I want to get into a really good college but my grades weren't very good freshman year

I am very focused on college right now. I’m a sophomore in highschool and am starting now to do very good in school to get into a great college. I have watched videos on how to get into Harvard to give me a extra step up. I think it would be amazing to get into a school like that but of course my grades were bad last year. Last year when I was a freshman and I failed English for the second semester and math (including fundamentals) for both years. I’m now doing okay in school, a couple a’s and c’s, but that doesn’t change the fact of how bad I did last year, by the way i have an F in math right now and I need to bring it up. I also already took the PSAT and I am certain I did terrible. I want to get into a very good college, and I feel incredibly guilty when I say I want to go to Harvard. I also want to know my gpa with freshman year and sophomore 1st quarter combined but i cant find out how. All i’m asking for is someone to guide me and help me through this so I can get this straight, even if it might be a miracle, who ever does thank you so much.

So the bad news is you probably won’t get into Harvard. But then again, hundreds of people with straight As don’t either. There are hundreds of great schools you can get into, however. BUT. You have to get your grades up. Failing any class is going to make it very hard to get into a good school. People that go to competitive schools generally have GPAs of 3.5 and better.

Here’s how you figure out your GPA. First, convert all your letter grades to numbers and then add them together.

GPA Letter Grade
4.00 A
3.67 A-

3.33 B+

3.00 B
2.67 B-
2.33 C+
2.00 C
1.67 C-
1.33 D+
1.00 D

0.67 D-

0 F

Then divide the number you have by the number of classes with grades you just added together. That’s your unweighted GPA.

I’m sorry but Harvard is a slim to zero chance of getting in. On the bright side there are dozens of reputable colleges you can have a decent shot at if you turn your career around. 1) Avoid failing a class. 2) Try and take some, keyword some, AP or honors classes that you know you can handle. This should help bump up your weighted GPA and show colleges you are willing to take rigorous courses. Best of luck and remember, even if you don’t get into your dream college it isn’t the end of the world. Once you graduate college it won’t really matter as long as you get a decent degree and hold a high GPA.

Best Wishes!

oh thanks, I didnt know that’s how you find your gpa

could I get into Harvard Medical school if I do really good in college?

There are so many great colleges out there! Just because it isn’t an ivy or “elite” and well known doesn’t mean that you won’t get a fantastic education (and transferring is always an option, though ivies accept very few transfers). Going to an elite school doesn’t mean that you’ll be any more successful later on. Also, there is no set “how to get into Harvard” formula. So many overqualified people end up getting rejected.