First Semester GPA a killer?

Applying to College
1

<p>So I've posted on this before, but it's really bothering me and I wanted new opinions on the topic. Before I ask though let me note that I have very good EC's, community service, rigor of courses, and will have good recs. This is solely about my GPA and its effect on my admissions.</p>

<p>I currently have a 3.66 UW GPA and a 4.21 W... Which is pretty good in my book, and I'm decently pleased. </p>

<p>However, my freshman year FIRST semester, as in the first 3 courses I ever took, I got a B+ a B and a B-. My only other B's are B+'s in very competitive english courses. That one semester has a 3.0 UW average and a 3.5 W average. </p>

<p>Without that semester I would have a 3.78 UW and a 4.34 W GPA, a significant difference to my actual averages. Will this have a significant effect on my admissions? Or will colleges understand and take into consideration that it was my first semester and that I have improved? I'm worried my chances at colleges like USC and NYU will greatly decrease since my GPA is around their average.</p>

<p>Thanks for your time & input in advance.</p>

2

<p>bump 10 char</p>

3

<p>It will not have a significant affect on your admissions. Most people do not perform well freshman year. Many schools (in the UCalifornia System for example) don’t even consider your freshman year when they recalculate GPA. </p>

<p>Don’t worry about it. If you get rejected anywhere, your freshman year grades will NOT be the reason.</p>

4

<p>A good upward trend is helpful. Something similar happened for me and things still worked out, after I pulled my grades up junior year and got a good SAT score and wrote good essays.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

5

<p>Thanks for the insight!</p>