<p>Hi all, I am currently about to enter my junior year in high school at one of the top private schools in my state. In ninth grade I had an overall 3.8 gpa, and in sophomore year i finished with a 3.4. THIS is where it gets complicated: I spent my whole first semester (6 months) as an exchange student living with an impoverished family in Central America, which, according to my school, looks VERY good on a college application. I wanted to verify the truth behind this assumption, and so I need your help. I'm recognized for my Spanish abilities, my history skills, and my skills as a writer in both the English and History departments at my school. Next year I'll be taking AP U.S. History, Spanish 6, American Literature, Trigonometry, and Biology. In addition, I have a job working at the Zoo in my city, I volunteer for the International Organization (helping immigrants), and I play Soccer and Tennis. I play on the school Chess team as well, but I don't really consider that a major part of my life. Of course, i haven't taken the ACT or SAT, so I don't expect an extremely thorough, accurate response. I'm aiming for UC Berkeley, Georgetown, and Notre Dame (among others). I hope to go somewhere with politics, so I'd really like to get some opinions. Thanks!</p>
<p>Hmm…I would certainly assume that your experience as an exchange student in Central America would look excellent on your college application. Did this affect your sophomore GPA at all? If so, it could account for your drop in GPA. Also, make sure your GPA for you junior year is abour 3.8-4.0 to bring it up from the 3.6 you currently have. Lastly, obtain some leadership positions in something like your student government and make sure your SAT scores are at least 2100+. Good Luck!</p>
<p>No, amazingly the grade situation while I was abroad made it so that my grades at school in Central America were taken in to account in the U.S., and since I did particularly well at a school that spoke only Spanish, I received strait A’s first semester.</p>
<p>Well, I find it interesting that you were able to do so well in a spanish-speaking school! Like I said, you have a bit of work to do, but the schools should be within reach if you accomplish what I mentioned above.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot! I hope, if you haven’t already achieved it, that you get in to Cornell!</p>