How big will a C+ look on my transcript for Junior year?

Applying to College
1

Hello,
So this year I took AP chem and Honors French 4. I got 79/ C+ for both classes. Now before this year I had a GPA of 3.96 with ONLY 1 B and 3 B+ on my transcript. ALL A’s. So would assume that junior year, I will ace it. I did not. I worked during 1, 2, 3 quarter to help my family out. My father was sick and couldn’t work and his medical bills were stacking up. I know that I AM NOT going to an ivy or very prestigious college and I understand that. I am taking my SAT and my Subject SAT during August and October. My EC’s are stellar. I am a student representative for the school board which is the highest anyone can go. I have my own club. I am part of 3 clubs that I committed to since 9th grade. I just recently got a scholarship to study in France (ik despite my horrible grades in that class right now). But as I did all this, I was working. I feel shortly into depression and I broke down in front of teachers 4 times. I never got a B- on a quarter grade let alone a C+ for the year. But i just want to know, if I can get the highest possible score I can on the SAT’s do I have ANY chance in Berkeley or Boston U? My last hope is Virginia Tech because UVA will never accept me with these grades. I am angry with myself but I am not going to kill myself over it. I just need to know what I should do to show colleges that I wasn’t sleeping on the couch watching TV which resulted in my drop in grades. What should I do?

Oh, yes I am the first person to go to University in my family.
I did have to teach myself English.
I was separated from my family for 8 years due to my medical problems.

I don’t know if that helps.
I really don’t want pity, I just need an angle to go with. I understand if you think I have no chance. I just need advice from other students.

Thank you!

2

One C+ will not destroy your chances of getting into a good college. I will only comment on UC Berkeley, but even having a stellar grades, test scores, EC’s and essays, will not guarantee you an acceptance. Since it looks like you are out of state for UCB, just be aware that the California UC’s do not offer financial aid to OOS applicants and expect to pay $60K/year to attend. You have overcome some difficult issues so far and it would make a great essay, but highlight what you have learned from the experience. Until you have some solid test scores, no one can tell you how you will fare in the college admissions process.

All you can do is continue to work hard and present the best possible application to a wide variety of schools. Also make sure all the schools on your list are affordable, meaning find out your college budget.

Best of luck.