So freshman year I really messed up (2.7 GPA). But, I have improved A LOT since then.
Sophomore year: 4.3
Junior year: 4.6
SAT: 2250
ACT: 34
I have four years of: theatre, volleyball, debate, student government/council, student newspaper, science club, co-founder of a local chapter of an organization, starter of the mock trial team and National honor society in my school.
My school doesn’t rank besides valedictorian because we are a very, very small, rigorous private school.
ARE MY FRESHMAN GRADES GOING TO RUIN ME!?
It limits you from some of the tippy top schools but your test scores will be welcome by the vast majority of colleges
Would it have better for you to have an overal 4.3 GPA? Of course – and you know it too. But as long as you take a tough schedule next semester, you’ll have a good many schools where you’re a viable candidate. Spk w/your guid counselor – that’s what your family’s tuition payments go for. He or she will be able to help you craft a good list of target schools. Have the money talk w/your parents ASAP too. Good luck.
You can talk to the GC at your school. Presumably you’re not the first person with this trend. It’s your first (and only?) time looking at colleges but your guidance counselor has done it for many students over several years.
The other tactic is to ask the other end - colleges. So, go to a college fair or if colleges come to your school, ask them. Seriously. If Columbia comes to your school, get the business card. Then email or call them, say you’re interested in the school and ask. (If nothing else, this shows interest.)
I suspect colleges will see your transcript as view you as someone who had a difficult transition to high school. How they view that is unknown.
Assuming that I maintained grades at least as good as my junior year grades for senior year, do you think I could get in places like Stanford, Berkeley, GeorgiaTech, Georgetown, Michigan, or UNC-Chapel Hill? I know it’s a reach considering my freshman year grades but those are my top schools right now… and I know that Berkeley and Stanford don’t heavily weigh freshman year grades, but I must admit, my freshman grades do really hurt my cumulative GPA.
Oh yeah, and I also took the SAT my freshman year just to see where I was at - so I didn’t study - I got a 1560. Do you think colleges will care about that score, or can I just explain what that score was for?
Colleges won’t care about that score with your current one. As far as all those reaches, and they are reaches, they will only have first semester senior year grades to consider. Do well… Who knows?
I think you’ll be able to get into Berkeley, as long as through your personal essay, you make sure to imply your hard work in achieving an upward trend as well as development and understanding. Make sure to tell them how you will keep up with the better grades and follow through at college.
You’ve really displayed what you are capable of, motivation, and drive. That says a lot about you. You may not get into certain reach schools, but who knows about the other aspects of your application that we do not, so give it your best shot. Wherever you do end up going, you have what it takes to do well, and that is most significant.