<p>I just finished my first semester of sophomore year in high school with a TERRIBLE 2.8 GPA. I don't have any valid excuses for messing up, I just slacked off incredibly. However, I know I can do better and I will. If I receive a 4.0 next semester and nothing less than straight A's junior and senior year, can I still get into top notch UC's like Berkeley or Davis? I'm going to take AP classes next year and do as much community service as I can. I'm also going to participate in a study abroad program in London next summer. Do colleges like that? Also, would my improvement and upward trend in GPA help? I really hope so. I don't want this horrible semester to affect my future. Any kind of help would be appreciated. :-)</p>
<p>It’s not exactly going to help you, but I don’t think it will decrease your chances so much that you have no hope of getting in.</p>
<p>How many UC approved honors/AP courses are you taking this year and next year? And how many college prep classes are you taking each semester?</p>
<p>This year I’m taking two honors courses, History and English (My school doesn’t offer an AP option for these classes until junior year). Next year I’m going to take AP History and English. My school is very new and doesn’t offer many AP classes :/</p>