Late Starter

Applying to College
1

<p>Ok, here is my problem....
I have always told myself that I would go away to college when the time came. Recently I have been looking into colleges, and not only do I want to go away but I would absolutely love to get into a "good" college. The majority of the colleges that sparked interest with me are LAC's, but not all of them. I am going to need to make a major shift if I want to attend some of the colleged I am hoping.</p>

<p>One of my weak points is my GPA. I only have a 3.75 weighted, and I am not sure but about unweighted. The only honors classes that I have taken so far are Honors English 9 and 10, and so far no AP's. This is not good.
Next year I am taking Honors Eng. 11, and AP Gov.
Senior year I hope to take AP Eng, AP Spanish (IV), and hopefully an honors science. I really need to work on my GPA and getting more AP/honors. My rank is: 56/446 which is about top 12%. My school is not highly competitive and does not put a huge emphasis on honors or AP. The variety of AP/ honors classes that my school has is not a huge, (a good bit of them are in math which is not my thing.)</p>

<p>As far as tests go, I took the ACT for practice once. I did not do well, but I did not expect to since I had not taken Algebra II or Chemistry. This summer I am taking a class to help boost my score on it. </p>

<p>My EC's are also weak.
I had a job my the summer after my Freshman year, and I have been volunteering in the pharmacy of a hospital as well as volunteering at an adult daycare facility for people with dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
Junior year I am gonig to get way more involved in school as well as community service. For next year I am already in student council and a business club (BPA.)</p>

<p>Here are some of the colleges I have been looking into and like:
- Macalester (definitely top choice so far)
- Lewis and Clark
- Emerson
- University of Michigan</p>

<p>I know these colleges have pretty high standards and I need to improve all aspects of what colleges look for. I really hope I can get about a 4.0 after my Junior year, and I know I will get more involved in things. </p>

<p>What do all of you think? Have my first two years screwed me up? Has the fact that I do not have a many AP/honors classes pretty much ruined my chances? Are the colleges I listed just simply too much for me to hope for?</p>

<p>Any input would be appreciated!</p>

2

<p>I hate people like you who ***** about having a 3.75. Shut up really.</p>

3

<p>lut711 said 3.75 weighted...not unweighted. </p>

<p>lut711: "One of my weak points is my GPA. I only have a 3.75 weighted, and I am not sure but about unweighted."</p>

<p>IMO, there's a huge difference.</p>

4

<p>Paco... I agree with you. I just am not sure of the unweighted. I dont think it could be a whole lot lower since the only 5 point classes ive taken is Honors Eng in 9th and 10th, and Ive done well in those. </p>

<p>jPod... Im honestly sorry, I did not intend to say a 3.75 is absolutely awful, its just that for what I hope to get into I dont know if it will cut it.</p>

5

<p>The most critical thing for you to do is study hard and score high on the ACT or SAT; a high score can help make up for a GPA weakness. Other than that, getting involved is a good idea, and make sure you work especially hard next year since junior year is the most important to colleges.</p>