I got a B+ and an A- in my freshmen year(a class unrelated to my major), is it going to ruin my Ivy applications? The B+ prohibited me from taking another AP class(I took another easier AP class instead), is it going to make my course load seems to be less challenging? Although my freshmen grade is not counted towards the cumulative GPA, I am still worried about it and couldn’t fall asleep. I really need some advice. Thanks in advance.
It is good to take school seriously and know that college will be on your horizon, but it is too early to start planning for specific colleges or groups of colleges. FWIW Ivy League and equivalent colleges have acceptance rates often in the low single digits so any non-hooked applicant must consider these schools to be a reach.
For now you should focus on:
–Working hard, learning, and doing as well as you can in the most challenging curriculum you can manage.
–When the time comes study for standardized tests.
–Getting involved (or continuing your involvement) in activities you care about and working towards making meaningful contributions to those activities.
–Enjoying spending time with your family and friends.
When the time comes, asses your academic stats (including GPA, standardized tests, course rigor) as well as your financial needs and apply to a wide range of reach, match, and safety schools that appear affordable (you will have to run a net price calculator for each school you consider) and that you would be happy to attend. If you are a candidate for top colleges then definitely apply to some and give those applications your all. But you will need to expand your horizons and recognize that there are many wonderful schools out there where you can have a great 4 year experience and get where you want to go in life.
What year are you ?
What @happy1 said.
Kids get into all schools without straight As. Yet many straight A get rejected at top schools.
Put your best self forward and when college time comes, you’ll find a fine college, Ivy or otherwise.
Ps - why doesn’t your freshman grades count ? Schools that count 9th grade will include them in their calc of your GPA.
Not to scare you but assuming you are a 10th grader, you’re not living in reality.
Study hard, get involved and the rest will figure itself out.
No need for over the top pressure on a decision that is not made by you. All you can control is you - and a panicked you won’t be of help.
All the advice provided here is really awesome! Is the B+ you got in a class relevant to your major? If it is not, then I wouldn’t stress at all. Even if it is, it truly doesn’t matter in the overall picture. The Ivy Leagues will look at your application holistically, so there are plenty of factors that can balance it out. In addition, college looks for growth more than performance! If you take another class related to the class you did poorly in and receive a higher grade then you can really show that you are passionate and hardworking!
Beyond this, I wouldn’t stress at all- you are in 10th grade- enjoy your education and try not to fixate on the future 