My GPA is 88 right now, and its getting lower since I moved to a school where all of the classes are extremely hard. I will be lucky if I come out with an 80 average this year. I to go to NYU, UGA, or Emory. I have a lot of ECs, but I don’t think it will make up for my grades. Will it help that my school is extremely challenging? Do I meet these schools requirements? I really don’t want to go to any other schools, but any suggestions that I might like? I really don’t know what to do about my future right now.
Those colleges are very challenging too, especially NYU and Emory. they want to admit students who can handle the workload. Not getting into a top ranked university is not the end of the world.
Try to do really well on you SAT or ACT. You will be fine, your essays should be really good, and if your taking hard courses that will give you some leeway, ALSO your essays are the vocal point of any application let the school know that you moved schools any hardships that caused your gpa not be so great. Show that you did the best you could and no matter what and you’re super hardworking. Take leadership positions and try to do everything so you can distract them from looking at your GPA. I’m sure you’ll be fine and you have a good chance getting into UGA
Don’t get hung up on any school. You can apply to these 3 and hope for the best. Search for schools that will be safeties and matches. You don’t need to know what to do about your future right now, you just need to have a plan (multiple actually). I am not sure why you feel you don’t want to go to any other schools but you may find that there are other schools out there that you can be really happy at. Keep an open mind and afford yourself the opportunity to have options to chose from when the time comes. Good luck.
Consider these your dream schools.
Now’s the time to start the real work of finding realistic schools you like - similar enough to the schools above but more likely, and two safeties where our know you’ll get in, like, and can afford.
You can take a year and raise your grades in community college and apply as a transfer.
But also please consider whether you can pay for your dream schools. NYU for example has really lousy FA. If UGA is out of state, it will also be expensive.