My sophomore year wasn't spectacular in terms of GPA. Has it ruined my chances at a top school?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

I know there is still a lot to be seen in what happens senior and junior year, but I’m rather worried of the effect this year might have on my college applications. Here are my grades:

Broadcast: A
Honors English: A
Art: A
AP World History: B
Honors Pre-Calculus: A-
Spanish: A-
Honors Physics: A

AP results aren’t out yet, but I’m confident I got either a 5 or a 4. But the grade I got in the class is the part that concerns me. It’s also the hardest course my school offers for sophomores.

I started really throwing myself into extraccuriculars. I started participating in MUN, and have 2 awards out of 3 conferences. I’ll also be going to an international conference next year, and chairing at my schools conference. I’m hispanic, and an international student. I founded two community service projects, one to help the underpriviliged youth with computer science education, and on to clean the beaches my country is known for. I joined NHS as well, which is selective in my school, accepting about 20 students out of 250. I got a 1220 on the PSAT, which isn’t particularly high, but I think I can raise it to at least a 1400 by the time the real SAT comes around. How hard can I compensate next year? I’m taking 3 AP courses and one honors, hoping to pull a 3.9 GPA (If I’m being realistic), weighted would be like a 4.45. Do you guys think I’ll have a chance? I feel like I need more leadership. And no sports because I have a back injury called spondylolisthesis so yeah. Used to play soccer at the minor league before the injury.

When I say top schools I mean about top 20.

2

Your GPA is a great match for top schools, and a 1400 SAT is an achievable increase from that PSAT score.

Keep constantly working on your EC’s- make sure you’re doing EC’s that you love and volunteering for causes that you connect with!

3

I’m glad to hear both my GPA and PSAT are within range! I’m hard at work on the EC’s. Me and my partner recently had a meeting with the municipality and are workign closely with them on the technology one, which I love. It’s been a huge eye opener. MUN is freaking awesome too. I’ll keep at it.

4

Your title is a little misleading. One B doesn’t ruin anyone’s chances at a top school. Calm down because it doesn’t mean anything. Keep up with your passionate community service projects and MUN and remember- “more leadership” isn’t exactly “better.” I’ve noticed that there is a myth that the amount of leadership positions one holds( ie MUN captain, EIC, debate president, Service club president, Etc.) will make them more attractive to colleges. THIS IS NOT TRUE and colleges see right through it. Leadership that demonstrates authentic potential and intellectual curiosity is what matters.