(IBDP) Importance of Freshman/Sophomore Grades?

Applying to College
1

I am currently attending an international student at an IB school.
The freshman/sophomore curriculum is a pre-IB one, (I am a sophomore at the moment) and unfortunately my grades haven’t been so great.

In freshman year my GPA for each semester was around 6.1 and 6.2 (out of the IB 1-7 scale).
This semester I am predicting around a 6.4.
Come junior year I will be doing the full IB diploma.

I know that selective universities like to see consistent top marks (ideally straight 7s maybe). How much would my freshman/sophomore grades realistically harm my chances? Say, if I get my act together and land somewhere close to a 7.0 in the second semester of sophomore year and keep up a good GPA in the IB Diploma for an upward trend. In the IB, I am planning on taking the full diploma, so 3 HLs and 3 SLs.

Here’s the deal- my dream schools include Cornell and UPenn.
Am I anywhere close to being on the right track, or should I be more realistic and aim lower?

2

First, the general consensus it is best not to have a “dream” school - especially if your “dream” school is hyper-selective, as your’s are. Best to create a list of safeties, matches and reaches. Your two schools would both be reaches for most people. Of course, you need SAT/ACT scores in order to really figure that out.

Second, all HS grades matter, but it is great if you can show an upward trend. Remember, your senior year grades will (for the most part) come out too late for admissions purposes.

Are you doing MYP? Or some other curriculum?

Will your school let you do 4 HLs? That is one way to show extra rigour in your IBDP.

3

My daughter has all 6 and 7s in an IB diploma program. She did MYP and is now a Senior. Her weighted GPA With IB is a 4.71 on her transcripts.