<p>As of today, I'm scared if I'll get into any college. As I read through the fourms, I'm seeing these kids, who like me will be applying to college this year and their scared about getting into colleges with GPAs of 3.9+ and it's honestly freaking me out! I only have a GPA of 3.5 in a class where my Val. is a 4.89 (and I'm fairly down on the class rank). All through my education, I've worked my butt off, doing all my work, getting help when I needed it, and taking on academic challenges of all sorts when they come to me. This past year in particular, I took on physics which I knew I would have to work hard at, and I did but I still only got a C in that class. I guess what I'm trying to ask is if admissions at colleges take into account of the difficulty of your classes you take and if they look at your specific high school's GPA and what not. I'm just so nervous that all those challenging classes that I took on (and didn't always preform stellar in, but tried) are just going to be useless and hurt my chances of gaining admission to college.</p>
<p>YOU WILL GET INTO COLLEGE! Repeat it, it’s a mantra! Best of all, it’s TRUE. AND, not only will you get into college, but I’ll bet you’ll get into multiple top 100 or even top 50 colleges! I’m being honest here. </p>
<p>First of all, ignore everyone who’s freaking out. People need to realize that not getting into their dream school isn’t even CLOSE to being the end of their school career, much less the end of the world. If someone has a 3.9 GPA, or a 3.1, or a 2.6, or whatever it is, unless they royally screwed up somewhere down the road, they’re going to get into a the perfect school *for them<a href=“which%20is%20ALL%20that%20matters”>/i</a>. It’s ok to have pride and say “I have a high GPA/great SAT/strong ECs/etc. and I feel confident that’ll I’ll get into _____ University,” but for some reason, people think that’s too arrogant to say. It’s really not. That’s confidence.</p>
<p>Secondly, about you: you worked really hard to earn good grades; a 3.5 GPA is very good, and a 4.89 weighted GPA is even more awesome! Don’t compare yourself to others–I know it’s hard, but just don’t–because what’s a good fit for them isn’t necessarily a good fir for you. Of COURSE colleges take into consideration how hard your classes were, beyond looking at the weighted GPA. Your counselor will also include with his/her recommendation letter a school profile that will show how difficult a “rigorous course load” at your school really is, and I have no doubt that admissions boards will be impressed by your application if you really took challenging courses.</p>
<p>So don’t worry too much; focus on writing an incredible Common App essay, and keep taking hard courses next semester. You’ll be FINE, I PROMISE! :)</p>
<p>Relax! You need to take into account that the majority of people who regularly use this website, have accounts, and post frequently are extremely competitive about college admissions. They are scared about getting into college with 3.9 GPA’s because statistically, some very selective schools that they are looking at reject applicants with those GPA’s. Remember that many schools would be delighted to accept an applicant with a 3.9 GPA!</p>
<p>Colleges definitely do take into account the difficulty of your classes. If you worked your hardest and received a lower grade than you would have in an easier course, there is something to be said for that. In addition, colleges also consider your SAT/ACT scores, EC’s, work experience, home life, volunteering, talents, essay, etc. So while grades are an extremely important part of your application, they are not the only part. </p>
<p>With all this in mind, I would recommend using a college search service (college board, CC, and princeton review are some i know of) that will help you find a college which meets your individual needs. Also, try talking to your guidance counselor about what your expectations should be and how you could improve your application. Good Luck, and try not to let yourself be overwhelmed! :)</p>
<p>Yeah keep in mind that this site is almost exclusively the top 10% of all collegebound students. I see lots of people with 2200-2400 SATs and that comprises 1% of all people who take the SAT.</p>
<p>The key is finding schools that you would like to go to and that you could get into with your test scores and GPA.</p>
<p>By even 10%, probably have of that:</p>
<p>The 3.5 is the OP’s GPA; the 4.89 was given as a reference to locate the top student.</p>
<p>While there is certainly a college where a 3.5 is a competitive GPA, if you want some recommendations, here are some data we need:</p>
<ul>
<li>Home state</li>
<li>Budget</li>
<li>Intended major(s)</li>
<li>College size preference</li>
<li>Scores on the SAT/ACT (I might cut you some slack if you didn’t take them but what you will then have for recommendations will be accompanied by a target score)</li>
<li>Geographical preference</li>
<li>Extracurriculars</li>
</ul>
<p>don’t worry, you’ll get into college. It may not be the top tier but that’s okay. I suspect you wouldn’t like the HPY schools anyway.</p>
<p>You may want to look into colleges like Whitman College which lists Course Rigor and Application Essay as Very Important factors and all others as Important or Considered. These are schools that look for bright students who challenge themselves.</p>
<p>Good luck</p>
<p>Life does not end if you don’t get into the top whatever schools as listed by USNWR. There is always a school out there for every type of student. It’s up to you to find that school, but just realize that you will be able to find it.</p>