I've got bad grades- can I still be accepted to an Ivy league?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

I’m a junior in a public High School in a suburban area. So far, I have messed my transcript up terribly ( Haven’t gotten over a 3.1 GPA/ grades range from Bs to Fs). I want to know what can be done to still get accepted

For example

  • Playing starting lineup in a Varsity sport (maybe 2)?
  • How many AP exams with scores of 5 would be needed?
  • How many extra-curricular activities and which ones specifically?
  • How many community service hours?
  • Playing an instrument professionally (piano)/ competing in art competitions
  • Speaking over 5 foreign languages
  • Getting perfect SAT/ACT scores
  • (I’ve got a single mom with illness, 3 kids, supported by extended family)
  • Competitions / volunteering (where/which ones?)
  • work hours
  • Charity
  • perfect GPA (over 4.0 because of AP classes) starting second semester of Junior year and 2 semesters Senior year
  • College classes at community college

My family doesn’t have money, (My aunt works and we live off of that and welfare) so I probably need some kind of scholarship ( were not U.S citizens)

What is possible to do to have a realistic chance to be accepted – and I know this is ridiculous to even THINK about at this point-- to an Ivy League College??
Is this even possible?
Is there anything I can do to improve my chances?

2

Students with 'F’s getting into Ivy is exceedingly rare.

BTW, schools generally like the unweighted GPA because it doesn’t hide so much (like F’s).

You should put your efforts into finding a quality school at which you can get solid financial aid. Ivy isn’t the answer.

3

Also, since you are not US citizens, you will have a difficult time finding aid.

4

You’re a junior. It’s already January. It’s a wee bit late to be talking Ivy League…

5

I’m curious about how you’re planning to get that “perfect 4.0” if you already have some less than perfect grades on your transcript.

Also, it doesn’t sound as though your grades have been a high priority up to this point. So why the interest in an Ivy?

6

No.

With a 3.1 GPA you need to be looking at schools that accept 75% or more of their applicants.
The schools in the Ivy League (and many other top schools as well) accept less than 10% of their applicants.
Move on and start looking elsewhere.

7

Honestly, the best thing you could do is stop wasting your time dreaming about the ivy league and get to work on something within reach. Maybe later you can go to an ivy league school for grad school. But you need A’s, top test scores, and stellar recommendations, so start lining those things up now by being at the top of your class from here on out.

8

As you said, it is “ridiculous” for you to be contemplating an Ivy league admission. Why would you get in?

Focus your efforts on improving your grades and then apply to appropriate schools with your GPA.

9

@sophy1398 - if you are a US permanent resident, then you can most certainly get aid. However getting accepted to colleges that meet full need may be a challenge.

Why did you get such poor grades? Was it because the course work was too difficult, because you simply did not try, or because of other factors?