Is this ok or should I try harder?

Applying to College
1

<p>All right I am currently a sophomore in high school and my GPA is 3.417. I take Advanced Algebra 2 with Trigonometry Honors and have a B, LA honors and have an A, Chemistry Honors and I have a low A(my teacher is a mean lady that likes to constantly remind the class that her daughter went to MIT....she grades everybody low), Regular Spanish 4 and have an A, AP Comp Sci and I have ****(probably am going to drop out), American Studies Honors and have an A. </p>

<p>I used to be in Science Olympiad in the Construction events but I did not do it this year because I was becoming really busy. I am in Waksman which is a sort of Bio-Engineering club afterschool. I am also in an Economic Club. I play soccer and I do tai-kwon-doe. </p>

<p>My mom wants me to goto Cornell for Mechanical Engineering(She is indian. She dreams really high.) When I took the SAT 1 back in 8th grade I got 1860. So do you think if I continue at this rate I would possibly be able to get into Cornell?</p>

2

<p>Your grades are good, but your GPA seems a little low so you must have had some lower grades last year. Really though, freshman and sophomore year are the least important and you have very good grades now.</p>

3

<p>ya my GPA dropped a bit actually from AP Comp Sci. I have a really bad grade. I just do not get programming the way my teacher wants me to and he takes off points for everything even if the program works, its just not how he would have done it. Actually, does mechanical engineering actually have any programming involved? Like is it worth that I should take the class and do poorly or should I take some other class(probably Computer Graphics) and get good grades?</p>

4

<p>Delete all your games, unplug your cable, unsubscribe that internet, then we can talk.</p>

<p>…ok but yeah the GPA’s gotta rise. Just make sure you won’t have to pad your resume the last year of HS.</p>

5

<p>^ Have you taken the SATs again, 1860 is very good for eighth grade.</p>

6

<p>You can always try harder… even a Nobel Prize winner can… </p>

<p>Come on… try and give some competitiveness to our country. America needs more dedicated people!!! </p>

<p>“I have offended God and mankind because my work did not reach the quality it should have.”
-Leonardo Da Vinci’s last words. </p>

<p>For Cornell, you would need a miracle to get in with those stats so far.</p>

7

<p>If you’re wondering if you should try harder, i.e. you know that you’re capable of putting in more effort and doing even better, then… you should try harder. </p>

<p>Also, your SAT is very good for eighth grade. Did you take the PSAT this year? If not, and if you’re worried about your SAT, you can buy some prep material to see where you are.</p>

8

<p>It looks to me like your mom would like you to do engineering but maybe that isn’t where your interests or skills are given that you have a B in math and a bad grade in CS. What are you really interested in?</p>

9

<p>You are going to Cornell. Just tell 'em your mom sent you. Oh, and show them your SATs on the way in. I am serious as your SAT scores are outstanding for an 8th grade result! Your courses are quite demanding and will get you noticed.</p>

10

<p>I took a few practice PSATs and the real one yesterday(during homecoming…i had to miss the dance along with 200 other sophomores). I usually got between 205 and 225 but one time i got 176. i musta been half asleep or something.
As for my B in math, i just happened to get the hardest out of the three teachers that teach the course. but some older kids told me that they essentially learn more out of her than the kids who did not have her. another question, how do u tell colleges if u get that hardest teachers and thats why u get a lower grade and its not just because ur stupid?
I want to pursue mechanical engineering with cars. My mom just wants me to get into a college with a reputation. haha my mom got really ****ed about my 1860 when my other friend got 2040.
haha I know I can try harder, everybody can try harder. I just want to know if I need to. Like, should I start staying up late into the night studying and working or is the rate at which I am going ok. It helps because then I can adjust sports and other stuff I do around school. What would be an ideal GPA? Im aiming to get around 3.6 or 3.7 around senior year.</p>

11

<p>At the moment your GPA is really low is it (W or UW?) for Cornell aim for probably around 3.7.</p>

<p>If you get as high as you currently getting on the PSAT on your SAT I think you stand a good chance.</p>

<p>As for teachers, don’t complain. Everybody has to deal with those types of teachers, colleges won’t care…</p>

12

<p>uhh its the one without the extra point thing added for every honors and AP class you take.</p>