<p>So, freshman year...I WAS STUPID. It's junior year of high school for me now, and I seriously regret not taking things seriously in 9th grade. Although I've consistently taken the most challenging courseload possible, I got two C+s and a few Bs freshman year. How much weight do colleges place on these grades? My unweighted GPA was probably a 3.5, with a 3.8 weighted. By sophomore year, I got all As/A-s with one B and one B+. I got like a 4.4 weighted and a 3.8 unweighted. My high school is relatively competitive/challenging (public school). It doesn't rank. I hope to improve as much as I can during this year. I REALLY want to go to Northwestern, but my cumulative GPA (without junior year) is a 3.6 unweighted, 4.1 weighted. Is this way too low? I have strong ECs/volunteering/work experience/leadership/test scores, but am I already basically disqualified? I would apply Early Decision, so first trimester senior year grades won't be factored in. What should I do about this GPA? I mean, it's an upward trend, but it's still not stellar. Is there any way I can explain this without sounding dumb? Family stress/my parents being on the brink of divorce might have been to blame as well. And just the fact that I didn't know how serious grades really were. I got all As in middle school....sigh.</p>
<p>my god no! you are not disqualified. same thing happened with me, i didn’t take freshman year seriously and i had around an 86.6 gpa. i had no ECs or anything and I’m a junior now trying to pick up the slack. don’t worry, you’re fine, just breathe and keep up your grades this year</p>
<p>Freshman year weighs very little, have no fear. I know somebody who did poorly freshman and sophomore year, but was a hard worker junior and senior year and now attends Duke. You’ll be fine.</p>