How will I ever go to college with my grades?

Chance Me / Match Me!
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<p>I go to a really competitive Catholic school where everyone is extremely smart. Even as a sophomore, there is so much pressure to think about college. I know that it is this year and next year that really matter. As it nears the end of first quarter (final semester grades only will go in to our GPAs), I get scared. I want to know what kind of schools I should expect to get in to come the right time, and I want to know how well I will need to do next year to reach my goals.</p>

<p>Last year, my cumulative GPA was 3.7 uw, with a B in biology and Honors Algebra 2 first semester, and a B+ in Hon. algebra 2 again second semester. </p>

<p>For this quarter, I have a 3.57 weighted GPA. (high B+ grades in math and spanish, and a C+ in AP Euro....yeah I know.) My plan is to get it up to a 4.0 weighted by the end of the semester (which would be a 3.8 uw) Hopefully I will be able to get an A in Euro and my other classes by second semester, and if I did, I would have a 4.13 weighted for second semester. I want to take 2 AP classes next year, but my counselors might not let me because of my Euro grade. I feel like I am totally screwed for the rest of my life. I don't know my class rank yet, but I would not be surprised if I am near the bottom based on what I've heard people talking about. </p>

<p>My dad and I have talked about the SATs, and we've decided that my goal score will be at least 2100, and I'm aiming for National Achievement on the PSATs next year (Yes, I'm African American and I'm aiming for Achievement because the qualifying score is lower) </p>

<p>I don't think I will be able to get in to a good school with a 4.06w GPA/ 3.86uw (for my first three years of school) and 2100 SATs, being at (probably) the bottom of my class. Ill be so embarrassed graduating that way! I have a few ECs, including music (voice), musical theatre, speech and debate, and being president of a regional teen organization. I feel like with those kinds of grades, I would barely be able to go to my state school. Would there be any hope for me if after this semester, I got all As? If I did really well on the SAT/ACT, would it make up for my bad grades? I have a lot of dream schools, but I feel like I would never be able to get in to any of them anymore. They include:</p>

<p>Northwestern
Vanderbilt
Carnegie Mellon
Johns Hopkins
University Southern California</p>

<p>But for all of those schools, it seems like average is 3.8+, and closer to 4.0. Any comments/ inspiration/ advice?</p>

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<p>Johns Hopkins is a tough school just telling you.</p>

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<p>If you can get the SAT’s up, some solid community service and extra curriculars, and a few great letters… you should be alright. I think most of those schools are reach, but if you get the rest up, it shouldn’t be totally impossible.</p>

<p>Your GPA isn’t in a good place which just means you have to compensate.</p>

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<p>wait. How does a 3.86 gpa mean youre in the bottom rank? Are you saying that the majority of your schools have a 4.0?? -___-
Unless your school considers a 3.5 as a 2.5 gpa, then I dont see any reason to complain.</p>

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<p>Your grades aren’t bad at all, and 2100 on the SAT is really good (assuming you get that)</p>

<p>you’ll be fine</p>

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<p>Well thanks. I’ll work on getting good SAT scores, I guess. My class has 150 students, and each year there will be about 30 valedictorians and salutatorians (combined). I have heard stories of girls graduating with 3.8w GPA at the bottom third of the class, and that makes me nervous. Most students have well above a 90% average, yes. Sorry, I guess its kind of just in the culture of my school to freak out, but I feel like the dumbest person at school! Thanks again though</p>

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<p>I echo what James1G said: You’ll be fine. Stop stressing</p>

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<p>Just a simple off-topic-ish question: How good is a 3.86 uw GPA in terms of Johns Hopkins? Is it like… bad? 'Cause JHU’s common data set shows that its average freshman high school GPA is 3.7-something. I always thought 2100+ SAT + 3.8 GPA is more than enough academic-wise for JHU and that everything else depends on your ECs and essays.</p>

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<p>30 valedictorians…your not going to JHU. Where I come from valedictorian goes to the student with the best gpa in the class not 30</p>

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<p>Well the 30 Valedictorian/Salutatorian thing is disconcerting to me. I’ve heard of 4 valedictorians at the most, and that was for the best academic class the school had ever seen. </p>

<p>You need to stop being so harsh on yourself though. A African American diversity card along with a 2100 and 3.8 is fantastic to geed into most of those schools. I’m applying to three of those schools, and I think your chances of getting into at least one are above 75%.</p>

<p>Good luck though, and PLEASE don’t be so hard on yourself. Relax, it’s all you can do.</p>

<p>Chance Me: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1023069-whaddya-think-i-chance-back.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1023069-whaddya-think-i-chance-back.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Remember, if your school is rigorous, the adcoms will know how fierce the competition is and rate your gpa accordingly. They know high schools, especially the top ones.<br>
What concerns me is the pressure you are putting yourself under. Will you crash if you don’t get 2100 the first try? Soph year is when you get your act together, start thinking, aiming for your best. Don’t burn out now. When you have your first scores in, * whatever they are, * that’s when you decide whether- and how much- to turn up the dial. One step at a time. k?
Get some help in AP Euro- sometimes, just working with a prep book helps fill in your understanding. Aim for a 4 or 5 on that AP exam. Make sure you start some volunteer work now- serious stuff, so 2 years from now, you have a record.</p>

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<p>Hi! I think you are a very competitive applicant, but the adcoms keep stressing about local context. They will compare you to your peers, which really sucks coming from a school like yours. I also came from a very competitive school with nearly thirty valedictorians as well.
truzzi182 and ivyleague, the fact is, there are high schools where the culture is just SO competitive, that almost EVERYONE takes on extremely rigorous course loads, and many of them do very well, so all thirty deserve the title of valedictorian. If my hs did salutatorians, there would be a lot more of those as well.
Anyways, I wish you luck. And personally, you’ll probably get into USC at the least. Your gpa is in their range, and if you do get a 2100+, you are a good fit stats wise. I got into USC and WashU with a 3.7ish uw gpa and a 2310. goodluck!</p>