<p>SJ,</p>
<p>I haven’t read your essay so I don’t know the circumstances surrounding your sophomore year grades. What I do see is that even without the issues that befell you in 10th grade, it seems reasonable to assume that you would have gotten around a 3.3. </p>
<p>My suggestions are:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Forget about the rigor and weighted scale of your school. I think your talking yourself into a sense of false hope. Schools will either use your UW or convert it to a 5.0 W scale.</p></li>
<li><p>Look for schools where 3.3 - 3.5 is the 50th%-tile GPA. These will be your match and potentially safety schools. A slightly above average GPA, which 3.3 is, combined with high SATs (which you haven’t shared), implies someone who is good at taking tests but coasts a little bit in the classroom. Obviously there may be extenuating circumstances that explains the difference, but at first glance that’s my reaction.</p></li>
<li><p>Choose one of Hopkins or Cornell, do your research, show interest and apply ED. You just never know, it might work out, but don’t be crushed if it doesn’t. You have a chance, but not a great one.</p></li>
<li><p>Go to some of the chancing website on the net and see what their formulas come up with because…</p></li>
<li><p>Remember, while most of us are well intentioned here on CC, we are ALL just guessing.</p></li>
</ol>