<p>I go to one of the top public high schools in the state of Massachusetts, but the problem is, my GPA is very low. I will be going into my junior year and my GPA is a 2.5, and the sole reason for this is because I have been very lazy and have not tried the least bit. I have finally realized how important high school is, and I will begin applying myself to the fullest extent and getting mostly A's, with the exception of a few B's. After my junior year, my GPA should be around 2.7. I will be applying to a college after my 1st semester of senior year, so I can use the 1st semester to raise my GPA as well. My main question is, how much weight does going to a good high school add to your GPA? Also, with my grades, what colleges would I have a chance at?</p>
<p>Well, with a GPA of 2.7 or w/e I can't imagine the competitiveness of your HS would make that big of a difference (unless it's a top prep school, which it's not) if you're thinking of really competitive colleges. I guess it'd help if you had amazing SATs but you'd still most likely be out of the running at top colleges unless you have special circumstances (athlete, URM, etc)</p>
<p>The best place to check would be your grade level counselor & your college counselor. Explain to them what you've posted & show your teachers & counselors you've "seen the light" and will be taking a much more active role in learning all you can at HS. This will allow them to advocate for you in the recs, which you will need to get into schools that would otherwise turn you down based on your grades.</p>
<p>Smaller schools tend to be more personalized about applications rather than just going "by the numbers." These might be more open to seeing the rising trend in your grades.</p>
<p>Try reading "Colleges that Change Lives," and similar books about schools that will work with students & read deeper in college aps. Glad you have decided to take advantage of your current educational opportunities--good choice!</p>
<p>The HS my kids attend is one of the best in our state as well. The most selective schools still want the best kids from our HS, but just about all the kids at the HS get into 4-year colleges where they're happy & succeed. The counselors are able to help the kids identify appropriate colleges the HS has good relationships with, where similar students have succeeded.</p>
<p>I really want to go to Colorado State University, do you think I would have a chance at that with decent SAT/ACT scores. If not CSU, what about UMass?</p>