Do I have a chance?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hi guys! Like the title says, I’m here to ask about my chances at going into some selective schools based on my grades. I am currently a freshman with a low GPA due to family issues. Can anyone here tell me the chances at getting into some of my dream schools; Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Northwestern, New York University Stern school of Business, Booth School of Business of the University of Chicago, or Haas School of Business.

Here are my grades!
Grades:
Semester 1: (Unweighted)
Global Honors - 98
English Honors - 90
Living Environment Honors - 98
Spanish 2 - 88
Geometry - 85
Computer Science - 88
Junior Reserved Officer’s Training Corps - 95

Semester 2: (Unweighted)
Global Honors - 98
English Honors - 94
Living Environment Honors - 98
Spanish 2 - 88
Geometry - 76
Computer Science - 83
Junior Reserved Officer’s Training Corps - 93

Extra Curricular So Far:

  • 4 years experience playing the Saxophone
  • 1 year marching band (went on 5 big parades in the city)
  • volunteered for 2 years at my local community association as a Teacher’s Assistant

I know that these grades are not stellar, but do I stand a chance at getting into some of my dream schools? The year is about to end, and I estimate that I will end my freshman year with a 90%. I go to the largest public school in my city with over 5,000 students. I am just worried that my low grades will significantly impact my class rank, overall GPA. Am I right to fear that this will my chances at going into a selective school of my choice? Please be candid in any advice giving. I need the cold hard truth in order to improve.

2

You cannot apply to UCB Haas as a Freshman college applicant. You need to take the Haas pre-req courses and apply after Sophomore year in college. It is way too early to be looking at colleges. Just do your best for the next 2 years, get some ACT/SAT test prep and do some EC’s that you love.

https://www.haas.berkeley.edu/Undergrad/application.html

http://haas.berkeley.edu/Undergrad/current/

3

You are only a freshman! At this point, you want to keep your GPA as high as possible. Colleges look for an upward curve. Try and improve next year and the following years. Don’t stress too much! You have time to develop your application. Also, remember that the colleges do not only look at grades!

4

I understand that I am still a freshman, but I keep on hearing stories how people mess up freshman year, pull up their grades every other year, but didn’t get into their dream college because they did bad at freshman year.

5

@bryancarden902

Most colleges don’t look at your freshman year, or at least they weigh it very lightly. Just focus on that upward trend!

6

Colleges can be incredibly unpredictable. Yes, it may be optimal to have a 4.0 going into the college process. However, it is not always necessary. People with excellent stats get rejected and people with stats much lower get in. You can’t change the past. You can work on improving your GPA and doing extracurriculars that you are passionate about.