “I have struggled with minor depression” “I’m feeling the pressure of this being my last chance.” It is just not healthy.
While the Ivies are indeed extremely generous, there are lower ranked schools with good financial aid out there.
Your state system may have affordable options as well. All is not lost.
Google the college essay guy podcast home page and look for the “quick and dirty list builder” handout. The schools in bold type at each level of selectivity have better need-based aid. Listen to episode 121 about generous schools as well.
@winterwoods Taking big loans is NOT advisable at all. Any (not college provided, I assume? not a FA expert) loan greater than the federal student loan (which is 5500/ year? I believe) will require a parent co-signer anyways, so you’ll burden them anyways. Can I ask which state you’re from?
IMO, you should definitely find some schools where you can get merit, which may not have the pressure-cooker environment that the top-20 have (which, as posters above mentioned, may be a good thing). These can be, at minimum, your safeties and matches.
A sincere thank you for your willingness to help. I’m honestly so thankful for a platform to ask and answer like CC! I’ve taken into account all that you guys have said and realized how little I am informed. I need to search for my passion before I jump into this college search journey in order to find the best college for me. For GPA and SAT, I just have to try my best as I have not been doing so far. I needed to put my laziness in check and I’m so glad you guys did not reprimand my low grades but helped me see there were other options and ways about the college journey. I am even more motivated and will probably post more questions in the future! THX @hope469@amNotarobot@lookingforward@ceilingroofgoat@AroundHere
Top 20 schools are overrated. Sometimes I wonder who came up with those rankings to begin with. Far to many students spend so much of their time trying to get into selective schools. Sooner or later the stress gets to them and they break. College name brand is nothing to obsess about. The professional world is about competence and whether you can do the job. There are people from colleges, big or small, elite or “unranked” with high paying jobs who do their jobs with great distinction. The CEO of Starbucks went to Northern Michigan University. In fact, too much academic pressure in a highly competitive college can make mental health far worse. Big flagship state schools like UT-Austin are known for that with their business and engineering programs. You’re not a lazy person. You’re a stressed person, and I think you would do great if you had a school with less academic pressure.