Do Letter Grades Really Count? - My Chances.

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I have recently been looking at colleges (maybe too much for being a sophomore) and I have become increasingly worried over the prospect of not getting into a good school because of my not perfect letter grades I have received so far in HS.</p>

<p>The colleges I want to go to:
- Macalaster College
- University of Chicago
- University of Illinois UC
- Knox College
- Reed College
- Hampshire College
- Tufts
- Stanford (miracle)</p>

<p>As you can see, I want to major somewhere in the humanities area.</p>

<p>My GPA:</p>

<p>3.7 on a 4.0 Scale.</p>

<p>My Classes:</p>

<p>All AP classes except Math.</p>

<p>I have done extremely well in my classes, but late homework assignments here and there have given me some "B's." Those B's were in my AP classes though, so I don't know how it'll affect that. I got a C in Math for freshman year...</p>

<p>My English teacher told me this semester that I have been one of his best students when it comes to writing and expressing my opinions.</p>

<p>My journalism teacher recommended university of Chicago to me...but cited my less than perfect grades.. but they all think I am an amazing writer, and very passionate about subjects pertaining to philosophy and politics.</p>

<p>All of my teachers, both freshman and sophomore, have noted in Parent Teacher Conferences that I'm one of the most unique student to pass through my high school in a long time. </p>

<p>ECs:</p>

<ul>
<li>Student Senate - one year.</li>
<li>Key Club since beginning.</li>
<li>Treasurer of Art Club.</li>
<li>Progressive Club since beginning.</li>
<li>Nominated for NYLC conference in DC (didn't go).</li>
<li>co-founder of a local youth awareness group that deals with poverty and student rights in my town.</li>
<li>4 year member of an anti-war group in town.</li>
<li>Co-editor in chief of my schools newspaper. I mostly do investigative reporting, along with editing other peoples articles.</li>
<li>Cross Country all of HS (will be captain senior year).</li>
<li>Completed an Independent Study project on poverty in the Dominican Republic. I went there for two weeks and worked in a shantytown and interviewed people there - making a documentary about my journey.</li>
<li>Regular writer for student section of my city's newspaper.</li>
<li>Have worked with local school board campaigns.</li>
<li>Vice President of photography club.</li>
<li>A few of my poverty photos have made it into a United Nations newsletter.</li>
<li>Have won numerous writing awards, one going to state.</li>
<li>Volunteer Regularly at local food pantry as well as other charities from tiem to time.</li>
</ul>

<p>Standardized Testing:</p>

<p>I got a 31 out of 36 on the PLAN (Act) test - cumulative. I plan on taking it again in hopes of getting a 33-35.</p>

<p>I plan on taking the PSAT soon.</p>

<p>Future:</p>

<p>What should be my course of action for my junior and senior year? I really want to get into U of C, and I hear that an outstanding essay may outweigh a few B's and a couple of isolated C's in High school... Is this true? Also, I plan on taking all four years of French...will this help me - particularly this language?</p>

<p>Thank you!!</p>

2

<p>bump bump bump!</p>

3

<p>Yes, Chicago is big on the essays. If you do very well on those, you have a chance. Same goes with the other schools… except possibly Stanford. Try to get high SAT/ACT scores, and you’ll be fine. </p>

<p>Junior/Senior year? Take the hardest classes and do your best. Take the SAT?ACTs. Continue with your ECs.</p>

4

<p>bumpity bump (thanks Savs)</p>

5

<p>You are in good shape for all of the colleges on your list. My advice: Don’t spend too much time reading College Confidential - it will only add to your anxiety. Instead, next year focus on continuing to do well in school, enjoying your high school activities, and preparing for the SAT and/or ACT. Be sure to also start visiting some of the colleges you’re considering, if you can. Don’t be surprised if your list changes quite a bit between now and senior year. You will too. :)</p>

6

<p>Thanks carolyn!</p>

<p>I guess I’m worried about colleges such as Uchicago looking away at my app simply because of my B’s and one C, and not looking at my essays/recommendations/ECs</p>

<p>Do colleges take a close look at your freshman year the way they do junior year?</p>

7

<p>bumpity bump</p>

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<p>b-u-m-p :]</p>

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<p>i’m kinda in the same situation as you, i’m a sophomore and in ap calc i hav a b, so my gpa and ranking is lower than the rest of my class..
but i think if they see that all your classes were APs as a sophomore, they will understand…that’s the impression i’m under, and hoping is true..:)</p>