<p>I don't want to ramble too much as I often do, but how much do colleges look at progress and improvement? For example, being an average C student up until sophomore or junior year, and then getting all As and Bs from thereon with 5+ AP classes and 8 classes total. That's pretty much my situation, to sum it up. Would I still be able to get into a decent college and not have to just settle with such a large improvement?</p>
<p>Most schools discount freshman year (and some schools like Stanford disregard it completely). That’s why the upward trend matters - especially for guys who mature a bit more slowly.</p>
<p>Make sure you get someone - a guidence counselor perhaps? - to comment on how you’ve turned yourself around academically and make sure your teachers and other recommenders talk about your potential.</p>