<p>Hello all. </p>
<p>Rising senior considering Carnegie Mellon first and foremost, along with some other top schools.</p>
<p>AP: 9 (self studied 2)
Honors: 13
GPA: 3.7 UW / 4.92 W
SAT: Based off of my practice tests, I think a 2200 is realistic.
Freshman: 3.6 (no honors) - Easiest course load
Sophomore: 3.2 (all honors aside from Biology - English, Alg II, and business law). Self studied AP Micro/Macro econ and achieved a 5 on both. The issue I faced was the passing of my grandfather and death of a close friend, resulting in straight B's second semester along with a D in honors English.
Junior: 4.0 (all honors, along with AP Stat, APUSH, AP Comp Science, and AP Environmental GeoSci)
Projected senor: 4.0 (all honors, AP Calc, AP Bio, AP Euro hist, AP Physics)</p>
<p>I have an extremely strong upward trend (aside from sophomore year), going from a 3.6 UW freshman year with no honors to a 4.0 junior year with the most rigorous courseload possible. I go to a very competitive and recognized public school in the Pittsburgh area, just 20 minutes away from Carnegie Mellon, my dream school.</p>
<p>However, I'm very worried about the D that I have on my transcript, although it was due to some pretty severe circumstances, I feel as if admissions won't be able to look past it. I went from an A in english first semester to a D second, with B's and some A's in everything else. Even if I make a 4.0 next year, I'll just barely make a 3.75. If I explain the D in my essays/interview, will I still have a shot? I'm definitley applying ED. I'm assuming that I'm in the top 20% of my class (as least, as we count weighted not unweighted).</p>
<p>EC's:
-Varsity track for throwing 3 years, captain for 2 years. LW rowing coxswain 2 years.
-Interned at state governers office last summer, doing so this summer as well.
-350 hours over 3 years at a summer camp and also my church.
-Summer rowing program, went to CMU's AP/EA program last summer and took econ just for fun. Got an A. Hope this shows my deep interest for the school.
-President and founder of Slavic club at my high school. Recently started a fund raiser to assist those who were protesting in Kyiv. Raised over $4,500 in just 2 months.
-FBLA, Science club, Investment club, Debate, Model UN, Student council (leadership on each)</p>
<p>Didn't take any language in school, took Latin online however. Fluent in Ukrainian and Russian. Learned Hungarian sophomore year.</p>
<p>Additional:
-White
-Female
-I have no doubt that I can ace the interview
-I think my essays should be exceptional
-Probably applying for FA
-My recommendations should be pretty good</p>
<p>Any chances would be greatly appreciated! I'm also considering NYU, Columbia, and U Chicago, and Georgetown.</p>
<p>If anyone could cover the failing grade I received and if it's even worth applying to the above schools, I'd be greatly appreciative! Thanks!</p>
Just explain the D and you should be a solid candidate at all the schools. Columbia and Chicago might be reaches b/c of GPA but there’s nothing wrong with applying.</p>