Can I save myself?

Applying to College
1

<p>I am a junior in a public 4A high school. School is out in 5 days :]</p>

<p>As of right now I will have a 3.1 UW GPA. Yes, I screwed up. I know...</p>

<p>Freshman year:</p>

<p>English: A/A
Algebra I: B/B-
Spanish I: A-/B+
Physical Sci: A-/B
World Studies: A/A-
Life Issues: A- (one semester)
Keyboarding: A- (one semester)
Comm Tech: A- (one semester)</p>

<p>*Note: First semester/second semester</p>

<p>GPA after freshman year: 3.5</p>

<p>Sophomore year:</p>

<p>Amer. Studies (Honors): A-/B
English (Honors): A-/B
Geometry: A/B
Spanish II: B/B
Business I: A/B
Biology: A-/B</p>

<p>GPA after sophomore year: 3.49</p>

<p>Junior year: (this is where I mess up...)</p>

<p>AP Jr. Eng: C-/B
AP Psych: C+/B
Honors Chem: B+/B
Business II:B/A-
Spanish III: D+/D :[
Algebra II: D/D :[</p>

<p>GPA after junior year: should be at around a 3.1</p>

<p>So I obviously have a downward trend. I slacked this year in high school, and I really regret it. There were some issues at home I had no control over, but I should have focused more on my grades (write that in admissions essay?). My Spanish and Algebra grades killed me.</p>

<p>Here is my question: I live in Washington (state) and I'm going to apply to the University of Washington and Washington State. Is there a way I can save my GPA? The priority application deadline next year for UW is December 1st. WSU is January 31st. If I get really great grades my first semester of my senior year will I have a chance to show these colleges that I'm not really that bad of a student my junior grades show? </p>

<p>Here is my class load for next year:</p>

<p>AP Lit
AP Gov
Spanish IV
Pre-Calculus
Business III
Personal Finance/Ceramics (I have to fulfill a stupid art credit...)</p>

<p>SAT: CR: 600
M: 440
W: 540
Total:1580
*I'm going to study during the summer and retake it in September. I really think I can obtain an 1800+. I did not study at all the first time I took it...</p>

<p>I am very involved in DECA (business organization), and I went to STATE in competition.</p>

<p>I love running. I do track and cross country. Lettered in both this year.</p>

<p>I've lived all over the world (Panama, Turkey, Guam, Bahrain, Germany) because my dad is in the Air Force.</p>

<p>I have lots of community involvement (church, camp counselor, soup kitchen volunteer, etc.).</p>

<p>I am working a full-time job this summer (5 days a week/8 hours a day) at McChord Air Force Base.</p>

<p>The only thing really bringing me down is my GPA. Will having strong grades my senior year mean anything to UW and WSU? Last question: Does it matter how early you apply or if you just make the priority deadline?</p>

<p>Thanks for taking your time to help me out! Your replies are appreciated.</p>

2

<p>I think you're a shoe-in for WSU, but UW is starting to get way more competitive than it has been. I think that what you should do is take the ACT to hopefully get a higher score (or retake SAT). If you do, that might swing you a little bit more into the UW. </p>

<p>Also, make sure you APPLY EARLY. It can only help you. :P Good luck.</p>

<p>Edit: Oh, and UW isn't going to look at your first semester grades if you apply too early, so I guess you might just want to apply right after your first semester grades are posted. If senior year doesn't go too well for you, though, it would be in your favor to apply early though (end of October-ish).</p>

3

<p>Thanks, bro.</p>

<p>I'm actually taking the ACT this Saturday. I studied for the past month, and I am feeling a little confident. I am shooting for a 30.</p>

<p>But does it matter if I apply in October when the priority deadline is Jan 1st? What I am trying to say is does it really matter how early you apply by the priority deadline or do I just need to get it in by that date? Does it make a difference?</p>

4

<p>Bump......</p>

5

<p>C'mon, guys! I need some input.</p>

6

<p>It doesn't matter where you go to college for undergrad.</p>

<p>It won't make you any more successful in life.</p>

<p>A 3.1 isn't that good, sorry you won't get into Wash U, unless there are some really special miraculous circumstances.</p>

<p>Pray hard. That's all you can do, as well as study hard.</p>