Determine My Chances

<p>I just finished my freshmen year, and it did not go so well... I did not have a good experience with Honors Geometry and I failed it. I am angry at myself and really want to turn my grades around for the next three years.</p>

<p>Here are the grades:</p>

<p>Afro-Asian Cultures: 91%
Geometry Honors: 64%
Spanish II: 86%
Engilsh 9 Honors: 85%
Health Fitness: 97%
Programming in C/C++: 97%
Biology I Honors: 81%</p>

<p>I will be repeating Geometry Honors next year...</p>

<p>Here is 10th grade schedule:</p>

<p>European History AP
Geometry Honors
Spanish III Honors
English 10 Honors
Health 10/Phys Ed 10
AP Computer Science A
Chemistry I Honors</p>

<p>Here are my extra-curricular activities:
Varsity Baseball
Academic Team
Robotics Club</p>

<p>Here are the colleges I want to apply to in the future:</p>

<p>University of Maryland
Rutgers
University of Delaware
Penn State
Virginia Tech
University of Pittsburgh
Kent State University</p>

<p>If possible, please tell me what I can improve upon so I have the best chances of getting accepted into a good college.</p>

<p>Thank you all for your help.</p>

<p>-csstudy</p>

<p>why are you continuing in an honors level math class when your grade was so low? I'm assuming that you would have gotten a D/D- if a letter grade was given. Maybe it would be better to take regular geometry and get a solid grade there.</p>

<p>Anything below a 70% in my school is a failing grade, and I will be taking the same course again. I tried to go to the teacher for help throughout the year but he told me this is an honors level course, and I need to be picking this up by myself. Since it is the same course, I do not think I will get anything lower than a B next year.</p>

<p>-csstudy</p>

<p>I had the same problem with my honors geometry class two years ago, it pretty much sucked (I even went to a tutor at some point for help). I think it's awesome your school offers Afro-Asian Cultures.. my school has a lot of course offerings, but nothing like that. Where do you go?</p>

<p>I go to a public school in Pennsylvania -- West Chester East High School.</p>

<p>--csstudy</p>

<p>Is anyone willing to answer my original question?</p>

<p>Thank you.</p>

<p>-csstudy</p>

<p>first of all, csstudy, you are a freshman. i suggest you work on your academics more than you do worrying about getting into a good college. it will all fall into place in your upperclassman year.</p>

<p>second of all, find a passionate extracurricular activities to do. what do you like to do in your mean time? certainly not doing 50 SAT question of the day from collegeboard. do you like to build rockets? make food? play music? help out disadvantaged people in your community? think about it, do it (even if you have to take the first initiative to start a program/group/club by yourself---this shows leadership and initiative). </p>

<p>and really do pursue your interests, if you have any right now. although I must admit, I had NO idea what I wanted to do in my freshman year, not to mention having a college list made out. I see that math and sciences arent your best subjects. or maybe you weren't trying hard enough. even if the teachers say you should be handling this on your own, CLING on to them. that's what I did with my english sophomore year. long story.</p>

<p>say, I'm interested in biology. I would try to contact the nearest research institute/community college/university to even volunteer as a glasswasher at a research place. where the real action happens. :] thats what I;m trying to do now, a rising senior, me. hey, it's better than doing nothing at all, right?</p>

<p>above all, RELAX. you're only a freshman. keep working hard, and everything will fall into place. I promose ;)</p>

<p>You can easily improve upon your grades if you dedicate yourself to your class work for the next three years. Since you're a freshman, you're in a really good position to be conscious about the academic decisions you will make in the future, and this will definitely give you an edge. Just keep up with your work, try taking challenging classes (IB, AP, Honors, whatever).</p>

<p>I also agree with the above poster, though. I would stick to your extracurriculars, but try expanding them as they suggested. If you have a passion for a certain subject, like robotics, use that to get involved and make your mark.</p>

<p>Another good suggestion is to look into studying for the standardized testing you will eventually have to take. It's always a good idea to get a head start, even if it's years away, although you should focus on your academics above that (for now).</p>

<p>Thank you for the replies, they are appreciated.</p>

<p>I was wondering for the colleges listed above the chances I had if I turned things around.</p>

<p>Thanks again.</p>

<p>-csstudy</p>

<p>You're currently making yourself. At this point, even Princeton/Stanford is possible.</p>

<p>i completely agree with mr_chipset. :]</p>

<p>Would anyone else like to offer any input?</p>

<p>-csstudy</p>