I am going into sophomore year, ending last year with a 3.74 UW. I had just moved to a new district and was taking accelerated courses (and got some pretty bad teachers). I’m confident that I can go straight As for the rest of high school, now that I have a better feel of the school. My question is, are Ivy’s a reach? With strong ECs and a good application, will a potential 3.92 or 3.91 destroy my chances at the end of junior year? Or will an upswing help?
Good grades are a combination of hard work and studying smart. Don’t assume that you are going to walk into a classroom and receive straight As. If you do get an occasional B, don’t beat yourself up about it. I know many people at Harvard who have received a couple of Bs in high school.
That said, having an upward trend in grades looks fantastic for colleges. Getting into an Ivy League school requires many excellent factors, and a 3.9UW GPA will serve you well during the admissions process. You are only a sophomore, so you have plenty of time to delve into your passions and engage in ECs. I would encourage you to also begin taking PSAT tests or practice tests on Khan Academy so that your test score can match your excellent grades. Good luck!
It’s too early to tell. Keep your grades up and try to ace those standardized tests and of course you will have a chance. Just beware that even deserving students don’t get into Ivys because they are so selective.