<p>The last year and a half have been really rough for me. Let's say I've been dealing with some emotional turmoil. If I get my stuff together by senior year and really have a spectacular one is there a possibility of getting into a really great school? Could they view my turn around as a plus?</p>
<p>Colleges like to see an upward trend in grades and that could help make up for bad grades freshman year. It depends on just how badly you did and whether or not you really have a valid excuse for not doing well. You should explain to the colleges what you were going through that caused your grades to slip.</p>
<p>Thanks taft10</p>
<p>Anymore takers?</p>
<p>Please? I’m worried about this. Is there anyone else?</p>
<p>It really does depend on where you’re applying, what your more recent grades are at the time of applying, and whether or not it shows an upward trend. Basically, what taft10 said. Do you mind giving us any specifics so we can better assess the situation?</p>
<p>What is your situation?</p>
<p>What are your current GPA? </p>
<p>You might get better grades next fall, but colleges won’t know how your second semester will be at the time of acceptance. </p>
<p>What are your test scores?</p>
<p>What would your budget be? Getting accepted is only half the battle…paying the costs is the other.</p>
<p>How bad are your grades, and how high are you aiming?</p>
<p>Well my school doesn’t have letter grades, percentages, or GPAs so all we get are written reports on our work that year. </p>
<p>Test scores:
APs: U.S. History(3), Aeneid (4), English Lang (pending)
PSAT: 205
I’ll be taking the SATs and a few SAT2s by application time.</p>
<p>I’m on scholarship in high school so I think I’ll probably be able to qualify for it in college but money won’t be an object- I’ll figure something out if it’s my dream school.</p>
<p>I’m not quite sure where to aim. Obviously, I’d LOVE to go to Harvard, Yale, etc but I’m not going to hold my breath. I’m looking at Babson, University of Maryland and University of Texas as more realistic choices.</p>
<p>ECs include dance (2 yrs), chorus (3 yrs), photo (2 yrs), ceramic (1.5 years), as well as founding credits in a nonprofit.</p>
<p>anymore help is welcome!</p>
<p>Anymore takers?</p>
<p>You’re probably not eliminated from Babson, UM, or UT, but it’s really hard to tell without any kind of conventional grade. I can say that only based on AP scores. </p>
<p>However, I think the liklihood that colleges will overlook bad marks due to an emotional issue depends on what happened that caused your grades to slip. If you don’t want to post it on here, that’s fine. Our opinion doesn’t really matter. It is definitely something you should discuss with your guidance counselor, though. See if they feel that it is something worth mentioning, and if so they should mention it in their recommendation. Colleges will have an easier time finding credence in a story that comes from your GC than from you alone. It’s also an opportunity for your GC to talk about how well you overcame the hardship (if that is true).</p>