Chances for CPS and Questbridge Match

I dont know if it will be worth it for me to apply to CPS or QB next year because I have 5 C’s on my transcript in math and computer classes from freshman and sophomore yr. However, I am in the IB program, my school is highly-ranked and competitive, and I want to major in political science. I also have straight A’s right now, so I am expecting a massive upward trend during my junior yr. Here is some more additional info…

*Nigerian-American female immigrant
*I live with a single mom who makes 40k a yr for a family of 4; dad does not financially contribute. I have to take care of my siblings and have been doing so since I was 11 yrs old. I have to help them with their homework and make them food before I can even start my own homework because my mom is constantly working. The electricity goes off in my house so many times becasue we cannot afford to pay the bill and it interferes with my homework. My mom has also been paying her lawyer for the past 4 yrs since she is going through a divorce AND she is paying for the lawyer for my uncle that got deported earlier this year. I cannot even stay after school for tutoring because of my responsibilities at home; this is why I have five C grades.

*GPA: 3.58 UW, 4.3 W. Top 10% of my class
Extracurriculars
*Ambassador for my city’s public education fund
*Member of the mayor’s youth leadership advisory council (had to send application and go through an interview process)
*VP of Model UN (will be president next year)
*VP of Marketing for my city’s first gavel club ( I was the secretary last year and will be the president next year)
*Volunteer with local refugee center (I facilitated a partnership with the center and the gavel club will soon start having public speaking workshops for teen refugees.)
*Tutor at school
*member of a seminar series that I had to test to get in to
*Member of city’s Youth Leadership organization (had to send application and go through an interview process)
*attended the Peace Jam conference and volunteered there since the 8th grade
*Section editor of school’s yearbook (9th grade)
*Lead staff writer for the yearbook (10th grade)
*summer volunteer at local library and at my local science and history museum
*was identified by a fraternity at a university in my city as a high achieving student
*2017 AP Scholar

I also have taken 2 languages, Spanish Hon. and IB Latin. I have taken seven AP classes so far and am on track to receive the full IB diploma.

I am afraid that my transcript will hinder my acceptance to the College Prep Scholars program and the Questbridge college match program, so I just want to know if it would be worth it to apply.

Apply. At the very worst, you’ll get a head start on your essays and most likely be able to recycle them for other colleges’ essays. At the best, they’ll look at your application and give you a nod. Nothing to lose.

But if I do apply, do you think I could become a finalist? Do i have a good chance of becoming one even with the C’s on my transcript?

Absolutely. I had two C’s on my transcript (in easy classes too) with a 3.633 weighted with 3.875 weighted and I made it as a finalist this year. I also got a 30 on my ACT for reference. The ACT/SAT are meant for “backing up” your grades. High ACT and low grades might show that the classes you’ve taken are extra challenging, and vice versa. Aim for high scores, stick with strong extracurricular’s, write good essays, and you’ll be fine.

Apply! I was too lazy to apply for CPS, but I am a NCM Finalist. I have a 3.6 gpa and a 26 ACT.