does freshman year in high school count?

<p>I just finished my freshman year in high school. I want to go to a good UC, but my freshman year in high school didn't turn out so well for me. My GPA overall for freshman year was 3.4. My next years, I am going to be a decent amount of AP classes. do i have a shot at a good UC like berekely or LA? MY dream school is CalTech, is this chance for me gone now? Next year i plan to get straight A's. I am also going to be doing a lot of community service. I play two sports, basketball and volleyball (JV)</p>

<p>Well, Princeton and Stanford do not put fresh GPA into the overall GPA. And 3.4 isn't great but it isn't horriffic a la a...2.3 So don't fret too much. You can raise it significantly. YOU ARE JUST A FRESHMAN! And it depends on the difficulty of your school too.</p>

<p>Meaning a 3.4 could be very good at some schools. Depending.</p>

<p>UCs indeed do not put ANY weight on to the freshman grades......I have similar problem but my private councilor has told me this....and he's the external reader for the berkeley admissions office. They ask you to report it of course......but even so it has absolutely NO affect on your UC admissions whatsoever even though it is reported. NONE. A person on this board had straight Cs and Ds freshman year and he (I assumer he) got into UCLA because he did better in 10th and 11th. That would have been impossible had UCLA taken 9th grade grades into account. However, that's for the UCs. As the person above me had stated, stanford and princeton do not put much importance in freshman GPA as they do in 10th and 11th. However, they DO look at your freshman records, even if they are not as important as the 10th and 11th. This, at least for stanford, I am sure of. Don't know for caltech though......never give up hope!</p>

<p>Thank you so much guys! </p>

<p>One thing though:

[quote]
However, they DO look at your freshman records, even if they are not as important as the 10th and 11th.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>so then, do you think my chances of getting into Stanford or Caltech are definitely out?</p>

<p>No. Not definitely out. Drastically improve and you have a decent chance. Cornell themselves say they're taken by drastic improvement following crappy grades from 9th, even 10th grades. I know you didn't mention Cornell, just making a point.</p>

<p>JW, how hard is your school?</p>

<p>
[quote]
JW, how hard is your school?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>like what do you mean how hard? What do you mean by hard in this case, what's considered "hard" and what's considered "easy". I think my school is pretty hard, but last year it was ranked one of the best 100 high schools in the country.</p>

<p>that's hard enough.....:) that'll help somewhat</p>

<p>are you sure? in the top 100 doesn't necessarily mean "hard" does it?</p>

<p>well considering how many schools there are in the nation.....and bear in mind the "100" count includes all the top private boarding schools across the country fomr Cal to New York......so I say it might help somewhat</p>

<p>all right, thanks, are you in high school now? what college do u plan to go to Cardinal?</p>

<p>it would have been funny if the title of this thread was "do freshman cum?"</p>

<p>to cliff hanger: yea i go to a highschool in the east bay area in Cali. Not too competitive, public, ranked 35th in the state so REALLY not competitive..........i had a C in freshman amongst all the As and even though I got it fixed to A it really bugged me.....but than my guidance councilor told me they don't count at all :)
I REALLY want to go to either Princeton or Stanford and go on to medical school.....but seeing as my end of the junior year GPA will be around 4.24 and UW 3.92 im not really convinced of my chances....I'll just hope for the best and set my "realistic" sights on UCB.
Oh by the way are you Asian...? just wonderin.... =)</p>

<p>oh and btw, UCs recalcualte your GPA using their a-g qualified courses and 10th/11th grade grades........I think for both weighted and unweighted. Also, they put your a-g unit count above your SAT scores in deciding your admission. Sounds weird huh. You might be wonderin what a-g unit count is about........but trust me this could very well be the reason berkeley rejects those with 4.0+ GPA and perfect SATs....that's how important it is . I advise you to bring up your unit count asap, and since you are a freshman you have a good chance of doing this. If you wanna know more, just reply on this thread.
(btw, all this info came from my guidence councilor I mentioned on the post above......seeing as he IS the admit officer in UCB, I think it is safe to assume all this info is THE truth)</p>

<p>all right, yeah i think i saw "a-g" courses somewhere when we got my high school courses form at the beg. of the year. i'll go check and post them in a reply soon</p>

<p>UC A-G course info can be found on the UCOP website:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.ucop.edu/doorways/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.ucop.edu/doorways/&lt;/a>
<a href="http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/undergrad_adm/paths_to_adm/freshman/subject_reqs.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/undergrad_adm/paths_to_adm/freshman/subject_reqs.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>ok, this is my high school's A-G List, i bring up my "A-g" unit count by...taking as many of these courses as possible or what?</p>

<p>a-History / Social Science - 2 years required
Two years of history/social science, including one year of World History, Cultures or Geography; and one year of US History or one-half year of US History and one-half year of American Government/Civics
Course Title Transcript Abbreviation(s) Category Honors Type Course Notes
American Government A&B (AP) American Government / Civics AP Semester<br>
European History (AP) AP EUROP HIST, AP EUROP HIST A, AP EUROP HIST B World History / Geography / Cultures AP<br>
Political Economy American Government / Civics Allow 1 semester for American Government.<br>
U.S. History US HISTORY U.S. History<br>
United States History A&B (AP) AP US HISTORY, AP US HISTORY A, AP US HISTORY B U.S. History AP<br>
World Studies WORLD STUDIES World History / Geography / Cultures<br>
World Studies (H) H WORLD STUDIES World History / Geography / Cultures<br>
World Studies SH WORLD STDIES SH World History / Geography / Cultures </p>

<p>b-English - 4 years required
Four years of college preparatory English. Students may only use 1 year of ESL/ELD, SDAIE, or Sheltered English.
Course Title Transcript Abbreviation(s) Category Honors Type Course Notes
American Literature AMERICAN LIT English<br>
American Literature (H) H AMERICAN LIT English<br>
British Literature English<br>
British Literature (H) H BRITISH LIT English<br>
College Prep Reading & Composition English<br>
ELD 3 ENG LANG DEV 3 English-ESL/ELD Allow max. of 1 unit for ESL/ELD courses<br>
English Lang and Comp A/B (AP) AP ENG LANG, AP ENG LANG A, AP ENG LANG B English AP<br>
English Lit and Comp A/B (AP) English AP<br>
English: Composition & Literature Eng Comp/Lit 10, Eng Comp/Lit 9 English<br>
Mythology MYTHOLOGY English<br>
World Literature & Composition WORLD LIT/COMP English </p>

<p>c-Mathematics - 3 years required, 4 years recommended
Three years of college preparatory mathematics that includes the topics covered in Elementary Algebra/Algebra 1, Geometry and Advanced Algebra/Algebra 2. Approved Integrated Math courses may be used to fulfill part or all of this requirement.
Course Title Transcript Abbreviation(s) Category Honors Type Course Notes
Algebra 1 ALGEBRA 1 Algebra 1<br>
Algebra 1/9 Algebra 1<br>
Algebra 1A & 1B Algebra 1<br>
Algebra 1A/9 Algebra 1<br>
Algebra 2 ALGEBRA 2, H ALGEBRA 2 Algebra 2<br>
Algebra 2/Trigonometry (H) HON ALG2/TRIG Algebra 2<br>
AP Statistics A/B AP Statistics A, AP Statistics B Advanced Mathematics AP<br>
College Algebra Advanced Mathematics<br>
Geometry GEOMETRY Geometry<br>
Geometry (H) H GEOMETRY Geometry<br>
Pre-Calculus (H) H PRE-CALCULUS Advanced Mathematics H </p>

<p>d-Laboratory Science - 2 years required, 3 years recommended
Two years of laboratory science, including two of the three fundamental disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. This requirement can also be met by completing the latter two years of a 3-year Integrated Science program.
Course Title Transcript Abbreviation(s) Category Honors Type Course Notes
Advanced Premedical Studies I A/B Adv Premed I A/B Biological Science<br>
Advanced Premedical Studies II A/B Adv Premed II A/B Biological Science<br>
AP Physics AP Physics A, AP Physics A/B, AP Physics B Physics AP<br>
AP Physics A/B AP Physics A, AP Physics B Physics AP<br>
Biology A/B BIOLOGY, BIOLOGY A, BIOLOGY A/B, BIOLOGY B Biological Science<br>
Biology A/B (AP) AP BIOLOGY, AP BIOLOGY A, AP BIOLOGY B Biological Science AP<br>
Chemistry A/B CHEMISTRY, CHEMISTRY A, CHEMISTRY A/B, CHEMISTRY B Chemistry<br>
Chemistry A/B (AP) AP CHEMISTRY, AP CHEMISTRY A, AP CHEMISTRY B Chemistry AP<br>
Physics A/B PHYSICS, PHYSICS A/B Physics </p>

<p>e-Language Other than English - 2 years required, 3 years recommended
Two years of the same language other than English.
Course Title Transcript Abbreviation(s) Category Honors Type Course Notes
French 1 F/S FRENCH 1F LOTE Year 1<br>
French 2 F/S FRENCH 2S LOTE Year 2<br>
French 3 F/S FRENCH 3, FRENCH 3A, FRENCH 3B LOTE Year 3<br>
French 4 (AP) LOTE Year 4+ AP<br>
Korean 1 F/S LOTE Year 1<br>
Korean 2 F/S LOTE Year 2<br>
Korean 3 F/S LOTE Year 3<br>
Korean 4 F/S LOTE Year 4+<br>
Korean 5 F/S (H) LOTE Year 4+ H<br>
Spanish 1 F/S SPANISH 1, SPANISH 1F LOTE Year 1<br>
Spanish 2 F/S SPANISH 2, SPANISH 2F, SPANISH 2S LOTE Year 2<br>
Spanish 3 F/S SPANISH 3, SPANISH 3A, SPANISH 3B, SPANISH 3F, SPANISH 3S LOTE Year 3<br>
Spanish 3 F/S (H) H SPANISH 3, H SPANISH 3A, H SPANISH 3B LOTE Year 3<br>
Spanish 4 (AP) AP SPANISH LOTE Year 4+ AP<br>
Spanish 4 F/S (H) H SPANISH 4A, H SPANISH 4, H SPANISH 4A, H SPANISH 4S LOTE Year 4+ H </p>

<p>f-Visual & Performing Arts - 1 year required
Course Title Transcript Abbreviation(s) Category Honors Type Course Notes
Advanced Drama F/S Advanced Drama F, Advanced Drama S Theater Arts (Advanced)<br>
Advanced Painting & Drawing F/S Advanced Painting & Drawing F, Advanced Painting & Drawing S Visual Arts (Advanced)<br>
AP Art: Drawing AP Art: Drawing A, AP Art: Drawing B Visual Arts (Advanced) AP<br>
Art History A/B (AP) AP ART HISTRY Visual Arts (Advanced) AP<br>
Ceramics F/S Adv Ceramics F, Adv Ceramics S, Ceramics F, Ceramics S Visual Arts (Intro)<br>
Chamber Ensemble A/B Chamber Ensemble A, Chamber Ensemble B Music (Intro)<br>
Color & Design Color & Design Visual Arts (Intro)<br>
Computer Graphics F/S Computer Art F, Computer Art S, Computer Graphics F, Computer Graphics S Visual Arts (Intro)<br>
Concert Band A/B Concert Band A, Concert Band B Music (Intro)<br>
Creative Drama F/S CREATIV DRAMA, CREATIV DRAMA A, CREATIV DRAMA B, Creative Drama F, Creative Drama S Theater Arts (Intro)<br>
Dance Ensemble A/B DANCE ENSMBLE, DANCE ENSMBLE B, Dance Ensmble A Dance (Intro)<br>
Guitar GUITAR 1A, Guitar 1F, Guitar 1S, Guitar 2F, Guitar 2S Music (Intro) Semester<br>
I.H.S. Chorale A/B I.H.S. Chorale A, I.H.S. Chorale B, IHS CHORALE Music (Intro) Semester<br>
Intermediate Dance INT DANCE, INT DANCE A, INT DANCE B Dance (Advanced)<br>
Intermediate Drama F/S INT DRAMA F, INT DRAMA, INT DRAMA S Theater Arts (Advanced)<br>
Irvine Singers A/B IRVINE SNGERS, Irvine Singers A, Irvine Singers B Music (Intro)<br>
Jazz Ensemble I A/B JAZZ ENSMBLE 1, Jazz Ensemble I A, Jazz Ensemble I B Music (Intro)<br>
Jazz Ensemble II A/B JAZZ ENSEMBLE 2, JAZZ ENSMBL 2, JAZZ ENSMBLE 2, Jazz Ensemble II A, Jazz Ensemble II B Music (Advanced)<br>
Men's Chorus A/B Bass Chorus F, Bass Chorus S, Men's Chorus A/B Music (Intro)<br>
Multicultural Art F/S Multicultural Art F, Multicultural Art S Visual Arts (Intro)<br>
Music Theory A/B (AP) AP Music Theory A, AP Music Theory B Music (Advanced) AP<br>
Painting & Drawing A/B Paint/Drw F, Paint/Drw S Visual Arts (Intro)<br>
Photographic Arts F/S Photo Arts F, Photo Arts S Visual Arts (Advanced)<br>
Piano F/S Piano F, Piano S Music (Intro)<br>
Portfolio A/B AP Art Studio A, AP Srt Studio B Visual Arts (Advanced) AP<br>
String Orchestra A/B STRING ORCHST, STRING ORCHST 2, String Orchestra A, String Orchestra B, String Orchestra F, String Orchestra S Music (Intro)<br>
Symphonic Band A/B SYMPH BAND, SYMPH BAND B, Symphonic Band F, Symphonic Band S Music (Intro)<br>
Symphonic Orchestra 1A/B SYMPH ORCH 1A, SYMPH ORCH 1B, Symphonic Orchestra A, Symphonic Orchestra B, Symphonic Orchestra F, Symphonic Orchestra S Music (Intro)<br>
Technical Theatre A/B TECH THEATRE, TECH THEATRE A, TECH THEATRE B, Technical Theatre S, Technical Theatre F Theater Arts (Intro)<br>
Treble Chorus A/B TREBLE CHORUS, Treble Chorus F, Treble Chorus S Music (Intro)<br>
Visual Imagery Visual Imagery Visual Arts (Intro) The school submitted course the as CP Adv. Photography Arts AB, but per ROP the cousre will be list as Visual Imagery.<br>
Wind Ensemble A/B WIND ENSMBL, WIND ENSMBL A, WIND ENSMBL B Music (Intro)<br>
Women's Chorus A/B Beg. Treble Chorus F, Beg. Treble Chorus S, WOMENS CHORUS, Women's Chorus A, Women's Chorus B Music (Intro) </p>

<p>g-Elective - 1 year required
One year (two semesters), in addition to those required in "a-f" above. All courses must be listed under "a-f" above with the exception of courses marked with a blue diamond () in Mathematics, Language Other than English, and VPA; plus the following:
Course Title Transcript Abbreviation(s) Category Honors Type Course Notes
Adv Journalism ADV JOURNALSM English Allow one semester<br>
Beginning Journalism Beg Journalism English Semester<br>
Comparative Religions (H) H COMP RELIGION History / Social Science Semester<br>
Creative Writing CREATIVE WRITIN, CREATVE WRIT 1 English<br>
Discussion & Debate English<br>
Global Science A/B GLOBAL SCI, GLOBAL SCI A/B Science-Physical<br>
Psychology PSYCHOLOGY History / Social Science Semester</p>

<p>do you have aim account? mine is the same as my CC screen name........im me and I will tell you all about the right way of doing things..,.....
there's just too much to explain so iming is the best way............trust me you won't regret it! :)</p>

<p>oh actually just email me at <a href="mailto:ychong@sbcglobal.net">ychong@sbcglobal.net</a> cuz im not online all the time</p>

<p>are you on aim whenever you're on CC? i have aim i added your screen name. try to go on as much as possible lol, i have a lota college ?'s</p>