<p>I put this up on Yahoo answers but then i remembered that i was a member of this website and decided to just copy and paste what i wrote onto here. My reason for this was that i could discuss more things on here then just get two to three answers and not be able to ask anything back.
Please excuse bad grammar. I type differently then i write. </p>
<p>I'm in high school.
I had a 2.8 at the end of Freshmen Year because i really didn't know why grades were so important so i was happy with B's and C's. I thought they were good grades.(I was a dumb-ass)
I had a 2.1 at the end of Sophomore Year due to me having a laziness problem.(I was a double dumb-ass)
I now will have a 3.2 to 3.3 (Yes 3, no typo) at the end of my Junior Year. I and my counselor performed the calculations based on the grades i was getting and what i was expecting. Basically, I made up all of my D's and F's and made them A's. That along with taking extra classes and doing well this year. My GPA will not be lower then a 3.2.
By December of next year my GPA should be about 3.3 to 3.4(assuming i get a 3.2). Or 3.4 to 3.5(assuming i get a 3.3). This is just a random guess though. My weighted should be higher because next year I'm taking all honors and AP. So i suspect about a 3.5 to 3.6.</p>
<p>I am studying hard for my SAT and am expecting a score around 2000. Although i slacked off and didn't do the Homework or Classwork i did understand the material. I'm expecting a good 800 in math. I have answered all of them correct in about 4 or so practice test that I've done. My real problem will probably be in the writing portion where i suspect ill get no more then 600. The reading portion i'm good. I suspect around 740.
I plan to perform a lot of extracurriculars during the summer and get about 250hours+ worth of community service. I will also try to get a job. This will also carry into senior year.</p>
<p>I'm trying to get into Florida State University and if not then University of Central Florida.
Can you rate my chances on a 1-10 scale assuming i have a 3.6 weighted, a 3.4 unweighted, 2000 or so on the SAT, and 250+ community service? Also can you give me some tips on what i could do to help me stand out to these schools a bit more?</p>
<p>I also wish to know of what they will think of me. If getting bad grades and then getting good grades will damage my chances? Or not affect me because i brought up the grades.</p>
<p>I really only got serious about College in my Junior year and i wish i could go back in time to change everything but i cant and i have to deal. I understand that some people will think I'm dumb, and i am for not taking it seriously enough, but i would really appreciate all the help i can get.
To explain freshman year, nobody in my school or my house ever said anything about what it took to get into college. They just said get good grades. And since my school is filled with morons that think anything but an F is a good grade well...i got into that type of thinking.
That is until i realized what i wanted to do with my life. Which i then searched up. Which led me to all the things students do to get into college. Which made me slap myself in the face.
The laziness problem in sophomore year came from thinking that since i did good in freshman year, no i didn't, i could slack in sophomore year.</p>
<p>The upward trend of grades is a <em>good</em> thing. The laziness is not…but you probably know that already. Extenuating circumstances would’ve explained a lot of those mediocre grades, but it’s okay. As long as you’re pulling yourself up.<br>
FSU is a solid school, but let’s be real, it’s not impossible to get into. With a ~40% acceptance rate I think you’ll be good. UCF is kind of a randomness school [one of my friends got into FSU and waitlisted for UCF…weird, I know. He had a higher GPA but atrocious SAT…950/1600, about]. So yeah. In conclusion, keep the upward trend of grades and set yourself up for full Bright Futures [if you are in-state]. I think you’re definitely on the right track and have a solid shot at both. Best of luck!</p>
<p>Thank you so much for answering.
I think i can explain your friend. UCF cares for GPA and test scores while FSU cares for GPA, test scores, and the rigor of classes. His rigor of classes could have forgiven his scores for FSU but since UCF cares more for test scores then rigor i’m guessing they didn’t forgive it.
It would make sense but it’s just a guess.
I know that FSU isn’t impossible to get into. But considering my circumstances it is one of the better schools i can hope to get into. If i knew then what i know now. I would probably be one of the students on here asking for chances to the Ivy’s and the pseudo Ivy’s. Yes i’m in state and will apply for Bright Futures. </p>
<p>Three small questions.
I know this isn’t the right board to ask this but can you tell me when the right time to apply for a scholarship is?
Is it better to get about 50 hours of community service from a few different places or 300 from one or two places only?
Will the fact i’m Hispanic help or not really matter? I see some people on here give their ethnicity or race so i figure it has to be somewhat important.</p>
<p>Nah, he got into UCF. Who knows…all a crapshoot :rolleyes:
Anyway…with the Hispanic thing…yes and no. Bad luck for you but there’s Miami and Orlando - both huge populations of Hispanics. But how many of those go to college? Can’t say. So it’ll probably help out some - can’t hurt!
The important thing about volunteer hours is that you do them some place that <em>means</em> something to you. So, if you find that many places mean things to you - then by all means, go volunteer at many places. My personal opinion is that you should focus on one area that means something [I was a language teacher for ~75 hours - that’s how many you need for Bright Futures]. If you can juggle more…great. If not, then don’t worry about it.
Wait until your senior year to apply for a scholarship…scholarships. But, here…think about some common prompts. Like, the most significant event in your life, a person who means a lot to you and how they’ve impacted your life…etc. And write some things on them. To be honest, I used the same essay for the 4 schools I applied to [UF, FSU, UCF, USF] and I’ve gotten into all 4. FSU Honors is tentative, though.
I started looking into scholarships by myself my junior year though. I also took it upon myself to get cozy with the GCs [despite their low calibre work] at my school. Anything that’ll help. Get your name out there - start the process.
And on the Ivys/pseudo Ivys…eh. Undergrad isn’t all that and a bag of chips. You’ll do well at a solid state school. At least that’s what I keep telling myself. There are a ton of “what-ifs” [for me it was severe family problems and a kooky mom…] but you’ve just gotta pick up and move on! [:
Hang in there! x</p>
<p>I suppose you right. It can only help lol.
Your right. i really didn’t want to do hours at a place i didn’t really feel like i belonged their.
Yes its going to be scholarships. I suppose i worded my question wrong and thank you for the tips.
I agree completely. You can’t just give up on life.
Anyways i want to thank you again for calming my nerves down a bit and taking you time to help me.
The only thing i’m still really worried about is what they will think of me when they see those bad grades on the transcript. Of course they will be made up and be A’s but i doubt it wont affect me negatively.</p>
<p>The upwards trend can only help you.</p>