Can I salvage something?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Well, here is my story. I had an extremely rough patch in my life that cause me to really drop off in school, an extreme dropoff. My freshman year, I only mustered about a 75 GPA and I failed English. Last year, I wasn't so stellar either, and was around 75-80 for my GPA. I am now a junior, and it's starting to hit me that those two years may have cost me a chance at getting into a good school. I'm not really involved in extra-curriculars also. I played basketball in 9th grade, took last year off, and am now playing again. I am considering playing baseball in the spring also. I am now working like hell to get my grades up and to get my GPA to at least 90. Will two years of that get me back to a level at which colleges won't laugh at me and instantly reject me? And also, is there any chance I could get into any of the following schools I have interest in?</p>

<p>Targets
Towson University
Monmouth University
Arizona State University
Oklahoma State University
University of Georgia
University of Louisville
Oregon State University</p>

<p>Safety
University of Central Florida
Marshall University</p>

<p>I have a 0% chance of getting in, but I'll apply to hang the rejection letter on my wall
Duke University
University of Florida
University of Oregon</p>

<p>Now I know I have absolutely no chance of getting into Duke, and a near-zero chance of getting into UF, but is there a way I can salvage my high school career and get accepted into another?</p>

2

<p>Definitely pick up your grades. Colleges love to see an upward trend in grades. </p>

<p>Generally, they only look at 10th and 11th grade. So if you manage a very high GPA this year it might balance you out and give you a good GPA. </p>

<p>The second big factor will be your SAT scores. Once you take the SAT you can really start to get a feel for what schools you will have a good chance of being admitted into. </p>

<p>So please try harder and get your GPA up.</p>

3

<p>So, what should I am for on my SAT's to get back to respectable? I'm thinking somewhere in the 1700-2000 range, which would take hours upon hours of preparing for.</p>

4

<p>Deifintley aim for at the very least a 1600. That would put you in good standing for the schools you are interested in.</p>

5

<p>I thought I'd just add the whole "list" of EC's so you guys could judge better. I'm a junior now, but most of these lists include my senior year because I plan participating in them next year:</p>

<p>Sports
Basketball- Freshman, Junior-Senior
Baseball- Junior
Football- Senior</p>

<p>All Others
Student Council Alternate Homeroom Rep.- Junior
Student Council Homeroom Rep.- Senior</p>

<p>Jobs
Schuylkill Valley Sports (sporting goods store)- October 2006-Present</p>

6

<p>Just bumping because I'd like to get some more opinions.</p>

7

<p>You will get into some places. Why waste time on the ones where you have no chance? You could substitute more schools where you do have a shot.</p>

8

<p>Where in PA are you? You should look at some schools in state.</p>

<p>Also, UGA is going to be a reach. It's a top public school. UOregon is easier to get into.</p>

9

<p>I'm in Bloomsburg, but I hate it here so BU is not an option for me. I really want to distance myself from the area, and that is why I'm going out of state.</p>

10

<p>boost ur grade up junior yr, raise ur sats to about 2000 and then you have a shot if you write a banging essay/recs.</p>

11

<p>So what's your gpa projection?</p>

12

<p>Yikes...I'm not sure because we go by percentage out of 100. If I work like hell this year and next I might be able to get it up to the 3.0-3.1 range.</p>

13

<p>UO has a minimum GPA of like 2.5. Everyone in Oregon gets in - there's no question.</p>

<p>If you can get a high enough SAT, I.. well, I don't know enough about state school dynamics - UO might very well be picky with out of staters, but... 3/4 of my high school class in Portland, OR will be going there. Take that as you will. I hate UO.</p>

<p>Although, I guess their sports aren't bad..?</p>

14

<p>Unless you get a mid-high 1800+ SAT, UGA is a BIG reach. No point at all applying to Duke and UF. What's your potential major?</p>

15

<p>karch: Hmm, that's odd, because according to SparkNotes College the minimum GPA for UO was 3.51, and that's why I have it under the reach category.</p>

<p>jPoD: Well, I know I have zero chance of getting into Duke or UF, but it'd be cool to know that they at least sent me something, even if it is a rejection letter haha. Also, I have no clue what I'm going to major in yet.</p>

16

<p>Whatever floats your boat :P My dad went to UF Law School. Doesnt do **** for me legacy wise even though I'd kill to go there.</p>

<p>So undecided major...Best solution is a public state U which is what you have. I dont do a whole lot better than you....I'd look into Indiana-Bloomington which is my 2nd choice. UMass-Amherst as well. Ever considered Temple? Not SO close from Blooms.</p>

17

<p>I don't like the area around Temple, and I'd really like to try and go to school out of state.</p>

18

<p>Trust me bro, whatever you heard is bull. It's perfectly safe and expanding. I took a class there. I walked alone with no problem.</p>

19

<p>Again, I'd like to avoid going to school in PA at all costs.</p>

20

<p>Duke is a no-go. I agree with OneMom; that money and time is best spent on an application for a match. </p>

<p>That F in English will not look good, even if it was your freshman year. If you had gone to high school in my school system, you would've had to repeat freshman year. Show in your essay that your verbal skills have improved: practice for the SAT, get a thumpin' good recommendation from an English teacher, and begin writing essays immediately so that you have plenty of time to have them critiqued. </p>

<p>The good news is that you still have hundreds of options. Get your SAT up into the 1600-1800 range and you have some good options.</p>