<p>so i know there's probably been a million threads like this, but i'd like to give it a shot.
right now i'm a sophmore in highschool and i'm starting to worry about college admissions. i would say i'm doing pretty mediocre right now, my weighted gpa is 3.7 and my rank is 255 out of 1150.
i think i screwed up second semester of freshman year when i got a 3.4 and this lowered my overall gpa greatly. however, now as a sophmore i'm trying to get back on track. yet, if i were to be enrolled in all honors & ap classes and got straight A's the highest gpa i'd be able to get is a weighted 4.3 by senior year which would hopefully put me in the top 3% of my class.
so my question is, what can i do as a sophmore to start compensating for my low gpa. i'm going to work hard to get an amazing ACT/SAT score, get A's in my AP classes, do extremely well extra curric wise, and so on. But any other suggestions? i volunteer at the hospital for over 50 hours so far.
and would i have a chance for a regular admission to northwestern?</p>
<p>honestly, enjoy high school life while you can. don't worry about colleges, just remain doing well. don't base your college choices on names, but on colleges where you feel you would be comfortable. YOU DO NOT NEED TO GO TO A "SELECTIVE" COLLEGE IN ORDER TO RECEIVE A GOOD EDUCATION AND EXCEL IN THE REAL WORLD. there is WAY too much emphasis on getting into a "good" college in this freaking country! you're stressing out for no reason, just keep on working to the best of your abilities and having fun in high school!</p>
<p>honestly. relax. your thinking way to much about this. just keep your grades up and you'll be fine. and there is no possible way to tell if you have a chance at NW. and you dont need to "compensate" for a low gpa. a 4.3 is not a low gpa.</p>
<p>also, if your parents have anything to do with this, which usually they do, tell them to shut up and that they'll still have something to brag about if you get into any college at all. :)</p>
<p>Don't listen to these people. Worry as much as you can and do the best as you can. The applicant pools are becoming super competitive these days...</p>
<p>My only suggestion to add to your list is doing as many EC's as possible for what you're passionate about, and try to be a leader of any clubs involving it.</p>
<p>^^ wasting your high school career worrying about getting into college will drive you insane. you WILL be accepted somewhere, and that place is better somewhere where you will be comfortable versus somewhere with a credible name. do the best you can do and enjoy your high school years. it's really that simple.</p>
<p>^ Your level of comfort and your emotions don't get you a job. The places you've been and the things you've done do.</p>
<p>^you're misunderstanding what i am saying. i am saying that hard work and enjoying yourself pays off. she's a freaking sophomore for crying out loud, don't psych the kid out. my father went to miami university, a good university but not an ivy or highly selective, and is now the vice president of an international consulting company and making $100K+ a year. hard work will get you where you want to go in life, and you can get a job without going to a name-recognition school. that is what i am saying.</p>
<p>1) Don't make getting into a particular college your life's goal. There are just too many factors outside of your control. Make your goal to maximize your own intellectual and social growth. Your plan sounds good, except for the focus on a specific college or the college admissions process.</p>
<p>2) Focus on doing your best academically. If you did your best and it falls short of an A, be proud of your best and don't beat yourself up. </p>
<p>3) Do the EC's that you want to do and become the person that you want to be. There is no one right way. Get some exercise and find things that you enjoy. Don't do things that you don't enjoy just to look good for college. </p>
<p>4) Find a way to be happy and don't make yourself crazy with worry and make sure you get enough sleep. Sleep deprivation has been shown to retard cognitive development. </p>
<p>We live in a nation with many great colleges and you'll have an opportunity to make a list of reaches matches and safeties and will ultimately go to a good college with your intellectual peers. </p>
<p>BTW, how do you know your rank as a sophomore?</p>