Does Freshman year count a lot?

Applying to College
1

Hello, I just finished freshman year and I’m not so fond about my stats for it. I was wondering if freshman year counts a lot for colleges and if my stats are good I guess. Keep in mind I am a lazy person but I am a fast worker. I spent 15-20 minutes on homework/studying every night, but I plan to actually work hard next year.

Here are my stats:
3.6 avg GPA for the year (unweighted but I took no honors)
Avg effort in each class (it is stated on my report card)
PSAT: 85th percentile (I don’t remember the exact score)

Classes I am taking next year. My realistic expectation is a 3.9 unweighted GPA next year if I work hard:
Geometry Honors
Spanish 4 Honors
English 2 Honors
US History Honors
Biology
Video Production 1
Entrepreneurial studies

Extra curriculars and other outside of school stuff:
Varsity Soccer
Varsity Lacrosse
Model UN
Trilingual
16 hours of community service
Member of the gifted child society
I run my own business and have made over 20k
Interning at a textile company over the summer

Extra curriculars and other outside of school stuff I am doing next year:
Varsity Soccer
Varsity Track
Model UN
My business I mentioned before
DECA club
Community service club

I do not know if this stuff matters but:
IQ: 142 (I do not know if it counts since I will be the first one to study college in the US)
Nationality: Turkish so I guess Middle Eastern or European (not exactly sure because some people count it as Europe but some don’t). I am also an immigrant
Type of school: Private/Boarding (I didn’t attend an amazing school this year but am transferring to one of the top 200 private schools/top 40 boarding schools in the country next year)
Financial aid: Most likely not needed

My family and I do not know a lot about college admissions in the US so I just wanted to ask for help. I do not know if half of the stuff I listed above matters too much but I just listed in in case it does.

2

I would say that an upward trend could help offset a rough freshmen year but please remember getting into schools is competitive. You will be competing against kids you may have gotten off to a great start in HS. That being said there are schools for everyone. Just do your best and it is too early to start chancing yourself.

3

Some colleges don’t look at freshman grades, others discount them heavily. At high schools that rank, they will be included in that calculation, so they matter in that regard.

Do your best going forward, and you will be fine. At this point, what’s done is done.

4

IQ not considered in college admissions. You are doing fine and many Freshman do not have access to Honors courses Freshman year. As an International applicant, you want to be a top student in your country especially if you need financial aid to attend a US university. Continue to strive to do your best.

5

@123Mom456 @gardenstategal Thank you. A 3.6 isn’t terrible though, right?

6

Thank you @Gumbymom I am a domestic student (I have dual citizenship) and I won’t need any financial aid. Would that affect anything? Also, thank you and I will try my best

7

Yes, it’s fine.

8

Being full pay at need-aware colleges will help your chances but you still need to be up to their academic caliber for any school that you apply to Senior year.

9

Thank you @Gumbymom @gardenstategal @123Mom456 Will being at a school with a good reputation help?

10

A 3.6 UW is not a bad GPA and yes being at a school that is know for it’s academic rigor is helpful.

11

@123Mom456 Thank you so much for the help