I really messed up my freshman and sophomore years of HS. I’m currently applying to schools standing at an 82 weighted GPA with a class rank of 112/153.
Freshman year: 81
Sophomore year: 78
Junior year: 87
Senior year Q1 (ongoing): 92
My SAT scores are relatively higher than what you’d expect from a student like me, with a 1280 660 EBRW, 620 Math.
My EC’s are VERY strong. Won’t list them off obviously.
I hate myself right now. My dream school is CU Boulder, and I know it’s very unlikely I will get in. I’m also applying to U of Oregon, West Chester University of PA, Suffolk University, Colorado State, and a few others. I honestly don’t think I will get in anywhere. I’m mostly worried about how my class rank will be perceived, as it is bordering on the bottom quarter of my class. I do go to a fairly competitive high school, so it might heighten my chances a slight amount, but I’m so regretful about my lack of care for my freshman/sophomore years. Anyone have an idea of what I should expect? Maybe apply to CC? I’m from NY state BTW.
What’s your EFC and what can your parents afford?
You will get zero financial aid from either UOregon or CUBoulder. They’d be terribly expensive - expect 50K a year (and you are only allowed a 5.5K loan, so unless you’ve saved 5K from a job your parents have 40K*4 for your college, they’ll be unaffordable).
Run the NPC (net price calculator) for all collegs.
You have a good shot at Millersville or Bloomsburg. West Chester is a high match.
Apply to SUNYs: Cortland, Oswego, Oneonta. Plattsburgh is a good match. They will be just as good as WCU or other PASSHE schools.
You could apply to (SUNY) TC3 and its honors program, then try to transfer to SUNY Albany/Bing/Geneseo. It’s got dorms and should be fairly cheap for you as a NYS resident. And as a CC for NYS residents, it’d be a guaranteed admission, the ultimate safety, and 2 years to show what you’re capable of.
If you don’t have budget constraints, you could apply to a Penn State branch, keeping in mind you’d have to enter two choices, with one of Behrend/Altoona/Harrisburgh (the residential, 4-year campuses which can also serve as a 2-year step to the “main” campus) being1st choice as matches and others like Abington, Greater Allegheny, or Scranton being essentially commuter campuses but guaranteed if you put them as a 2nd choice.
Do you prefer public universities or private colleges?
Please do not hate yourself. Your grades show a nice upward trajectory and your SAT scores are very good. You also have great ECs . You have a lot going for you on a college application.
Also, please remember that the pool of students is dropping, college is a business and they need students.
Work with your guidance counselor to cast a wide net. Make sure you have some schools with a 70% acceptance rate or higher. It looks like you want to get out of NYS which I understand. There is a whole world out there and after graduation, NY is an expensive state to live in that doesn’t always have the job opportunities.
Everything will be ok. Just keep working on that GPA. Get your applications in and see what happens. Don’t forget to choose people to write your letters of recommendation who are good writers and will speak favorably of you.
Lastly I will share with you that one of the most successful people I know states that the most successful people he has worked with are the B students. He said he actually looks for them when he hires. He says that they are well rounded individuals who can function in the workplace and have traits that lead to success.
So breathe. One step at a time. Finish your applications to a variety of schools. You will find your place.
My friend’s daughter is at Boulder with scores not that much higher than yours. Show the schools that you’ve figured it out; that you’re on that upward trajectory. You sound like a kid that schools would like to have!