Chances?

Parents Forum
1

<p>Hey everyone, I am a sophomore in high school, and I was just wondering what chances I have to get into really good college. I am a very hard working student. I motivated about school, and learning. I am a perfectionist at everything I do, I run track, and want to be an actress. </p>

<p>Freshman year 2.5gpa
Sophomore year 3.8gpa( I have a 3.5 but I will defintely get it to a 3.8)</p>

<p>My problem is I screwed up freshman year, and now I have face the consequences. I haveto bring my freshman year cum 2.7 to like a 3.8. I mean I have to do it. I am afraid that it is not possible. I work extremely hard to get the grades that I have, but It seems like since I messed freshman year my whole transcript will look bad. I mean if I get at least a 3.9 junior year,and senior year,have a high cum do I have a chance to get into a good college. Now also I have to take the SAT's which are now out of 2400 for the class of 2007, so more pressure. When you I start taking SAT prep classes?</p>

<p>So any word of advice?Considering I want to go to Nyu, Brown, Georgetown, Florida State, Columbia. I mean the top colleges with really good performing arts programs.I just dont want to go any college, I want to go to colleges with a good perfoming arts program. Education being my number priority, I want to go to college with a great level of teaching, and have the best teachers. </p>

<p>I mean like I work so hard but I feel I am stupid. Everyone tells me I am smart, and all my teachers tell me I am their best student. But I am constanly comparing myself to kids who have higher GPA's than me, and my school is very competitve. The good thing I like about my school is that there is no class rank. You are rank by like if your grade is smart. For example, like if you have like a 3.5 you are rank with all the 3.5's. It is really weird, but it's a really top notch school, and everyone takes honors and AP. I dont take honors, or AP. I just work so hard, but I feel I will be proud of myself until I be the best, and get the perfect gpa.</p>

2

<p>Try not to compare yourself to others. Just do your best. And try and add some APs and honors classes in academic areas where you have interest. </p>

<p>Note too that some colleges will not include your freshman grades when they calculate your GPA. That will make a big difference in your case.</p>

<p>Finally, if you are serious in your performing arts interest, there are a reasonable number of schools who have very strong music and/or drama programs that are not ultra-selective. You may need a 3.95 UW/2200+ SAT to get in an Ivy or MIT, but you won't need that much juice to get into Oberlin, Skidmore, U of Cincinnati, Kenyon, St. Olaf, Lawrence et al. Again, just do your best in school and do your homework on your college choices and you'll be in good shape.</p>

3

<p>C4L--I agree with Reidm: colleges cut applicants some slack by not factoring freshman grades into the GPA equation. As a sophomore, you have the opportunity and the potential to demonstrate your ability to succeed in college. Rather than comparing ourself to others, be more pro-active for yourself. You've already taken the first step by thinking ahead. Take honors/AP classes in those subjects that mean something to you--perhaps in the arts if those are offered. Because the writing section of the SATI will carry a lot of weight, work on your writing skills such as grammar, spelling, and punctuation (proofread your posts). It's never too early to start using SAT review books to hone your test-taking skills. Collegeboard.com offers free practice tests, too. EC's also play a role, so do your best to participate in interest-related activities at school or during the summer. Good luck!</p>