I just got accepted to a program that helps students like me (low income) get into Ivy League schools, I’m really interested in Princeton, Yale and Cornell. My freshman year I took geography and English pre-ap, I received a 79 my first-semester class in a pre-ap class, managed to bump it up to a B… but I had about 6 B’s total my freshman year. My sophomore year I managed to get history and English pre-ap again… and just got one B in my history class for the first semester, while I got straight A’s my second semester. My first semester of my Junior year I managed to get physics, history, pre-cal, and English pre-ap (all core classes) and I only got one B again for my history class… I’m currently in my second semester of my junior year and so far I have all A’s for my first six weeks. Should I just lose all hope?
I am hoping that the program you are working with is helping you to research lots of colleges. Your junior year grades and test scores will make a big difference in your options. How are you preparing for your standardized testing, and when are you planning on taking those tests?
Does 3 years of English “pre-AP” mean Engl 9, 10,11, all honors? Ask your mentor program where they see your academic strengths. Ask yourself what your real interests are.
The problem is that kids only look at the competition to get an admit and forget how competitive it can be to stay afloat, once there. You want a college where you, as an individual can succeed. Keep an open mind about a variety of colleges.
Sounds like you are doing better than you did. And, not sure why you first say you have straight A’s then say " Should I just lose all hope?" Is that like a “Modest Boast” to solicit complementary posts? I’m not sure what purpose that serves. What are you seeking from the readers on this site? Are you looking for advice about something? If you could articulate your question more clearly I bet you’d get better advice. I doubt you are just seeking people who say “Ahhh don’t give up.”
@siliconvalleymom I’m currently taking an SAT prep class in my high school, and I’ve been on Khan Academy as well, I’m taking my first official SAT on March 2. @lookingforward yes all honors, and I do have Texas A&M and University of Texas on my mind, I want to major in architecture so I’m taking Calculus AB next year, these Ivy League schools are only my out of state options, along with some other schools I’m still searching. (I live in Texas). I’ve been working so hard to have straight A’s I just don’t know if I should sit back and relax, because my B’s might hold me back from actually getting into an Ivy League school… Mainly because my grades are good enough to go to A&M and UT, I don’t want to have bust my tail off in vein, when I could’ve just relaxed.
@lostaccount I’m just wondering If I can still make it to an Ivy League school even if I’ve had B’s, I read this other post about a guy who had Mostly B’s and they commented telling him he probably wouldn’t have a chance. I’ve just been stressed about school lately, I don’t know if I should aim for the Ivies and work really hard towards it, or just stick to the typical schools everyone in my high school ends up going to, they’re not the best for the major I want, but they’re something, while Harvard or Cornell are the best for architecture. I just have been stressing about it too much, like should I keep trying to impress these schools, will I even get noticed? Even if I had B’s before or should I just take a chill pill and go with the typical schools?
there are MANY colleges you can go to for Architecture besides the Ivys, so yes, I’d say take a chill pill, do your best, and expand your college search WAY beyond those 7 colleges.
SEVEN.
Out of HUNDREDS!
so yeah… seriously … chill.
You are driving yourself to distraction with your "Ivy or Bust"obsession.
There are MANY other quality colleges where you can learn to be an architect.
That GPA will make it highly unlikely. But without an sat/act score there isn’t much to talk about yet.
What’s the point of belonging to the program if you aren’t using it to get answers to fundamental questions like this? Programs like this typically have a substantial counseling component. Either you don’t believe them, or they’re not helping you. Either way, I don’t see why you are staying in that program.
Usually, a very high GPA is a necessary but not sufficient criterion for admission to Ivy League colleges and peer schools. However, there are many other excellent colleges besides the 8 Ivies. For architecture, check out UT Austin, Auburn, Syracuse, Virginia Tech, RISD, Pratt, Cal Poly SLO. Some of these may have portfolio requirements for prospective architecture majors.
Is the program Questbridge? Or Posse?
I’d say you have too many Bs for ivies, unless you have some super strong hooks. Just low income won’t cut it.
There are tons of amazing colleges and universities out there that are not Ivy League. All of them can provide an amazing four year experience and take you wherever you want to go in life. Time to expand your horizons to schools that are more of an academic match for your background. If you can take off those Ivy blinders, you will be absolutely amazed at what you find.
Well Architecture is a different beast admissions wise. I am sure there are people with more knowledge than I that can tell you some more specifics but from what I’ve read I would think that if your grades continued up and you have high test scores and then an amazing portfolio then an Ivy is not out of the question but as always still not likely.
Anyway for Architecture I wouldn’t really focus too much on the Ivies and look for programs that fit what you want to do. Some schools have a program with a dual undergrad/Masters degree. Some schools have a 6 year program with significant co-op so that you have enough hours to get your PA license after graduation. As far as selective school with great Architecture - Rice is closer to you in TX and Ivy-worthy.
Have you taken any architecture classes in high school?
I have B’s and I just got a likely letter to Columbia.
A huge advantage for the Ivy schools you are applying to is the possibility of a strong financial aid package. You should go after the best school fit for you for the least amount of money. That being said, if you are serious about being successful at college, you should continue to “bust your tail” no matter where you land with college. You want to be prepared for the rigor. Texas A&M and UTexas are quite difficult, especially in specific majors. Princeton still has grade deflation, despite their claims for it having ended, and Cornell can have rigorous grading practices. All colleges look for an upward trend in high school grades, so don’t focus on your previous grades. College success is highly dependent on self discipline and time management. High school is a great opportunity to master both. Hard work and commitment to a sought after goal is never in vain. If you want to “chill” then you may want to seek another direction.