<p>I with I had never found out about this website, so I could happily think that I had a chance to realize my dreams. I dream of going to Stanford, even though I can't take any AP classes yet, only have 2 Honors classes available, and <em>gasp horror</em> only have a 3.75 GPA in this, my freshman year. </p>
<p>I have unfortunately found out the reality, that without being a recruited athlete, or getting a 4.0 UW GPA in all APs, a 2400 SAT on the 1600 scale, and proving that P = NP, I have slim-to-none chance of living my dream of a world class education! Why did I even bother getting interested in all this?</p>
<p>What is the point of even having these schools if no one without legacy, curing cancer or enough money to afford private HADES high schools and years of SAT tutoring plus running lots of clubs can get in. "The wind of freedom blows" indeed...</p>
<p>You know that several Ivy League schools don’t even look at freshman GPA, right? This includes Stanford, if I recall correctly …</p>
<p>And no, Stanford does not factor in freshman GPA … I guess the moral is: learn from your mistakes this year, and do better next year - and try self-studying some APs since you don’t have any :)! </p>
<p>The reality is that not everyone can get into an Ivy League school, but the reality also is that not getting into a top tier school does not preclude you from success in life. </p>
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<p>I agree - legacy admissions are unfair. Still, don’t be so morose. Cheer up, look at the happy side, and realize that one, your freshman GPA is excellent, two, Stanford doesn’t care about your freshman GPA, and three, not getting into a top-tier school does not preclude you from success in life :).</p>
<p>I know many more people with less than 4.0s that have gotten into Ivies than people with 4.0s and perfect stats. Relax and do whatever you love! That’s seriously the best way to get into college. Be honest to yourself.</p>
<p>Yeah, I agree with the 2 posts also you’re only a Freshman. I did things I wished I shouldn’t done in my freshman year. I got my first C in my Physics class and I was my first. I felt the same way you did. But I realized that I let this bring me down, and took action and put time in my work. You never know, you could really surprise yourself if you really work hard.</p>
<p>Don’t worry (: You have three years to get there! Just stay focused, work hard in your classes, challenge yourself, and find extracurricular activities that you enjoy! You don’t need an expensive SAT tutor, just start taking practice tests early, and I’ve heard that the official Blue Book really helps. Read a lot! That’s a way to naturally help improve both your reading comprehension and writing, and you can even have fun while you do it, if you pick books that you enjoy. Also, start thinking about other schools. Stanford is a tough one to have as a dream school for even the 4.0UW/2400 kids, but it’s just one of MANY schools. As you find out about more, you may fall in love with other campuses, other programs.</p>
<p>@IceQube: Stanford doesn’t really care about GPA at all-- only rank. And, coincidentally, almost all high schools include freshman GPA into rank. Eh, just a point of fact.</p>