<p>I'm making this thread just for some reassurance and motivation because I'm a bit worried.
I have strong goals for myself and I want to make sure nothing is ruined because of my tragic grades starting high school. My goals include going to a Top 20 school, and of course the infamous Ivy League. Btw, I'm an incoming Sophomore; this was my first year in HS.
My grades this year:
Math - B/C ;(
Science - B/A
History - A/A
Spanish - A/A
English - B/B</p>
<p>These grades are terrible in my mind, especially for my potential. I came into high school not caring much and thinking that freshman year is no biggy and most, if not all, colleges don't look at freshman grades. But I have a feeling this train of thought will bite me in the ass one day.</p>
<p>Let's say from this day forward, with taking ALL Honors/Ap's, I achieve straight A's throughout my next 3 years in HS. Please tell me I'm fine and I'm just overreacting for no reason?</p>
<p>Here's my story too:
I go to a well known public school in the South Bay. Every year we send many kids to the Ivies and Top Tier schools.
We have 18 or 19 kids going to UCLA, 20+ at USC, 10-+ at UCSB, couple to MIT, etc. Many kids from this school place very well.
Now, I'm transferring schools. I'm moving to Dallas and this school is ranked 33 in the country, while my old school is ranked 93.
Since I'm transferring schools and all, how would this effect me? Could it potentially help me?
And remember, think of me getting straight A's the next 3 years. Think from this perspective. Also, not to be cocky, but I'll most likely be one of the best soccer players in this new school in Dallas. I've already spoken to some that live in the area and they've told me that soccer isn't a big thing down there and with my abilities, it will look good for me. How will this help me for admissions? These are big IFs here. I'm not trying to act like some cocky kid. Also, how would athletics even help the admissions process if I'm not recruited, because honestly, I don't want to play in college due to the overwhelming amount of work, especially in Top Tier colleges.</p>
<p>Thanks for ANY help you can give me. This is a big change for me moving to Texas and I would love some motivation to help me start in a good place. I really hope my chances aren't limited anymore due to this academic failure, in my terms.</p>
<p>The fact that you have such a strong, mature resolve this early in your high school career, all the while moving to a new state half-way across the US, and attending a higher ranked school should be noted. Most likely at your new school, they would provide more opportunities to take harder classes, a chance to mix with more intensely motivated peers and teachers that can give you unforeseen opportunities in practically anything that you are interested in, etc. Just stay social and open.</p>
<p>If you really do have the motivation to hit the mark on your GPA while making sure to keep a balance between your soccer, SATs, and just being true to yourself and your needs emotionally and physically, then I see no reason for a top college rejecting you. Your freshman grades were all non-AP classes, right? So they shouldn’t really affect that much in consideration of your weighted GPA, when you start taking APs. </p>
<p>If you are going to pursue soccer as a potential star, then try to reach out in your interests more - being captain of your soccer team, teaching soccer to younger kids at youth centers, attending camps, etc. There are really unlimited opportunities, and your newly expanded mind can certainly deliver on whatever you can think of.</p>
<p>Also, your entire situation can be wisely used to write an impactful essay for applications, and the cause and effect can all be written wonderfully. Colleges know that things happen to people, so if you reshape your life (which will be difficult) I see a pretty happy and positive future ahead of you Hope this helps.</p>
<p>Thanks for the wonderful reply.
I’m a very social person, and I have a habit to party tooooo much..which is a little reason why I didn’t do too hot.</p>
<p>Btw, the only Honors class I had was History. </p>
<p>Yeah..I was also thinking about how I could write a pretty nice essay from this experience =]
Thanks for the tips!</p>
<p>It’s no problem, I enjoy giving replies like this I do have a question for you though - do you think that falling barely below the average admittance GPA for colleges matters for admission for top UCs, since you used to reside in CA? This is one of the nuttiest questions that has ever entered my head, yet for some reason I need answers for it…</p>
<p>By the way, this is coming from experience with another friend of mine - make sure that you check the local colleges and organizations there too, and see if there are any classes you are interested in taking outside of your new school. Right now I’m taking programming at my local community college, since my school doesn’t offer it. Also, make sure to complete pre-reqs for certain classes - my friend had to spend her summer taking a government course since our school didn’t offer it til senior year.</p>
<p>And dude, being social is better than the other way around. Parties are great in moderation, however :D</p>
Hm, I’m not sure if I understand your question really - sorry. Could it clear it up a bit more, I’m thinking of different variations of what this question is asking.
Alright will do.
And of course being social is good =]</p>
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<p>Def. I can’t even believe that I got a C…the first C of my life. I had an 84-85 with a couple weeks of school left, and somehow it went downhill.
But, thanks, it will be A’s only from now on.</p>
<p>If you want reassurance that 9th grade doesn’t matter that much, call,say, Rice U. in Houston and quiz the admissions people there. No doubt they will tell you they ‘look’ at the 9th grade grades, but want to see ‘an uphill trend’ in your grades in 10th and 11th grades. Those 2 years, 10th and 11th, are what really matter. Be sure you take ‘the most rigorous courses offered’ at your school, that seems to be EXTREMELY important to most colleges these days. And of course do well in them. :)</p>
<p>That you are transferring to a new high school means nothing to colleges–lots of people move around, it is harder on you though. And that the new high school is more rigorous–that will help your chances for admission to a good college.</p>
<p>Dont count on straight A’s throughout high school…you will just let yourself down. Top 20 is not everything, you will learn that as you progress in high school. There are many schools where students are very successful after college that aren’t in the top 20 (Northeastern and Penn State come to mind). Schools like Northeastern give you valuable real world experience with their co-op programs; something the US News rankings will never give you. </p>
<p>I really dont want to see you get disappointed when you dont achieve straight A’s (not saying you cannot do it) because it definately gets harder by 11th grade. </p>
<p>Your on the right track. I know its hard, but at least try to broaden your scope and look past the top 20, because if you are so set on going to them and you dont make the straight A’s necessary, you will feel hopeless. Add some 50-100 colleges into the mix, and get excited about those too.</p>
<p>High School rankings don’t mean too much. Newsweek for example bases them on # of APs taken, etc. You may find your new high school has different weighting, different curves, more/less grade inflation/deflation so it would be hard to predict future grades. Difficulty and performance in math classes may vary widely. For example, a great student in Algebra I may be overhelmed by the homework in Algebra II or find a great interest in Geometry, etc. ECs may take away from your class time as well. Just try and do your best. Some colleges are not even in the rankings. And any college ranked in the top 100 will probably provide you are great education. Who knows what you’ll be able to afford and what aid you’ll be offered then? Rankings and financial situations and your objectives can change in the meantime anyway. So don’t worry so much.</p>
<p>It is great to have lofty goals. In your case, to attend a Top 20 university, is not a lofty goal!</p>
<p>The purpose of education is to explore and learn. To enjoy learning. To becoma a life-long learner. If you are successful in that, you will normally achieve top grades. If you achieve top grades in the absence of true exploration, you will eventually burn out.</p>
<p>Be careful exactly which goals you set.</p>
<p>I did not enter high school with a goal of attending Stanford. I was just an average kid. I found courses in my high school that I enjoyed. I pursued ECs that were interesting to me. And it all worked out that I was admitted.</p>
<p>I did not enter the work force with a goal of going to MBA school. I pursued things of interest to me, and because they were of interest, I applied myself and did well. And I attend the UCLA MBA program.</p>
<p>I did not re-enter the work force with the goal of making lots of money. I pursued things of interest to me, and because they were of interest, I applied myself and did well. And I have been paid well.</p>
<p>Be careful to understand the root of things when you create your goals.</p>
Hope this helps.</p>