<p>I messed up really bad in my freshman year Spanish 1 class, in which I got a D grade. In my other classes however I got straight A's with 1 B, and all of those classes were Honors, AP, or Pre-IB/AP, with the exception of NJROTC and a mandatory technical course. The Spanish grade brought my GPA down to a 3.428. I retook the Spanish class over the summer online and got an A. My GPA was recalculated to a 3.857, but my old Spanish grade is still on my transcript. I am now a Junior and have maintained straight A's in all of my classes. This year and next year all my classes are AP with the exception of Spanish, NJROTC, and a Law Enforcement career class. I took 1 AP class in both my freshmen and sophomore years. I plan to graduate with a 3.789 GPA, not including my recalculated Spanish grade. I have consistently scored around 1850 in the SAT's and in the low 30's in the ACT's, and am continually retaking both to try to increase my scores.</p>
<p>I have been a member of the Cross Country and Crew teams since my freshman year and will again next year. For both teams I have been varsity since this year and will be again next year. I will also be Captain of the Crew team next year.</p>
<p>I also participated in the History and Debate teams since my freshmen year, and have served in minor leadership positions in both since my sophomore year. I plan to run for president of both teams, and it seems like I have a pretty good chance of winning each. If I win both, I may resign from office of one of them.</p>
<p>I have also been in Navy JROTC since my freshman year and will be next year. The following terminology wont be familiar with those who aren't in JROTC, but I was Squad Leader my freshman year, MPO my Sophomore year and this year, and I will be Admins. Assistant and Platoon commander next year. All of them are respectable leadership positions. I have been on the Academic Team of JROTC since my freshman year and will again next year.</p>
<p>My question is does my Spanish 1 grade from my freshman year prevent me from going to a upper-tier college? I didn't do so horrible in the class because I was lazy and didn't put forth any effort, but because the teacher was cruel and unaccommodating virtually to the point of abuse. I wont put this on my college app because I don't want to look like I'm trying to shed the blame on somebody else.</p>
<p>The colleges I want to attend, in order of preference, are: 1) The Military Academy A.K.A. West Point, 2) The Air Force Academy, 3) The Coast Guard Academy, 4) Duke,
5) Notre Dame, 6) University of Florida, and 7) The Naval Academy. It should also be noted that I have cousins in the both the Coast Guard Academy and at West Point and both my grandfather and great grandfather were graduates of the Naval Academy. I know family preference plays a role at the Academies, but I don't know to what degree. Do I have what it takes to get into these colleges? I don't want to get my hopes high only to have to go to a B school.</p>
<p>Will my one horrible Spanish grade prevent me from going to one of my dream colleges? Aside from the Spanish grade, do I have what it takes? Has anyone been through a similar situation or heard of someone with 1 BIG blemish but otherwise stellar record being admitted to a great school? Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated!</p>