Does an upward trend really help you? I NEED SOME HOPE!!

<p>Hey guys,
Just to start off I want to say my first year and a half of high school I really f'd up. I really need some hope, I purely blame it on myself, I was very lazy and very unaware of the college process as I thought my terrible GPA was decent. Basically since then I've had no less than a 3.42 in a 1/4 and this year i'm looking to have a 3.85 cumulative(junior year) and my GPA will be up to a 3.1 by the end of the year(YES its that bad). I also plan to do well on the standerdized tests and etc and I have a good amount of ECs. Basically I need some hope, i've heard having an upward really helps in the college admission process. So does it? PLEASE ANSWER HELP IS NEEDED!!!!</p>

<p>P.S: I'm a URM Black African from NIgeria, well born in the U.S but i consider myself more Nigerian than American.</p>

<p>upward trends definitely help. they show that you’ve worked hard and improved yourself.
I started off as an ELD student, and eventually took AP Lang in junior year. I think my ED School - Cooper Union saw potential from my upward trend and improvement, so I got accepted.
Good luck!!</p>

<p>Yes, colleges want to see that your grades are on the rise. Just make sure that you choose schools that are an academic fit. By this, I mean check what the average GPA and test scores were for the previous year, and choose schools where you are within their stats. Also, if there is a specific reason for your upward trend, you can express it in your essay. Colleges want to make sure they select students who will do well at their school. Keep up the good work!</p>

<p>It will look very good. However, this does not mean a shot at top colleges. You will have to do very well on essays and stuff.
All in all: yes it looks good.</p>

<p>It depends. At my school, three kids applied Early Decision to Univ. of Pennsylvania, which is a member of the Ivy League (not Penn State!). One kid (ironically, me) had consistently earned straight A’s with just 1 B over 3-3.5 years. The other two had a few B’s and/or A’s in more unweighted classes. I got in; they didn’t. Did essays, recs, activities, and other factors play into the admissions process? Sure. But if there is an applicant from your school with better/more consistent grades, and they also have top-notch essays, recs, etc., I am sorry to say the odds are in their favor of getting in, not yours.</p>

<p>I’m not really interested in getting into Top schools, as i realized i have no chance lol. I’m looking at like Syracuse, Ohio State, Maryland(high reach but its in-state) and some other state schools and big private schools.</p>

<p>It helps a bit. going B-B-B-B-A-A-A-A isnt as good as straight As the whole time or even a B or two towards the end, but it will top the kids who had a downward trend wit hthe same GPA.</p>