<p>I am currently a sophomore and am planning on getting around a 225-235 on the PSAT as a junior. I've taken the SAT and got a 2310 and have done countless practice exercises since then (my main problem was Critical Reading, but I think I've pretty well corrected that). I really hope to become a National Merit Scholar, but I was wondering if my freshman grades would hurt my chances (my average was a B+). I've made extraordinary grades my sophomore year (with one AP class) in an attempt to make up for my freshman grades. If I score very highly on the PSAT, will the "people who decide the scholars" take my freshman grades into consideration, especially if I've made very, very good sophomore, junior, and senior grades with a rigorous course load? I really hope to become at least a semi-finalist! Anyway, thanks in advance!</p>
<p>jhupost…I wouldn’t worry about your freshman year grades hurting your chances whatsoever. If you’re able to get the score you’re anticipating on the PSAT you should be fine. If your SAT score is from later than October of your sophomore year (usually this is the case but the NMSF instruction sheet will confirm) then you’ve already met the requirement for a “validating” SAT score. Congrats on your fantastic SAT score, and Good Luck!!</p>
<p>Your grades are fine. having a few C’s or a D is what hurts a student. It sounds like your cum GPA is going to be more than fine. Besides, a B+ GPA is like a 3.5 or higher, right? If so, that alone is more than fine (without a few Cs or a D as semester grades). </p>
<p>BTW…typically on semester or year end grades show on transcripts, so even if a student has a low grade for a quarter, if the semester grade is better, that what will show.</p>