<p>I am currently a junior and starting to think about college. My dream schools consist of ivies and other top 30 schools. </p>
<p>As a Freshman, I had some unfortunate family things going on and was for the most part unconcerned with school. I had a 3.3 freshman year (thankfully no C's, just one B-). Since then, I have received only 1 B (with not the most rigorous schedule, but one tier down). It is quite hard to bring up a 3.3 GPA to anything seemingly competitive considering my school is notorious for issuing A-s as oppose to flat As. </p>
<p>On college confidential, every thread I have read showing accepted applicants' statistics consist of 3.9-4.0 UW GPAs. I'm wondering, is there any chance colleges will be able to pardon a (let's say) 3.65 GPA? I've heard it's all about the "upward trend" but I can't help but to wonder why out of so many applicants they would choose someone with a weak freshman year when they can have someone without one. </p>
<p>Assuming I have no hooks all my other stats are reasonably competitive (but not outlandish), anyone think I'd stand a chance at top tier schools such as (but not limited to) duke, upenn, brown, georgetown, wake forest, etc...with a 3.65 because of freshman year? </p>
<p>Also... if anyone knows of any particularly forgiving schools in this area that would be especially helpful ;) Thank you!</p>
<p>Have you studied statistics? If you had then you wouldn’t be making any conclusions based on the small sample size of people who post on CC. Look at section C of the Common Data Set for some of your favorite schools and you will see real data that will help you assess your chances.
Also, you will want to make sure you do well on the SAT or ACT, as well as continue to do well in the most rigorous course schedule you can handle.</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply BeanTownGirl. I have looked at other data of course, but it is quite consistent with CC reported data. Top schools generally say you need a 3.8-4.0 UW and without freshman year I will have around a 3.8, so I’m wondering how freshman year’s 3.3 will be affect my chances. Thanks</p>
<p>I think below a 3.8 it will be difficult to get into an ivy league. However if you have great test scores, well written essays and great EC’s maybe…</p>
<p>There are plenty of great schools that might be a fit for you that aren’t ivies…</p>
<p>@happymomof1 that’s a great idea. Originally I had planned to write about it in the additional info section, but seems like maybe my guidance counselor writing about it would work too. Any suggestion as to which is better? </p>
<p>@Erin’s Dad yes and yes (I attend a top 50 public school in state), but it is generally the very best students admitted to the ivies.</p>
<p>I’m wondering why people feel the need to mention that there are other good schools that aren’t Ivies. Only two of the schools you listed is an Ivy… </p>
<p>Anyway…
I’m sure the improvement will be impressive, but even the most qualified applicants are nowhere near guaranteed admission in schools like that. I do believe it’s possible for you to get in, but you should definitely look into some safeties. Drop down a tier or two, and you’ll still find prestigious schools filled with intelligent people, but ones that have better chances of acceptance and better chances of giving you generous merit aid (not sure if that matters to you, but who doesn’t like free money?)</p>
<p>I think doing well on the SAT/ACT would bring your chances up a whole lot, too. I’m assuming you haven’t taken them yet since you didn’t state scores, but if you do well on those, I’m sure it’ll make you look even better!</p>
<p>Overall, chances for anyone at schools like those are slim, and you’re no different. However, I do see a possibility of you getting accepted. Apply to them (maybe shorten your list of reaches a bit) but also look at some matches and safeties. </p>
<p>@kittycatwindow thank you for the very well thought out response! I definitely plan to apply to matches and safeties as well, just was kind of curious whether or not these reaches would be futile or not. :)</p>
<p>Princeton doesn’t even consider freshman year in calculating GPA, so that’s something you can look into. There may be a few other schools that don’t as well; regardless, just apply as long as they’re your forte. A 3.65 GPA isn’t terribly bad contrary to what a lot of people on this site would have you believe. Even if you don’t fall into the ranges for some Ivy League schools, you can find a place at a ton of top-30/50 schools depending on your test scores. You may find after a bit of exploring or snooping around, though, that you’d actually be perfectly fine at your state flagship (or its affiliates), and that’s never anything to be embarrassed about.</p>
<p>Everyone should apply to a reach so they don’t regret anything, but even if you had a 4.0 your freshman year it wouldn’t make a reach school or any Ivy a shoe in for acceptance. You sound like a hard working and bright student … Create your full list with reach, good fit, and safety, and don’t be surprised if you end up at a good fit with merit money to boot. </p>
<p>And while Princeton may be an Ivy that ignores freshman year, make sure it is a school where you would fit in and like the atmosphere. Each Ivy and highly selective school has a personality so you want to match yourself to maximize your academic and social opportunities.</p>
<p>Is it possible to recover from a relatively unimpressive freshman year?</p>
<p>Absolutely. There are lots of good colleges where you can be admitted with a strong record in grades 10 & 11 (and the fall of 12), and a supportive explanation from your guidance counselor.</p>
<p>Can you get into Duke, Penn, Brown, Georgetown or Wake Forest with that transcript? </p>
<p>Nobody can really tell you for sure. Nobody could really tell you for sure even if your freshman year were as strong as sophomore and junior years.</p>