So, my freshman year I got into a really competitive private school, which regularly sends out kids to great schools like HYP, etc. I went to an alright public middle school, and I was able to BS my way through grades because I was smart enough. My freshman year at a top private school, I struggled a lot with the transition and I was under a lot of emotional tensions–I had even went to a counselor for the first time in my life–though I’m not one for excuses. Anyhow, I ended up with a 3.0 uw gpa my freshman year due to class misplacement and some other mix-ups. Most of the grades were A-s and B+s, and then two C range grades (French) and one D (Math)–ouch! My sophomore year, I did really well with a 3.7 and junior year (this year) a 4.0. Note that all these grades are unweighted and my school doesn’t weight stuff and I am taking the most advanced course load available in all subjects except French. 3.0–>3.7–>4.0 is my upward grade trend, which I am sure adcoms will notice, but my uw when applying will be a 3.6 gpa. I have very good, and very, very unique ECs, 400 hrs community services, and internships under my belt. I do expect glowing teacher recs as well. I am taking the new SAT and expecting a 1500+/1600 and I got a 2280 (meh) on the old SAT.
My question is: Should I bother looking at any Ivies, particularly Columbia, which I love, or should I dumb down my expectations?
I think the upward trend is significant enough that if the rest of your post is correct you have a chance just about anywhere. Obviously, “top ten” schools are difficult to get into for anyone, but admissions committees try to be holistic and if a 3.0 freshman year isn’t forgivable than they aren’t really keeping with that aim. Consider explaining your lackluster early performance in your application, but only if you can do so in a more persuasive way than saying the classes were mismatched or the transition to high school was difficult (because college classes and the transition to college is also difficult). If you can point to some unique circumstance during that time you could stand to benefit but honestly if i were you i wouldn’t worry that much because I think you have a shot at some great schools given your credentials.
You probably want to talk with your high school counselor and ask them to explain your situation. If your counselor can highlight the fact that your low gpa is due to your lackluster freshman grades but with a huge upward trend then you won’t need to explain it separately to colleges.
Aside from that, I wouldn’t bring it up on your essays unless the reason due to your poor freshman GPA was illness, family emergency, etc etc.