Alright so this has been bothering me so much lately that I decided that I would go to this website. Im new, so bear with me if I do something wrong/post in wrong section etc etc. Ill try and keep it short, so this is my story. I am a freshmen at a well known and prestigious high school in Chicago. I recently finished the first semester with a 3.1. I know that this is horrible, don’t think that I think this is good. Anyway, I pretty much had a mental breakdown over Christmas break (when I got my grades) and realized that I have ruined a good portion of my life. I sat in bed for 3 hours and just cried. I messed up so, so badly. So, this second semester I completely changed. I spend all of my free periods in the library studying. I study when I wake up on saturday. I am a serious student now. I got a progress report and my GPA is now a 4.1. I need to get a 4.2 or above to have a good cumulative GPA, at least thats what ive been told. I am wondering if there is any chance I can get into any Ivies, and if so what do i need to do. This is some background info that you may use to help determine this:
I play baseball, and im really good at it. All of my coaches think I have the potential to play college baseball. No joke.
I just started track and I run for varsity. My coach told me that with my times I could get a college scholarship if i keep it up.
I will do anything to get into an ivy league school
Im a caddy
I do volunteer work
Please, be honest with me. I want a straight answer. I feel like my life is over.
If Ivy League is the goal of your life, you seriously need to reevaluate the priorities of your life. You will soon come to know that while Ivy League admission is indeed noteworthy, life exists beyond the 4 years of school.
Having said that, no you did not ruin your chances if you continue to show an upward trend.
I don’t know if all schools are like this, but our high school posts an overall GPA and a 10-12 GPA. I am assuming they do that because colleges don’t always want the freshman year grades figured in? If that’s the case, and if your school does the same, then colleges may be sent the GPA that doesn’t even include the lower grades!
Also, I think it should be said that most people, even with perfect grades, do not get into Ivy League schools! They are very small schools, so even “perfect” candidates don’t have much of a chance of getting in! So it seems overly dramatic–and not at all pragmatic–to think your life is ruined just because you might not get into one. Even if you got straight A’s, you still probably won’t get into one, and that’s not a commentary on you, it’s just the numbers game! So stop dwelling on it, get out there and live your life, and be open to some of the other wonderful schools out there!
There is a very strong possibility that your future will be every bit as bright if you matriculate at UIUC as at Cornell. For a FEW individuals, that will not be true, but for MOST it certainly will be. I don’t state this to alter your goals or your dreams – not at all – but you truly need to put the (stressful) college selection/application/admission decisions and processes in a reasonable and a helpful context. Work diligently, however understand that life is a L-O-N-G marathon; currently, you’re at the 2 or 3 mile point, with 22+ miles ahead.
Wow, honestly calm down. First of all, as I’m sure people have said before, many colleges don’t force an extreme amount of focus on freshman grades. I wouldn’t freak out but just focus on doing better in the future. Also, let’s talk about the fact that you’re a freshman. The only thing you should worry about is what is in the immediate future, NOT college. If you spend all your time placing a great emphasis on college, which is LONG away from you, then that’ll ultimately provide a great amount of stress and possibly a drop in grades. Finally, you need to realize that Ivy League schools aren’t everything. As you enter the college process junior year, I’m willing to bet that you’re going to find an amazing school that’s perfect for you that isn’t a Harvard or Princeton. You will get into an amazing college, even if it’s not one of the 8 colleges out of 3,000 available nationally. Calm down, be diligent, and focus on your high school education.
Don’t worry. The most important thing about grades is that when you graduate, you are in the top 5% of your class, and that you have consistently shown an upward trend in grades. It’s actually good that you are thinking about this now, though, as most students tend to wait until its too late. You should start pursuing extracurriculars ASAP, because that will definitely help your application.
Why is it so important that you attend an Ivy League school?? I think you should really give this much reflection. You seem to be beating yourself up over Bs and feel that you have ruined your life…Where does such pressure come from? Please, discuss this with a trusted adult. High school is a big transitional period in any student’s life and you have done very well. I know this may be hard to understand, but my advice is to work towards health and happiness, not towards an ivy league acceptance (which is a long shot for any student). I’m sure you will do very well no matter where you go, but you still have more than 3 years of high school left. Try to enjoy some of it. Perhaps less time on CC might be helpful as well.
I know exactly how you feel; I completely bombed my freshman year, too. BUT, because your grades have rocketed so far in such a short amount of time, you’re DEFINITELY still in the running. As long as you keep up that stellar GPA and do some more EC’s, you’ll have a good shot at an Ivy.