I'm panicking. Please help! I'm extremely stressed.

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hi everyone, I’m currently a male junior in high school.
I won’t tell you which particular high school, but it’s ranked between 20-30 in the U.S…
I’m part of the honors students club, and most of my friends have had 4.0 GPA (straight As) since freshman. With APs, they’ve gone up to 4+.
Classes are extremely hard, and I’m challenged by them constantly, although I do pull a high B.
However, what’s a high B the equivalent of: a 3.

In freshman 1st semester, I got a 3.3.
In freshman 2nd semester, I got a 3.3.
In sophomore 1st semester, I got (3 88% borderline Bs) a 3.3.
In sophomore 2nd semester, I got (finally) a 3.5.
It has just been junior 1st semester, I got a 3.3 UNWEIGHTED, and a 4 WEIGHTED. (Stupid AP Computer Science got a C)
Weighted, I have a 3.48.
Unweighted, I have a 3.34.

CC, I’m panicking my a$$ off. I’m Asian, which makes everything harder for me (due to common stigmas etc.) and I got a 1470 on the SAT (test scores 7/8, 7/8, 7/8) after taking it my 2nd time.
Got a 32 on ACT first try, 12 on writing. (Messed up on science section, got a 24, trying to improve on that).

While I am working hard for a 33-34+ on my ACT, I’m EXTREMELY stressed about my GPA. I have never been the average student who absorbs information immediately and scores perfects on everything. I wish colleges would know how HARD classes at my school is, and how MUCH I have been challenging myself over these years. While my smart friends breeze through these hard courses, I struggle and try to break through that high borderline B.

Even if I got As on every single subject this junior year, my GPA will only be a 3.65. Weighted.

I need help. There is no hope for my GPA. I want to know if colleges can see how hard I’ve worked and improved over the years. Do they see some graph of my GPA? I wish I could go back in time and study harder using methods I learned now, but it’s too late. The damage is done and my GPA is screwed.

My E.C.s are typical Asian stuff. Piano. Volunteering. Trying to learn programming. I do not stand out very much.
Please help me and explain what you believe should be done.

2

Colleges will know the strength of your high school through the school profile and overall reputation. Coming from a rigorous high school can give you a boost. For instance a 3.5 gpa from your school would be considered ‘better’ than a 3.5 at a mediocre school. That being said, you will also be compared to students from your own high school, so if there are a lot of 4.0’s , they will know that despite the rigor of the high school, high gpa’s are possible.
Based on your current gpa and test scores so far, a lot of good and selective colleges are in your reach. If you are aiming for the Ivies those will definitely be very reachy.

3

You are fine, you will get into a great college. Of course make sure you have a balanced list of safeties, matches and reaches and you know in advance, how much your parents are willing to pay.

4

No worries. You’re going to be fine. There are many schools out there that are perfect just for you.

5

If you’re taking honors they should be weighted differently if you’re getting B’s. If you don’t mind not getting in Ivies then you’re fine. Ivies have more prestige but there are schools just as good as them out there that don’t classify only on Test Scores.

6

Admissions officers will know that your school is more difficult than others and will consider that accordingly in the admissions process, so there’s that. However, you need to step back and reevaluate here I think. This school that you are attending is extremely difficult, right? Well, the top colleges like the Ivies that you are trying to get into are going to possibly be harder than your current high school. It will be an even more difficult than what you are experiencing now. You may only get a 3.0 GPA at these difficult universities and be even more discouraged than you are now. Studies show that it is better for a student to attend a university where they can be successful than one where they will struggle as they are more likely to finish college and view their experience as positive. That being said, if you are still set on getting into the top of the top universities, I would recommend working toward your maximum possible GPA if at all possible and retaking the SAT to make you a bit more competitive. Also, find something at your school or in your community that you are passionate about to help you stand out more in the E.C. column. It’s less about what you do or how prestigious your ECs are, but more about how passionate you are about them and how much time you dedicate to them. Good luck!

7

No one actually dies from their gpa. I’m sure you’ll be fine. Admissions people will know how hard you work through your essays, letters of rec, and the school profile.

8

I guess it depends on your expectations. If you are set on a top 20-30 school, then you need to adjust. If not, you will land in a very good place.

9

Um, most students do not “absorb information immediately and score perfect on everything”. A high B average will get you into a lot of great schools. Do your best in your classes to finish strong your junior year and retake your ACT or try SAT since higher scores will give you more options.

10

Pick a school that fits you. Don’t go for the Asian thing that only the top 10 means future success in life, in fact, it doesn’t. I know people graduated from state schools and moved onto great grad schools (top 10 type) to do high-end research. I know people got into the Ivies and struggled to keep up, hate the environment, got depressed and came out unhappy at the end. Do something you enjoy. Volunteer in something that adds meaning to you. One of my Asian friends’ kid went to soup kitchens for holidays as service… collecting coins as a hobby… he didn’t know a thing about playing the violin, piano, or coding… and got into these top 10 schools. You need to focus on things that matter to you, not your parents or peers. When you can write the essays to demonstrate your passion vs the stuff every Asian kid can fill in, you then will have an edge. Other than that, stay healthy, stay positive, and maybe sometimes dreams don’t come by in a straight line. A detour or two could well add more meaning to the definition of success.

11

If you tell us the Troyes of schools you are thinking about, that would help.

12

Can you give us a little info (so we can encourage you in a good direction?) What schools are you wanting/thinking of applying to? Is high prestige important to you, and are your parents pressuring you for a top-20 school? Do you know more-or-less what you would like to study in college? What state are you in (don’t say if you’re not comfortable) or what region of the country would you like to go to school in. Do you think you would like a large University or a smaller college?

You are still a fine student. While your GPA and test scores aren’t quite Ivy-level, they are definitely above-average, especially if you are in an honors program in a competitive school. It’s hard to be objective on CC (with so many people posting about tippy top schools) But remember that even if you had that 4.0+ GPA and 1500+ SATs you would likely not get into an Ivy because so many apply. A lot of top students CHOOSE to go to their state public universities or upper-middle/mid-ranked LACs for various reasons (financial, personal, “vibe” of the school) so no one need know what your reason are for going to a particular school. There are many excellent schools that will want you, that you can feel proud and excited to be a part of.

13

It’s simple. Aim for schools with a 3.3 UW range. I had an Asian friend with a 26 ACT and a 3.5 GPA who only applied to top 20 schools and was rejected everywhere, even to his “safties” NYU and BU. He now goes to community college. Don’t stress out- BUT DO BE reasonable when you apply to colleges.

14

Deep breath, keep doing the best you can. There’s a place for you.

15

UPDATE:
For everybody’s information: No, I am not aiming for the Ivies. I am aiming for UCs and polytechnic/technology institutes (like Rennesauler, Georgia, SLO, Pomona, UIUC).

I attend high school in Southern California. I am not sure what I am doing yet, but in the STEM (science, tech, engineering, math) direction. Worst-case scenario (since I do not excel at anything) is a business major.

I would prefer a smaller college, but a larger college is just fine.

16

I think you are extremely hardworking… and you can always talk about that in your essays. I think you CAN get in. You challenge yourself so much and I see potential in you (even though idk you) I understand exactly what you’re going through. I take super competitive classes and my gpa isn’t that great neither is my rank and people who take easier classes have better GPA’s and it’s not fair. You will go to a good college. When you get your LoR’s, your teachers will prolly write how hardworking you are and you can explain to them that you tried and they should write that. Also, you can write like that in your essay! Tell them what’s up, keep trying and working hard. Hard work totally pays off and you will get into the college that is best for you and still has a good name. Keep doing what you can do :slight_smile:

Chance me back please!

17

@m4mfan , I’ve been busy this weekend and haven’t been on CC. I’m going to advise you to look on the thread "Parents of the HS class of 2017- 3.0-3.4 GPA. The last couple of pages of this long thread could be very helpful to you. There is a very organized and extensive list of acceptances, deferrals, rejections for students (whose parents contribute to this thread) who have applied to an array of colleges around the U.S. Student stats and ECs are listed. This could give some kind of ball-park idea of what various schools seem to be looking for. A few of the students whose parents are on this thread have GPAs somewhat higher than 3.4, and many take honors classes, but none are the students you see on CC chancing the Ivies. All great kids with good options. I hope it will be encouraging to you.

18
  1. Talk with your parents about how much you can afford. If they can cover full costs at UC’s and CSU’s you’re good. Run the NPC on these first. Run the NPC on your other top choices. Show your parents the results. If they can afford something for privates, learn how much - being full pay will help at some colleges. Finally, figure out if you need to earn a merit scholarship.
  2. Don’t make a list till you know what’s affordable, don’t get attached to any college.
  3. Beside SDSU, which will be a safety if it’s affordable, you need two more safeties that you like and can afford, preferably one out of state or private since the UC system can be unpredictable but heavily weighs GPA, and CSU’s have a weighted GPA x sat score system with impacted majors . You need to calculate your UC GPA.
    4)In some states, you’re actually considered a minority which will help. The rigor of your curriculum also will help. You’ll have to be open minded. Look for colleges where not many classmates apply. Think outside the box.
  4. Start reading Fisk Guide and Colleges that change lives.
19

Although I will apply for scholarships, fees are not an issue in my situation.
My UC GPA (if it is my GPA of my 1st, 2nd sophomore semesters + 1st junior semester) is a straight 3.6.
I would also prefer to attend either the west or east coast.

20

Start working on killer essays. Look at some that others have cited as killer essays. Also, try to start thinking about what you might contribute to your new college community that only you can provide. And think about how to separate yourself from other Asians who might apply. That’s the demographic you are competing against.