Hey there. I am new and can use some opinions/advice

Applying to College
1

<p>Hey everyone,</p>

<p>I am new here and had a few questions for some people. I am going to be a sophomore in high school and look forward to this year and then my road to college. In middle school, I was at a relatively "easy" school and got a 4.0 all across the board. In my freshman year, I applied, and got accepted, to a very good high school in Florida. I had no honors or AP classes to begin the year, and as my final grades, I got:
English 9: B+
World History I: B+
Bible: A-
Algebra 1 (I took Geometry in the summer and got an A): A-
Physics: B
Spanish II: A-
Computer Applications: A</p>

<p>Not bad, but I know I can do A LOT better. I had a difficult time adjusting, as it was a new environment (as it was for many). I did get a D on a final exam (Physics), which lowered it down. My first question, do colleges look at Freshman "final" grades only, or S1, S2, Q1, Q2, Midterm, Final, etc? I would think just the final overall grade. The final GPA (I think you only count History, English, Math, Science) would be a 3.32. Again, eh, but I had a rough time adjusting. If I do pull this up and get a 4.0 next year (still no honors or AP), follow that tremendous year and take a few honors and AP classes to get around a 4.3ish, do I still have a chance at getting into a good college? In terms of EC activities, I was on Varsity Baseball and Varsity Tennis, and next year I have founded a Homeless Coalition club, in which I plan to gather some people (we have a ton of clubs), and with the help of a friend of mine who is on the Homeless Coalition Board for the county, introduce ourselves to the other side of the fence and have projects, service, etc. I love working with the homeless, but am also wondering if a college will care that I founded such a club on my own at the beginning of Sophomore year. I have already done over the required service time, and plan on achieving a lot of time (300+) by Senior year. Am I on a good track towards a good college? I will work my arse off, trust me. Thanks in advance!</p>

2

<p>Work Hard and get a high GPA. Start doing light practice for SAT I/ACT if you want, but above all enjoy your high school experience.</p>

3

<p>i think you should
try not to get a B in English again</p>

<p>the "adjusting etc" can be a lame excuse since there are quite a few international students nowadays who move to america, adjust, and get A's at the same time..</p>

4

<p>Well, some of it depends on what you consider a "good college". But, despite the way people might talk here, a couple B's isn't going to kill you. Maybe at HYPSM, maybe, but there are lots of good schools.</p>

<p>(By the way, I believe foreign languages are factored into a core academic class)</p>

5

<p>Thanks for the help so far, guys!</p>