How Much Does a Freshman Year in High school Matter?

Applying to College
1

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>In Middle School (Junior High) I did very well. And I mean VERY well. I got straight A's and didn't recieve anything below on 94 on a graded assignment until halfway through 7th grade.</p>

<p>But now that my first year of high school is wrapping up, I'm looking at a 3.3-ish (unweighted) GPA. I'm taking a big hit from English and Math (which is a bit shocking because those were always my best subjects). </p>

<p>My expectation was always that I would at least have the grades for an Ivy or something along those lines, but now I'm not so sure. Have I really dug myself a hole here in my Freshman year? </p>

<p>I'm pretty confident when it comes to school work and I know I can pull something much better in my Sophomore and Junior years, but will I have to go for a perfect 4.0 in the next two years? I go to a pretty good private school where almost nobody gets about 3.8.</p>

<p>That's basically just a long-winded way of asking the question in the title - How much does a Freshman year in high school matter?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Stop by the college counseling office for your HS. They can help you put your grades in context for your school, and share insight into how students from your school have done with applications to highly selective colleges.</p>

3

<p>If there’s any year in high school you can screw up, it’s freshman year. Colleges are forgiving.</p>