Hi,
I am currently finishing up my first semester in junior year. I was taking 4 AP courses and I was not doing so well initially - in fact my grades were D's and C's. However half way through the semester I realized why I was getting poor grades,drastically changed my study habits, and started to get consistent A's and high B's on assignments and tests. So in the end, I have 3 B's and 1 C in those AP courses. I believe that if I keep up with my new study methods, I can get all A's second semester. I just really hope that my first semester in junior year will not drag me down and prevent me from getting into a good college. So if I get all A's second semester, will I still have a decent chance into getting into a mid to higher tier college? My EC are decent enough and my Sat score range,if all goes well according to the all the practice tests, is 2200-2300. So do I still have a chance to get into a good college? I am really worried right now.
There’s too much unknown to adequately pinpoint what schools you could possibly get into. Your GPA, SAT scores, and college essays are unknown. I wouldn’t count on Ivy League acceptances if I were you, just stating that right now. Junior year is extremely important for transcripts, but there’s still a chance for middle tier schools.
Put a lot of effort into your college essays and take some SAT IIs. Most importantly, don’t give up hope.
Yes you can get into a good college. One tough semester won’t hold you back if everything else is in order - good test scores, good grades second semester, good recommendation letters, reasonable ECs. "Middle tier schools’ in the post above makes it sounds like mediocre schools. Actually, the range of schools below ‘highly selective’ includes many that are excellent and would be glad to have a solid student who needed a semester to fix his or her study skills. (And a letter of rec from a teacher who saw the change and can speak to it would probably be of value.)
@N’s Mom That would only apply if all goes well. OP’s app so far only has the benefits of a decent SAT score and a good curriculum rigor. We don’t know about SAT IIs, overall GPA, ECs, actual second semester grades, reccs, essays, etc.
Also, you keep using the phrase “good college” and “middle tier” almost mutually exclusively, as if selectivity has something to do with how good a college is. Which is not necessarily true.
Thanks! That is just what I needed to hear. (I never wanted to go an Ivy league anyway). Wish me luck!