<p>I've wanted to go here forever. White Male, NJ. Unfortunately I started my high school career off slowly. I had a 2.8 GPA last year (freshman). This year I stayed hit bottom with an F in a class 1st marking period. This dropped my GPA for soph year to a 2.56. However, since then i Have gotten a 3.56 second marking period, and now a 3.4 third marking period, I am on the upturn. I am looking to finish this year with or about with a 3.0 GPA. I am taking honors english this year and doing very well in it. I have good extra curriculars (camp counselor for 4 years, Job at bagel shop, rec basketball 4 years, etc.) Next year, my junior year, I'm taking 2 honors courses and clearly I'm on the upward trend. i took the SATs in seventh grade and with absolutely zero prep I got 1550/2400. Since then i have learned a lot of the material I didnt know and I am a great standardized test taker, and My parents are going to make me take prep courses. If I can get my grade up to about a 3.3 or 3.4 by the end of my junior year, and have the clear uptrend in my grades, with good SATs, and solid ECs, do you think I could get into my dream school of pitt?</p>
<p>Yes, I think you could. I think colleges really like to see the upturn and so see that kids learned from their early mistakes and changed their path. That shows maturity and growth. It could be a topic in your essay or, if necessary, you can include an explanation with your application packet. I would just apply early in the season (in Sept. or Oct) to show how interested you are, and if you can, go to the Pitt summer program for interested students.</p>
<p>Congratulations for the better grades and good luck!</p>