Have I destroyed my chances? Hideous freshman year.

<p>Freshman year has been extremely hard for me. I've been dealing with a lot of family issues, money issues and a healthy dose of peers that made my life hell and it's taken it's toll. To the point where I've been diagnosed with depression. Anyway, I think I'm going to pay for it with my future :(</p>

<p>This year I've gotten all B's. I just haven't been that dedicated with my school work. I could've done better. I SHOULD'VE done better.</p>

<p>Gender: F
Race: Black
State: Louisiana</p>

<p>Classes:
Physical Education
Home ec
Gifted English
Honors Physical Science
Honors World Geography
Algebra 1 part 1 ( no honors)
IBCA ( basically typing. Pointless class but needed to graduate).</p>

<p>I'm not sure if this helps/hurts or doesn't matter at all but I go to a public school. Bad dropout rate and horrible overall. State is considering taking the school over.</p>

<p>My question is if I made a remarkable improvement and started getting 4.0s, a good SAT & ACT, tons of EC's and a good essay could I still have a chance at say... Stanford or Duke? Or have I screwed that up completely and should start looking at state colleges?</p>

<p>Next year my classes are
Algebra 1 part 2
Honors Civics
Gifted English
Honors Biology
Speech for my elective
still haven't decided on other elective.</p>

<p>EC's will be
Tennis
SADD
Key Club
SGO
African American Heritage club
(I'm not sure if other schools have this but it's basically a group of kids that helps with school activities)</p>

<p>What if I made it into Spellman or Howard and did extremely well. Would ivy league grad school be a possibility?</p>

<p>Ugh I've ruined my life!!!</p>

<p>Oh and thanks to everyone in advance for dealing with my teenage woes.</p>

<p>Just keep trying. Colleges are pretty forgiving if they see an “upward trend” in grades. Especially if one comes from a school with a dropout rate as high as yours apparently is.</p>

<p>High school is hard, but it will get better! I was in your position 2 years ago, thinking I couldn’t possibly keep up with everything, but as time went on, I learned new techniques and methods to manage my time and productivity, and you will too! Good luck! :D</p>

<p>Well, Stanford doesn’t include freshman year for admission, so if you continue to get 4.0 for the rest of the semester you should be set!</p>

<p>No you’ve not destroyed your chances, you definitely still have a chance as long as you show and maintain a general upward trend. I too was once in your position with the issues and whatnot and trust me, while they may seem bad atm, there is always a little light at the end of the tunnel. Just never give up.</p>

<p>I don’t believe grad school even cares about high school. So if you go to any half decent college and do well there you will be fine for ivy league/etc grad school. And no, all B’s is not destroying your chances, although Stanford seems far out of reach unless you’re a recruited athlete or have truly amazing EC’s. Duke is still open though</p>

<p>I don’t think you’ve destroyed your chances by any means! And hey, if you manage to really pull up your grades you’re going to have a great topic for your essay! Colleges love to see a student struggle and come out on top. Best of luck to you!</p>

<p>there are some excellent schools that dont look at 9th grade grades. Stanford, Princeton, UC;Berkely, UMich and other prestigious schools. If you can get a 3.8+,2200+ sat and some good EC’s you could be at one of the IVY’s. 10-12th grades are the meat of your app. Good luck</p>