I got 3bs in my first semester of freshman year in high school. After that, I got all As in the hardest possible courses. I ended with a 3.92 GPA. How badly will I be dragged down by these Bs and how should I explain them on my college application?
You will not be dragged down by those 3 b’s. If you are applying to UC’s, they don’t even count freshman year grades in your GPA.
You should not explain them on your college application. Even if you had a D, don’t explain it on your college application, let your guidance counselor explain (you had an illness, there was a death in the family, etc).
Depending upon which schools you plan to apply, some do not consider Freshman grades in their GPA calculation. Colleges like to see an upward trend which you have shown especially if you increased your HS course rigor.
Do not explain or make excuses unless there was a legitimate reason for 3 B’s which is not bad at all plus let your GC address them.
Unless there is a significant reason - extended illness or family issues - trying to “explain” them would be a negative to an AO.
All data is taken into account for admissions, so unless a school explicitly says it ignores Freshman year grades, they will be considered. But 3 B’s of at least 80+ by the time of application is pretty minor. Look forward.