Hello! I have a question about my GPA. Right now my GPA is 2.9 and i really want to get it up to 3.5 until 1st quarter ends (because i want to apply early decision and early action to some of my colleges) But i don’t know if it will count because it is only the first quarter, it’s not even first semester. So will it count? Can i get my GPA to 3.5 when i’ll apply ED or EA this fall?
Your first quarter GPA will count, but the GPA that goes to the college will be
2.9*6 (quarters) = 17.4
17.4+3.5 (new quarter) = 20.9 / 7 (quarters) = 2.98
^^^
While I agree that she can’t get her GPA up with only one quarter of A’s senior year, I don’t think the above is right.
I think the above is counting semesters, not quarters.
Grades 9 - 12 would be 12 quarters.
So, she’s had 12 qtrs that cum to a 2.9 …12 x 2.9 = (34.8)
34.8 + 4.0 (all A’s) = 38.8…38.8 / 13 quarters = 2.98
I’m not sure if the student is asking if she can get her cum up to a 3.5 (if she got all A’s), or if she is asking if a 3.5 first quarter will make much difference. Either way, no.
However, it’s late, and I may have made a mistake. 
One of the best reasons NOT to apply ED or EA is to use the first semester of your senior year to bolster one’s GPA. If you apply EA or ED, all you’ll have is your 2.9 which will likely guarantee universal rejections – even from schools with avg admissions standards.
As others have said, even if you get all As in your next semester’s classes, you’ll barely be at 3.0 cumulative GPA. Please make an appt w/your guidance counselor to craft a realistic list of attainable and affordable schools. They will have the best info for you about area schools where previous kids of similar stats were successful.
If you google the “common data set” for any college and look at section C, you get a glimpse at the typical admitted student. You can confirm what others have told you about Penn and NYU. Also try the “SuperMatch” feature on the left column on this site.