<p>Hey. I am a Female senior at a small private school in Los Angeles that does not rank. I really messed up in my freshman year, but got over it and started doing really well afterward. My weighted GPA 10-12 is 4.11, my weighted GPA 9-12 is 3.7, my unweighted GPA 10-12 is 3.7 and my unweighted GPA 9-12 is 3.3. My SAT score was 2320, with an 800 on writing, 770 on CR and 750 on Math. My SAT 2’s were 730 on math2, 680 on Spanish and 690 on lit. I am co-president of student council, have traveled to mexico to build houses, do walks for aids and diabetes and such, tutor kids at my school, and have been on varsity tennis for 4 years. Have a job at the grocery store, and am doing an independent study class on education. Writing a 40 page paper for it. I am an interesting case, as I went to drug rehab and am being open about that in my apps. I am making it more about my parents’ divorce though, and am using that to explain my poor grades and trip to rehab. Im not making excuses though, it’s just true. I am sober and everything now, taking ALL honors classes, really pulling myself up. was wondering if you could give me any insight as to how my chances are. thanks.</p>
<p>I think that if you showed in your essays how you learned and grew from your experiences, you are very competitive. Your scores and such are very good and well within range. EC's look strong as well.</p>
<p>Your stats look very on target, but who can know what will happen with the admission committee at a highly selective school? I would say that any candidate -- it isn't personal to you or your story. </p>
<p>To my mind, you have already won the big one. Congratulations to you. It sounds as though you're poised to get a whole lot out of wherever you go. All the best for continued successes.</p>
<p>Some schools don't even consider freshman grades. Check around on CC and you'll find them if you are interested in exploring that route. And everyone loves a rising GPA trend.</p>
<p>I think that the opposite might be true - if you are truly over your drug experience and have come out of it strong, it might be looked upon as a hook... who knows?</p>
<p>Yes, I have a friend who had an ordeal SOPHOMORE year with drugs (using and dealing heavily). It was a huge thing in our school since this has never ever happened to us on such a scale.</p>
<p>He missed the second half of Sophomore year but moved on to Junior year because he was truly a smart and hardworking kid (summer courses, help from teachers as well). His sophomore GPA, however, plagued him horribly.</p>
<p>You could have your guidance counselor highlight your drug+ rehab experience, because it really is a huge triumph. If you can bounce back the way you did, as Ernie H. said, it might add hugely to your profile as someone who can surmount the greatest of challenges. Although, you may need to emphasize repeatedly that you are now entirely drug free (I'm pretty sure someone advised my friend to do that).</p>
<p>My friend had a teacher he really trusted (who reported his drug problem in the first place) write him a recommendation. The teacher briefly hinted at the drug issue as well. My friend mentioned his drug experience in an essay, but it was not the main subject of his essay.</p>
<p>He's now a sophomore at Cornell, his dream school. I sincerely hope you get in; yours is a story that really moves people, I think.</p>